I had every intention of posting my recipe for Cuccidati — a festive Sicilian fig cookie — last December, but my organizational skills failed me. I promise I will get to those this fall/winter. In the meantime, there is a simpler, more summery option that I love to make when the figs are ripe, and my neighborhood is overflowing with offers of surplus figs.
I make my own Fig Jam, but these cookies are easily made if you buy fig jam. Many grocery stores stock a nice thick fig jam at their cheese display, because it is a great condiment for charcuterie boards. If you can find that, all you need to do is make a simple, sweet dough, fill it, and bake it. They are simply figgy and quite delicious.
Mix together the flour and 1/4 cup sugar in the bowl of a food processor using a couple of pulses. Add the cold butter in 24 pieces. Pulse 10 times. Add the 1/4 cup of cold milk and use about 24 long pulses to bring the dough together.
Quickly roll out the dough to a rectangle approximately 10 inches by 12 inches. Trim the edges. Cut the dough in half lengthwise to make two long rectangles about 5 inches by 12 inches.
Spoon the jam down the center — a couple of tablespoons on each piece of dough — leaving at least 1 inch on each side, but spreading the jam all the way to each end. Fold one long side over the jam, brush the top of it with milk, then bring the other long side over top and press lightly to seal. Do not seal the ends. Repeat this for the other piece of dough. Brush the tops with more milk, then sprinkle with granulated sugar. Cut the logs into 1-inch pieces. Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in the middle of the oven for 20-22 minutes.
I agree, Angie.There’s nothing to me as good as homemade fig jam, whether it’s from fresh figs or from dried figs. It really is so much better than store-bought.
Fabulous and if you can pick figs from a tree, they have far more flavour than shop bought ones. They call Cuccidati, Fig Rolls in the UK. Cuccidati were supposedly invented by the Ancient Egyptians.
I’m sure these cookies are much, much tastier, but they remind me of Fig Newtons! I remember those from my childhood. I assume other flavors of thick jam could be used, if desired. They look delicious!
When I started making them come, Barb, I wanted to make them like Fig Newtons. But they’re not, and I do think they are much better! And, yes, any good thick jam will work.
My father-in-law used to have a fig tree in his garden. I was in heaven . That was a long time ago. Seeing your recipe brings back memories. I could eat a lot of your cookies.
Wow- I can just imagine what these would taste like if you made your own fig jam! Question about the recipe (yes, I read it)! The recipe says to “fold one long end over the jam, brush the top of it with milk, then bring the other piece over top and press lightly to seal.” Does this mean you first fold the long end into the middle, then fold the other one on top? Thanks!
They are pretty wonderful, Fran. Yes, you bring one long side to the middle then the other long side over the top to seal and make a long “tube.“ Then you slice them and bake them. I changed the recipe to say one long side, and then the other long side. Thanks for asking!
I love fig newtons, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve told myself that I should learn to make them. I’m eager to try out your delicious looking recipe!
David, I love fresh figs. So far this year, no one has brought me any. A friend used to visit and bring me some a few times every season. I miss her! And I love homemade fig rolls. These look lovely, and I am in a time right now when I appreciate the idea of using a jar of good fig jam instead of my old “homemade all the way” way!
Thanks, Jean. Lucky for me, even if our friends don’t share their figs, we get them at our farmers market when they are in season. Have you ever made fake jam with dried figs? It works out really well, too. Thanks for your comment!
David. How lovely that your area is overflowing with figs. We used to have a Mission Fig tree in my parents’ backyard, and we’d eat them right off the tree. Love these cookies – and that pretty ceramic platter! 🙂 ~Valentina
Until we moved here, I never knew that figs were a desert fruit. They grow so beautifully, and we’re so lucky. Our neighbors have their trees. The ceramic platter was made specifically for me by a friend. I love having it! Thanks so much for your sweet comment, Valentina.
angiesrecipes
May 23, 2026 at 3:35 amThe homemade fig jam makes a huge difference! These look simple yet beautiful and delicious.
David Scott Allen
May 23, 2026 at 11:40 pmI agree, Angie.There’s nothing to me as good as homemade fig jam, whether it’s from fresh figs or from dried figs. It really is so much better than store-bought.
FEL!X
May 23, 2026 at 5:19 amGorgeous! I still have some fig jam from my own figs!
Thank you for this inspiration!
David Scott Allen
May 23, 2026 at 11:40 pmI’m glad you liked the recipe, Felix. Let me know what you think.
Mimi Rippee
May 23, 2026 at 5:33 amThese make me wish I could bake!!!
David Scott Allen
May 23, 2026 at 11:39 pmI know you could do these if you wanted to, Mimi! The problem is, if you do them, you eat them. 🙂
Mad Dog
May 23, 2026 at 5:34 amFabulous and if you can pick figs from a tree, they have far more flavour than shop bought ones. They call Cuccidati, Fig Rolls in the UK. Cuccidati were supposedly invented by the Ancient Egyptians.
David Scott Allen
May 23, 2026 at 11:39 pmI guess my thinking they were from Sicily makes sense if they were Egyptian. There was a lot of trade between the two.
Barb
May 23, 2026 at 6:49 amI’m sure these cookies are much, much tastier, but they remind me of Fig Newtons! I remember those from my childhood. I assume other flavors of thick jam could be used, if desired. They look delicious!
David Scott Allen
May 23, 2026 at 11:38 pmWhen I started making them come, Barb, I wanted to make them like Fig Newtons. But they’re not, and I do think they are much better! And, yes, any good thick jam will work.
