Cuccidati

Cuccidati: Step by Step

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1. Soak the figs, dates and raisins in warm water 30 minutes, then drain them well.

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2. Mince the soaked fruit with the walnuts and almonds, or pulse in short bursts — it must stay granular, never smooth.

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3. Stir in the honey, orange zest and juice, cinnamon, cloves and marsala. Set aside.

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4. Rub the butter into the flour, then work in the sugar, eggs, baking powder, salt and milk to a soft pastry. Wrap and refrigerate 1 hour.

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5. Roll a quarter of the pastry into a long strip 10 cm wide. Pipe a rope of filling down the centre.

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6. Fold the pastry over the filling and seal, then roll the log seam side down.

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7. Cut on the diagonal into 4 cm pillows and notch the outer curve of each with scissors. Repeat with the rest.

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8. Bake at 180°C / 355°F fan / 200°C / 390°F / gas 6 for 20 minutes, until pale gold — they should not brown.

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9. Cool, then beat the icing sugar with the water and dip the tops. Add sprinkles before the icing sets.

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Related guide: Prep, cook and total time.

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What Can Go Wrong

1. Mince the filling, never blend it smooth.
2. Chill the pastry hard or it will tear rather than seal.
3. Pale gold only. Browned cuccidati go hard.

To Go With It

Espresso · Marsala · A tin to give away

Leftovers

In a tin for 3 weeks and they improve. Freeze unfrosted for 3 months.

Quick Answers

Cuccidati Nutrition

Per serving, an approximate calculation from the ingredient list. Treat it as a rough guide: an ingredient listed without an amount is not counted, so the figures run low. The calories include 1 g of alcohol a serving, which is not part of the protein, carbohydrate or fat. How the figures are worked out.