There’s something truly delightful about using fresh figs in baking. Their sweet and slightly floral flavor adds a special touch to any recipe, making it feel like a luxurious treat. Today, we’re sharing a recipe for Easy Fresh Fig Bars. These bars are the perfect harmony of buttery crust, jammy fig filling, and a crunchy crumble topping. They are simple to make and are sure to impress your guests or simply elevate your afternoon snack time.
**Easy Fresh Fig Bars**
**Ingredients:**
For the Crust and Crumble:
– 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
– ½ cup granulated sugar
– ¼ teaspoon salt
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1 stick unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
– 1 egg
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Fig Filling:
– 1 pound fresh figs, stems removed and chopped
– ⅓ cup granulated sugar
– 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
– 1 teaspoon cornstarch
**Instructions:**
1. **Preheat your oven** to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later.
2. **Prepare the crust**: In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Add the cold butter pieces and using a pastry cutter or your hands, work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. **Add the egg and vanilla**: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until the dough comes together. It might be crumbly, but that’s okay. Take about ¾ of the mixture and press it evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the crust.
4. **Make the fig filling**: In a saucepan, combine the chopped figs, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture thickens and the figs break down slightly, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
5. **Assemble the bars**: Spread the fig filling over the crust evenly. Crumble the remaining crust mixture over the top as a crumble topping.
6. **Bake** in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
7. **Cool & Serve**: Once baked, let the fig bars cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Then, using the parchment paper overhang, lift the bars out of the pan and onto a cutting board. Cut into squares and serve either warm or at room temperature.
Fresh figs bring a lovely touch of elegance to these bars, making them perfect for a weekend brunch, afternoon tea, or a simple dessert. The buttery crust, sweet fig filling, and crumbly topping create a delightful combination of textures and flavors that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Enjoy these Easy Fresh Fig Bars with a cup of tea or coffee for a delightful treat that celebrates the beauty of fresh figs.
