Enjoy a sweet holiday tradition with homemade Italian fig cookies at Mandola’s Deli

HOUSTON – Frank Mandola started Mandola’s Deli in southeast Houston in 1975.

Since that very first year, he has carried on his family’s tradition of making Italian Fig Cookies by hand for his customers. While you can get them all year at Mandola’s Deli, they are especially popular at the holidays.

The cookies are common in the Mandola family’s hometown in Sicily and the recipe was passed down to Frank from his mother. Frank says he has not changed a thing. He still hand rolls and shapes each cookie before baking them in the oven in the back of the deli.

Though you’ll typically see Frank in the back turning these out by the dozen, he says the tradition will not end with him. His son, Joseph, who runs the day-to-day at the deli now, has also mastered the recipe.

Watch the video to see how Frank makes each cookie by hand the old-fashioned way!