I believe there’s room on the table for all the cookies during December. Sure, we have our must-bakes—mine are gingerbread cookies and these nameless, cherry-spiked butter cookies—but you should leave ...

On a recent cold and gray December Sunday, dozens of Italian families gathered to celebrate a Sicilian Christmas cookie at Casa Italia, the Italian cultural center in west suburban Stone Park. Little ...

As beautiful as they are delicious, these festive Italian Cuccidati cookies feature orange zest-flavored dough filled with a mixture of figs, chocolate, Marsala wine, and nuts.

Last month, we asked viewers to send us their favorite family recipes that also have a great story behind them. We got some great recipes, but the story of the “Cuccidati” holiday cookies from the ...

1. Combine all the filling ingredients in a food processor. Process until fairly smooth, about 3 minutes. 2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 3. For the dough, use an electric mixer to beat the sugar and ...

Upon first reading this recipe for cuccidati (pronouced: coo-chee-dawt-tee), or Italian fig cookies, by Judith Mack, I was immediately drawn to the bold flavors - figs, orange zest, whiskey, cloves.

Spread the nuts on a baking sheet and toast them in the middle of a pre-heated 350 degree oven until they are lightly golden and aromatic, 5 - 10 minutes. Set aside & cool. Plump the raisins in some ...