Figolli ~ A Maltese Easter Tradition

The ultimate Maltese Easter tradition

Recipe by: Maltese people everywhere

Recipe coming soon.

A Taste of Maltese Heritage

Long before I was born, Maltese families were gathering around their kitchen tables to make Figolli. For centuries, these beautiful almond filled Easter treats, have been lovingly handcrafted and shared, with each generation passing the tradition onto the next.

The earliest known written record of Figolli, dates back to 1660, and by the 18th century they had become a treasured part of Easter celebrations, marking the joyful end of Lent.

It's believed the name Figolli comes from the Sicilian word figulina, meaning "little figure," reflecting the close cultural ties between Malta and Sicily.

Originally, Figolli were shaped into people, baskets and fish, often decorated with a hard-boiled egg as a symbol of spring and new life. Over time, they evolved into the colourful creations we know today bunnies, hearts and crosses filled with a thick layer of almond paste, decorated with royal icing, and crowned with a delicious chocolate egg.

But if you ask me, the real magic of Figolli has never been the pastry, the almond filling, or the icing.

It's the little hands reaching for piping bags filled with colourful icing.

It's reminding my girls to stop eating all the chocolate eggs because we still need one for each Figolla.

It's sticky fingers, colourful icing and smiling faces, it's the conversations that seem to last all afternoon.

At the end of the day, when the bowls are empty and the kitchen has finally been cleaned, those are the moments that stay with us.

That, more than anything, is what the tradition of Figolli has always been about.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/72dbbb_765c8db784db4c34997f1801ff290165/480p/mp4/file.mp4

Figolli decorating - Easter 2026

Figolli - Recipe Trial No.1

My Family Tradition

Growing up in a Maltese family here in Australia, Easter always felt complete because of Figolli.

I can still picture my mum carefully rolling out her beautiful pastry while we children waited impatiently for our turn to decorate each Figolla. We were certain ours would be the prettiest, even if the icing ran everywhere and our creations were more colourful than perfect.

Today, I have the privilege of sharing that same tradition with my own children, my sister and my nieces. Watching another generation gather around the kitchen table fills my heart, because I know we're creating memories they'll carry with them for the rest of their lives, just as I will.

Recipes can be written down, but traditions are lived.

If your family doesn't already have an Easter tradition, perhaps this could become yours. It doesn't matter where you come from, whether you have little ones eager to help, or whether you're simply someone who enjoys a slice of almond slice, with an afternoon cup of tea.

Figolli have a beautiful way of bringing people together, and I hope this recipe becomes part of your family's Easter story for many years to come.

Sending my heart filled with warm Easter wishes your way,

L-Għid it-Tajjeb! ❤️("Happy Easter!" in Maltese.)

Jennifer Walsh xoxo