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1
Make the Filling: In a bowl, combine the figs with 4 tablespoons of brandy and let soak overnight or up to 4 weeks.
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2
In a food processor, combine the soaked figs, the remaining 2 tablespoons brandy, and all the remaining filling ingredients.
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3
Process until chopped and well combined.
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4
(Alternatively, run all the ingredients through a meat grinder.
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5
Some Italian women bring their filling ingredients to the butcher and have him grind it for them.)
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6
Keep chilled until ready to use.
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7
Make the Pastry: In a food processor, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt and pulse to mix.
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8
Add the butter and pulse until it looks like fine crumbs.
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9
In a small bowl, whisk together the 2 eggs and milk.
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10
While the motor in running, pour the liquid through the feed tube until just combined and a dough is formed.
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11
Form the dough into a disk and chill 30 minutes.
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12
On a floured work surface, roll out the dough 1/8-inch thick.
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13
With a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut out large (3-inch long) almond shaped pieces from the dough.
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14
Transfer the pieces to a sheet pan; then chill.
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15
To form the cookies, have ready the filling, the chilled dough pieces, the egg wash with a pastry brush, and a sharp knife.
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16
Paint the edges of the dough pieces with egg wash and place 1 teaspoon of filling shaped into an oval in the center of half the pieces.
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17
Top each with a second piece of dough and carefully pinch the edges together to seal.
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18
Trim the excess dough from around the edges.
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19
Make each dough package look like a bird or fish, by shaping and cutting decorative lines.
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20
You can split 1 end to look like a tail, carve rows of lines to look like feathers or fins, cut a curved line for the gills or beak opening, and a hole for the eye.
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21
(There are many different shapes they're made into, such as wreaths, slippers, and crescents.)
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22
Re-chill the cookies
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23
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
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24
Brush the cookies with the egg wash. Bake the cookies until lightly golden brown, about 20 minutes.
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25
Meanwhile make the Icing: In a bowl, whisk together all the ingredients.
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26
Toss the cookies with the icing while they're still hot and sprinkle with the colored sprinkles, or leave them plain.
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27
The icing makes the cookies look like porcelain when they're done.
