Fig Bar Recipe, Fig Bread Recipe or Figs and Cheese

I believe the fig bar recipe has been the all time favorite everyday cookie for my entire family throughout my whole life. When I got in my teenage years, Mom would occasionally purchase fig cookies from the grocery store. I believe these were the favorite of both Mom and Dad. Besides tasting good, Mom would comment on the healthy side of them. Supposedly they have less sugar than most cookies. After I got older and married my husband always bought fig cookies when he stopped at the convenient stores. He and the children loved the flavor. Even though everyone seems to favor these over other store bought cookies, they cannot compare to the delicious flavor of these homemade fruit filled cookies.

FIG BAR RECIPE

Dough:

• ¾ Cup soft butter


• ½ Cup sugar


• 1 Teaspoon vanilla


• 1 Egg


• 1 Egg yolk


• 2 ¼ Cups flour


• 1/8 Teaspoon salt


• 1 Teaspoon grated lemon peel

Cream together the butter and sugar. Mix in the vanilla, egg and egg yolk until well blended. Mix in the flour, salt and lemon peel until blended and smooth. Cover and chill for 1 hour.

Filling:

• ½ Cup chopped walnuts


• ½ Cup chopped almonds


• 2 Cups chopped figs


• ¾ Cup red wine


• 1 Tablespoon sugar


• 1 Tablespoon honey


• 1 Teaspoon grated orange peel


• Sifted powdered sugar

In a heavy skillet, toast the walnuts and almonds over medium heat stirring occasionally for ten minutes. Stir in the figs, wine sugar, honey and orange peel. Cook until it is a dry paste. Spoon into a bowl, cover and chill.

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

Roll half of the dough out on a floured board to 7”by 13”. Spread half of the filling lengthwise down the center of the rectangle leaving 1 inch at the top and 1 inch at the bottom. Fold the sides over and pinch to seal all edges. Place on a foil lined cookie sheet. Repeat process with other half of dough and filling. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Cut diagonally into 1 inch pieces. Cook and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

The fig was one of the oldest fruits recognized by man; the fig tree was often mentioned in the Bible. Figs are grown and known to be a mainstay of the Mediterranean area; having much dietary and medicinal value. They were often fed to people recovering from long illnesses. Although fig cookies were a favorite of my family, fresh figs were not readily available. Once fresh figs are picked they deteriorate quickly. A friend in Ecuador invited me for lunch one day and she served as dessert fresh figs in wine with cheese. It was extremely delicious!

FIGS AND CHEESE

• 1 Pound dried figs


• 2 Cups dry white wine


• 2 Teaspoons dried thyme


• ¼ Cup honey


• ½ Cup whipping cream OPTIONAL


• ¼ Cup chopped fresh mint


• Slices of favorite cheese

Prick each fig several times with a fork.

Combine figs, wine and thyme in a medium bowl; cover and let stand at room temperature for 48 hours.

Add honey and stir well.

To serve spoon figs on individual dessert dishes and place slice of cheese on plate.

If desired, serve a dollop of whipped cream on fig and garnish with chopped mint.

FIG BREAD RECIPE

If you like the fig bar recipe you will also like this fig bread recipe; the flavor of figs makes it delicious.

• 2/3 cup solid shortening


• 1 ½ Cups sugar


• 4 Eggs


• 3 ½ Cups sifted flour


• 1 ½ Teaspoons cream of tartar


• 1 Teaspoon salt


• 2 Cups cooked mashed figs (can use drained canned figs)


• 1 Cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

Cream shortening and sugar until fluffy; add eggs beating after each.

Sift together the sifted flour, cream of tartar and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix until well blended.

Add figs and beat until blended; stir in nuts.

Bake for 1 hour.

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