After making my fig, prosciutto, and arugula pizza last week, I had a lot of fresh figs to use up. Seeing all those fresh figs made me think about good ol’ Fig Newtons. I have not had one in forevvvverrr. This had to be fixed!
I kind of want to call these lazy Fig Newtons since I didn’t roll the dough and wrap it up around the figs like Fig Newtons. I just stuck it in between, but whatevs, it’s still pretty much the same thing! But, hey, I did make my own fig preserve so that counts for something, right?!
I might consider making a little more of the fig mixture next time as I felt there was a lot of cookie and not quite enough fig. But, these are tasty and are perfect to make for the fall and the holidays!
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. fresh figs (or 1 lb. dried)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 tbs. fresh lemon juice
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 egg, at room temperature
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare an 8x8 baking dish by covering it in aluminum foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Slice each fig in half and scoop out the seeds and pulp into a bowl. Discard the skins.
- Add the scooped fig, sugar, water, and lemon juice into a medium saucepan. Heat on medium heat. Mash the figs with a potato masher. Cook until the water dissolves and the figs reach a jam-like consistency. Set aside.
- Beat together the butter and brown sugar in a mixing bowl until creamy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the flours, baking powder, and the salt. Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet mixture until well-combined.
- Take about 3/4 cup of the dough and set aside. Place the rest of the dough into the prepared baking dish. Spread the dough evenly into the dish. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned.
- While the bottom layer is baking, roll out the 3/4 cup of the dough between two pieces of wax paper sprayed with non-stick spray into an 8x8 square. Place the dough into the freezer for about 15 minutes until firm.
- Once the bottom layer is done baking, spread the fig mixture evenly. Remove the top layer from the freezer, pull away the wax paper and place the dough on top of the fig mixture. Bake for another 25 minutes or until the top layer is golden brown. Let cool for at least 2 hours and then slice into squares.
Notes
Adapted from Brown Eyed Baker
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These are a great idea, they look like something I would choose in a coffee shop! I love that these are perfect for fall without any pumpkin or apple in sight
Anna @ hiddenponies recently posted..BASIC HOMEMADE GRANOLA
Thanks, Ana! We mustn’t leave out the figs!
Homemade fig preserves definitely counts. These bars look amazing, and I can’t wait to try out the recipe. I happen to love fig newtons, but homemade is always better.
Thanks, Jennie! I hope you like it!
I love fig bars!! So good! Fig is just good in general!
Thank you, Raven!
Mmm anything with figs calls my name
Lovely job!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Choc Chip Uru recently posted..I’m Back Bringing Spring
Thanks, Uru! I love figs too!
Loving the use of figs here… I bet they were moist and yummy!! Have a great weekend… good luck with the packing. ~ Ramona
Ramona recently posted..Thai Basil Pork and Vegetable Stir Fry
Thanks, Ramona!
I’m obsessed with figs…….and these look fantastic!!
JulieD recently posted..M&M Chocolate Cookie Cake Bars
Thanks, Julie! I love them too!
Great recipe. I have a pound of figs and some dried ones to. I”m going to make your bars this weekend because I have no clue on what to do with the figs!!!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers recently posted..Green Tea Frappe
Thanks, Jennifer. I didn’t know what to do with them either!
These are great and I sure don’t mind skipping the rolling step!
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction recently posted..Running Rambles and Raves: Last Race of the Summer & Summer Favorites Recap
Thanks, Jessica! The rolling step is totally unecessary!
Fig Newtons were one of the few store bought cookies my mom bought on occasion when we were young. I have a feeling your version is so much better…can’t wait to try and share a batch with her
Liz recently posted..Apple Brownies….#SundaySupper~
Thank you, Lizzy! Homemade is always better!
My father in law LOVES figs – I’ll have to make these for him!
I don’t understand why none of my local grocery stores seem to carry figs right now. I wish they did because I would certainly be making some of these. They look marvelous.
Emily @ Life on Food recently posted..Weekend Edition: Brooklyn Smorgasburg
That stinks, Emily! Hope you can find some soon!
Stephanie….I used to hate to admit how much I love fig newtons because it just seemed like a geeky thing. But I love figs and your version looks far better than the original! : )
Anne@FromMySweetHeart recently posted..Black Bean Tart with Chili Crust
It’s not geeky at all, Anne!
Amazing! You could put fig newton’s out of business with these babies!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious recently posted..Berry Burst Ice Cream Oreo Brownies
Aw, thanks, Chung-Ah! I would love to put them out of business!
I can just imagine how marvelous those must be.
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective recently posted..Spiced Apple Swedish Meatballs
Thank you, Sommer!! They were great!
I almost never buy fig newtons because I’m the only person in my family who likes them, and I could eat the entire batch in one sitting! Not cool… these are SO calling my name!
Jen at The Three Little Piglets recently posted..Finding Balance
They are pretty addictive!!
YUMMM!! i love fig newtons!!
claire @ the realistic nutritionist recently posted..Red Cabbage Slaw Salad
Me tooooooo!!
I love figs! It’s a new thing in my life, I really didn’t even know what one looked like until a few years ago. And I make a similar pizza to what you mentioned but with goat cheese. AND this would be a perfect dessert to go with said pizza
Jackie @ Domestic Fits recently posted..Skinny Baked Potato Soup 210 Calories
Figs are pretty new to me too! So far, I know they work well in a Fig Newtons and pizza!
Stephanie recently posted..Fig Bars
I’d love one of those bars with tea this afternoon
They look delicious and perfect for fig season!
Emily Lynne {The Best of this Life} recently posted..Monday Inspiration :: Flowers in February
They are perfect with tea, Emily!
fig newtons! my favorite little “healthy” cookie. While my friends were eating the chips ahoy, I was happily noshing away on my soft figgy wheat bars. Ha! I loved them. Never have made them myself though, I am glad you shared this recipe!!
sally @ sallys baking addiction recently posted..york peppermint patty fudge cookies.
I always told myself they were a little healthier too, lol!
When I first read the title of the recipe I instantly thought that they would taste like a homemade fig newton! The sound really good – and a whole ton easier than making actual fig newtons
Thanks, Nicole! They are pretty easy to make!
gorgeous! like fig newtons, but better!
Lazy Fig Newtons?? Sign me up! I used to love these cookies as a kid
Colleen, The Smart Cookie Cook recently posted..Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Sugar Frosting
Making your own fig preserves definitely counts! These look incredible, and I wish I had a few right now! Oh, and I completely forgot to tell you when I went back to comment on the instagram thing, the dude had already removed my pic
Thanks again!
Meghan recently posted..Bourbon Apple Spice Cake and Giveaway
Ugh. I love fig newtons. Lazy fig newtons are all the better! Love your photos
Erika recently posted..Easy Wheat Challah
Love these! I love figs, but I’m always looking for new ways to use them. These look great!
Alyssa recently posted..Chicken Biryani