5 soft italian cookies Recipes

soft dried mission figs (8 oz), hard tips discarded, raisins (3 3/4 oz), mild honey, brandy, grated fresh orange zest, grated fresh lemon zest, ground cinnamon, freshly grated nutmeg, whole almonds (4 oz), toasted and coarsely chopped, walnuts (3 oz), toasted and coarsely chopped, all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes, eggs, lightly beaten, whole milk, vanilla, grated fresh orange or lemon zest, confectioners sugar, vanilla, fresh orange juice, garnish: multicolored nonpareils

soft butter, powdered sugar, walnuts, chopped fine, flour, vanilla, powdered sugar

cherries (canned or fresh ), soft butter, icing sugar, vanilla sugar, eggs, ricotta cheese, semolina, amarettinis (italian almond cookies)

heavy whipping cream, whole milk, sugar, egg yolks, all purpose flour, amaretto or other almond liqueur, vanilla extract, salt, firm but ripe bosc pears (about 3 1/4 lb), peeled , halved lengthwise, cored, sugar, fresh lemon juice, day-old soft ladyfingers (from about three 3-oz packages), coarsely crushed amaretti cookies (italian macaroons)* or almond macaroons (about 4 oz), apricot fruit spread (100% spreadable fruit) or apricot preserves, brandy, amaretto or other almond liqueur, chilled whipping cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, sliced almonds, toasted, fresh mint sprigs (optional)