Fig Newtons have seen the inside of lunch boxes and snack bags since they were first mass-produced more than 130 years ago. Our homemade version features a rich, buttery dough surrounding a thick filling of Mission figs, which are sweeter and softer than other fig varieties, plus fresh orange zest and juice for a bright citrus accent.
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Fig Bars
Makes about 40 bars
Ingredients
Dough:
⅔cup(150 grams) unsalted butter, softened
½cup(110 grams) firmly packed light brown sugar
1teaspoon(1 gram) orange zest
1large egg (50 grams), room temperature
½teaspoon(2 grams) vanilla extract
2⅓cups(292 grams) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
½teaspoon(2.5 grams) baking soda
¼teaspoonkosher salt
¼teaspoonground cinnamon
2tablespoons(30 grams) fresh orange juice
Filling:
10ounces(283 grams) dried black Mission figs*, stemmed and halved
¾cup(180 grams) water
¼cup(60 grams) fresh orange juice
¼cup(85 grams) honey
¼teaspoonground cinnamon
Instructions
For dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, brown sugar, and orange zest at medium speed until pale and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes, stopping to scrape sides of bowl. Beat in egg and vanilla, stopping to scrape sides of bowl.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with orange juice, beating until just combined after each addition. Turn out dough onto a sheet of plastic wrap, and shape dough into a rectangle. Wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour.
For filling: In a small saucepan, bring figs, ¾ cup (180 grams) water, and orange juice to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until almost all liquid has evaporated and figs have plumped, 7 to 10 minutes.
In the work bowl of a food processor, pulse fig mixture, honey, and cinnamon until a thick paste forms. Let cool completely.
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 13½-inch square. Trim ⅛ inch off each side of dough. Cut dough into 4 (13x3¼-inch) strips.
Spoon cooled filling into a pastry bag, and cut a ½-inch opening in tip. Pipe a 1-inch-wide strip of filling down center of each dough strip. Using a pastry brush, brush off excess flour. Working with one strip at a time, fold sides of dough strip over filling, gently pressing seams to seal. (When folding, make sure there are no gaps between dough and filling.) Place dough logs, seam side down, on prepared pans.
Bake until edges are golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes. Using a bench scraper or sharp knife, immediately cut each log crosswise into 1½-inch-wide pieces; leave cookies on pans and touching each other. Let cool for 15 minutes. Remove from pans, and let cool completely on wire racks. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Notes
*We used Orchard Choice/Sun-Maid California Dried Mission Figs.
The post Fig Bars first appeared on Bake from Scratch.