Carolyne
May 23, 2026 at 6:50 amI could eat that whole plate!
David Scott Allen
May 23, 2026 at 11:38 pmI almost did! Thank goodness I have marked to save me from myself.
Carol
May 23, 2026 at 4:11 pmThank you so much for sharing this recipe. It has brought back memories, plus I have just discovered a source of fresh figs…
David Scott Allen
May 23, 2026 at 11:37 pmLike you, we are so lucky to have a good source of fresh figs in our neighborhood. I hope you make these and enjoy them, Carol.
Eha Carr
May 23, 2026 at 5:02 pmAs you know I am not a ‘cookie person’ but love figs and could probably demolish half your plate! Hope you two are having a fabulous time 🙂 !
David Scott Allen
May 23, 2026 at 11:37 pmEven though they are a tiny bit sweet, I think you would love them.
Gerlinde de Broekert
May 24, 2026 at 6:52 amMy father-in-law used to have a fig tree in his garden. I was in heaven . That was a long time ago. Seeing your recipe brings back memories. I could eat a lot of your cookies.
David Scott Allen
May 24, 2026 at 6:55 amI’m glad this brought back such nice memories for you, Gerlinde.
Fran@ G'day Souffle
May 24, 2026 at 8:56 amWow- I can just imagine what these would taste like if you made your own fig jam! Question about the recipe (yes, I read it)! The recipe says to “fold one long end over the jam, brush the top of it with milk, then bring the other piece over top and press lightly to seal.” Does this mean you first fold the long end into the middle, then fold the other one on top? Thanks!
David Scott Allen
May 24, 2026 at 9:00 amThey are pretty wonderful, Fran. Yes, you bring one long side to the middle then the other long side over the top to seal and make a long “tube.“ Then you slice them and bake them. I changed the recipe to say one long side, and then the other long side. Thanks for asking!
Priya
May 24, 2026 at 1:37 pmFigs on my mind right now 🙂 and especilly that homemade jam here, it takes everything to the next level.
David Scott Allen
May 25, 2026 at 12:22 amThanks, Priya!
Ronit Penso
May 24, 2026 at 3:05 pmFig jam has such a unique flavor and texture. These look so perfect and tasty! 🙂
David Scott Allen
May 25, 2026 at 12:22 amThank you, Ronit. My first fig jam was made from dried figs. Imagine my joy and surprise when I made some from fresh figs!
Sherry M
May 24, 2026 at 11:57 pmoh yes homemade jam is always so good. These sound delicious David.
sherry
David Scott Allen
May 25, 2026 at 12:20 amThanks, Sherry!
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
May 25, 2026 at 1:24 pmSuch a lovely bake, David! I love how rustic and elegant these fig cookies look, and homemade fig jam must make them especially delicious.
David Scott Allen
May 25, 2026 at 11:46 pmThanks, Ben — they are one of those simple treats that end up looking quite elegant.
Frank | Memorie di Angelina
May 26, 2026 at 11:38 amLooks delightful, David! I’ve been meaning to blog on cuccidati too. You beat me to the punch!
David Scott Allen
May 27, 2026 at 8:11 amI’ll get to the real cuccidati this Christmas. Maybe we will accidentally post them the same weekend.
Jeff the Chef
May 27, 2026 at 5:31 amI love fig newtons, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve told myself that I should learn to make them. I’m eager to try out your delicious looking recipe!
David Scott Allen
May 27, 2026 at 8:12 amThanks, Jeff — that is exactly what inspired me to make them. I hope you enjoy them!
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
May 29, 2026 at 6:54 pmDavid, I love fresh figs. So far this year, no one has brought me any. A friend used to visit and bring me some a few times every season. I miss her! And I love homemade fig rolls. These look lovely, and I am in a time right now when I appreciate the idea of using a jar of good fig jam instead of my old “homemade all the way” way!
David Scott Allen
May 30, 2026 at 8:22 amThanks, Jean. Lucky for me, even if our friends don’t share their figs, we get them at our farmers market when they are in season. Have you ever made fake jam with dried figs? It works out really well, too. Thanks for your comment!
valentina wein
June 1, 2026 at 11:42 pmDavid. How lovely that your area is overflowing with figs. We used to have a Mission Fig tree in my parents’ backyard, and we’d eat them right off the tree. Love these cookies – and that pretty ceramic platter! 🙂 ~Valentina
David Scott Allen
June 2, 2026 at 4:42 pmUntil we moved here, I never knew that figs were a desert fruit. They grow so beautifully, and we’re so lucky. Our neighbors have their trees. The ceramic platter was made specifically for me by a friend. I love having it! Thanks so much for your sweet comment, Valentina.
Raymund
June 4, 2026 at 4:09 pmThis is the kind of bake that looks effortless but feels a bit luxurious, and now I’m absolutely craving anything fig‑filled.
David Scott Allen
June 5, 2026 at 9:15 amThey really are simple and very satisfying, Raymund!
Inger
June 9, 2026 at 7:58 pmGourmet Fig Newtons–sounds yummy! I have a potted fig that I hope someday produces fruit since I’m not lucky enough to have local figs.
David Scott Allen
June 9, 2026 at 9:42 pmMy fingers are crossed for your fig tree!
2pots2cook
June 10, 2026 at 12:03 amFigs are my favourite and this is something I have to make. Thank you for sharing this one!
David Scott Allen
June 10, 2026 at 11:05 amI think you will love them.