Grandma Lena’s Cucidati’s

Bake 375° for 8-10 minutes

Cucidati Filling

Ingredients

• 1 C Raisins
• ½ lb Dates
• 1 b Figs
• 1 Small Can Crushed Pineapple (Do Not Grind)
• 1 Small Orange (Grind Whole)
• ¼ c Sugar
• 3 tbsp Honey
• 1 tbsp Cinnamon
• 1 c Pecans (Chopped)
• 1 Shot Whiskey or Rum

Preparation

• Grind all fruit (except pineapple).
• Mix fruit, sugar, and honey in saucepan and bring to boil.
• Simmer for a few minutes.
• Stir in cinnamon, chopped pecans, and whiskey/rum.
• Let mixture come down to room temperature.
• Store in refrigerator overnight.

Cucidati Dough

Ingredients

• 6 Eggs (beaten)
• ½ c Crisco
• 1 c Sugar
• 1 tsp Salt
• 5-6 c Flour
• 5 tsp Baking Powder
• 2 tsp Orange Extract
• 2 tsp Vanilla Extract

Preparation

• Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl.
• Add softened butter and crisco to dry ingredients using a hand- or stand-mixer.
• Add beaten eggs and extracts to dough mixture.
• Flour the countertop and knead dough until it forms a ball.
• Place dough in fridge overnight.
• When ready to bake. flour the countertop and roll dough into long, thin strips using a rolling pin.
• Spoon cucidati filling along the long edge of the dough strip.
• Roll dough over filling to create a log with filling in the center.
• Cut the dough log at an angle into bite-size pieces and place cookies on parchment lined baking sheet about 1 Inch apart.
• Bake at 375°F for about 8-10 minutes.
• Let cookies cool prior to icing.
• Store in cookie tins.