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#48 Anise-Scented Fig and Date Swirls 1996

Swirls are more decorative than ingredients suggest.

These two-toned cookies dress up a plate more than their earthy ingredients have a right to do. The fig and date mixture spreads on a rectangle of dough and the whole mess gets tucked into a long roll and chilled. Cookies can be cut from the roll in batches, and the roll stores for up to a month.

I'm not sure the anise gives the fruit enough punch to distinguish these cookies from the flavor of your basic Fig Newtons. The dough needs more flavor, too, but rolls out easily, so forms a sturdy base. I'm thinking lemon zest could come to the dough's rescue.

The festive look of the swirls is worth a bit more experimentation with flavorings. I tried substituting brandy for the water in the fruit puree, but that turned out to be a waste of good brandy. The flavor did not come through. Have an idea for a filling flavoring?

The recipe is here and here.

Comments

  1. AnonymousApril 2, 2012 at 8:13 AM

    Just drink the brandy and you won't mind the flavor of the cookies. ;-)

    Nancy

    ReplyDelete

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