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  1. Food and Cooking
  2. Recipes
  3. Fig Bars

Fig Bars

They're the perfect lunchbox treat!

By Leah PerezPublished: Aug 6, 2024
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5
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the pioneer woman's fig bars recipe
Antonis Achilleos
Yields:
12 serving(s)
Prep Time:
35 mins
Total Time:
3 hrs 10 mins

If you're searching for a sweet treat to slip into a lunchbox, try these homemade fig bars. They are inspired by beloved Fig Newtons, yet this recipe is even simpler than other copycat versions out there. Forget about rolling out the dough, piping the filling, or cutting the bars into perfect shapes! With a tender wheat-blend dough and an easy dried fig filling, these somewhat healthy snacks can (and should!) be enjoyed year-round. This fig recipe pairs perfectly with a glass of cold milk or iced coffee for a quick breakfast. Come dinnertime, give one a 30-second spin in the microwave and serve it with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to be transported to dessert heaven.

Can you use all whole wheat flour to make fig bars?

This recipes calls for a combination of whole wheat and white all-purpose flours to achieve a toasty graham cracker-like flavor while still maintaining a tender crumb. Using all whole wheat flour will make the cookie part of these bars dry and dense, as whole wheat flour absorbs more moisture than all-purpose flour. If you only have white all-purpose flour on hand, the recipe will still work, but you will miss out on the warm, nutty flavor that whole wheat flour provides. 

Can you make fig bars in advance?

These are the ideal snack bars to make in advance. Their filling is so moist, they become more tender the longer they sit. The bars will keep for up to 1 week stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you want to keep the bars for even longer, they can be sliced, placed in an airtight container or zip-top bag, and frozen for up to 3 months. 

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Ingredients

For the Dough:

  • 1 3/4 cups

    all-purpose flour

  • 3/4 cup

    whole wheat flour

  • 1 1/2 tsp.

    baking powder

  • 3/4 tsp.

    ground cinnamon

  • 12 Tbsp.

    (1 1/2 sticks) salted butter, at room temperature 

  • 3/4 cup

    packed light brown sugar

  • 1 Tbsp.

    honey

  • 1 1/2 tsp.

    vanilla extract

  • 1

    large egg, at room temperature

  • Baking spray with flour, for the pan

For the Filling:

  • 12 oz.

    dried mission or Turkish figs, stemmed and quartered

  • 1/2 cup

    applesauce

  • 2 Tbsp.

    orange juice

  • 1 Tbsp.

    honey

Directions

    1. Step 1For the dough: Preheat the oven to 350°F. 
    2. Step 2In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, and cinnamon until combined.
    3. Step 3In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter, light brown sugar, and honey on low speed. Increase the speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in the vanilla and egg, scraping the bottom and sides of the bowl. Decrease the mixer speed to low, and gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until the dough just comes together.
    4. Step 4Line a 9-inch square baking pan with plastic wrap, leaving a 2-inch overhang. Remove half the dough from the stand mixer and press it evenly into the bottom of the pan. Using the plastic wrap overhang as handles, lift out the dough square, wrap it tightly in the plastic, and freeze on a flat surface until ready to use.
    5. Step 5Spray the baking pan with baking spray. Line the pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang. Spray the parchment. Press the remaining dough evenly into the bottom of the pan. Cover and freeze until ready to use.
    6. Step 6For the filling: In a food processor, pulse the figs, applesauce, orange juice, and honey until a smooth, thick paste forms, stopping to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl as necessary. 
    7. Step 7Remove both pieces of dough from the freezer. Dollop the fig mixture onto the crust in the pan, then carefully spread it until smooth and even. Unwrap the second crust and place it on top of the fig mixture, pressing lightly to compress.
    8. Step 8Bake until the top is light golden, 35 to 40 minutes. Allow to cool completely before slicing into bars, at least 2 hours.
Love this recipe? Try one of these next!
  • Blueberry Bars
  • Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
  • Apple Pie Bars

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