Fig Cookies

By LoriCaputo

Ingredients

• 1 cup firmly packed dried figs, softened
• 1 cup firmly packed pitted dates
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/2 cup and 2 tbs. sugar
• 1 3/4 cups flour
• 1 tbs. anise seeds
• 1/4 tsp. each baking powder, baking soda, and salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 cup raw sugar, Damara

Preparation

Step 1

Puree the figs, dates, water, and 2 tbs. sugar together. Whisk together the flour, anise, baking powder, baking soda an salt. Cream the butter, cream cheese, and remaining 1/2 cup sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla, yolk, and flour mixture, beating until the dough forms. Form the dough into a disk and chill for 1 hour, until the dough is firm enough to handle.

Roll the dough into a 13 x 10 inch rectangle that is 1/3 inch thick. Drop the fig mixture by spoonfuls onto the dough and gently spread evenly. Roll dough jelly-roll style. Roll onto raw sugar and chill, wrapped in wax paper for 4 hours or until firm.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and cut cookies into 1/3 inch rounds. Bake until golden