Description
Sweet homemade fig newtons bring nostalgic comfort to classic cookie lovers. Packed with rich fig filling and tender pastry, this recipe connects generations through simple, delightful baking memories.
Ingredients
Scale
- 10 oz (283 g) fresh figs, stems removed and quartered
- 1/2 cup (100 g) sugar
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) water
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 1/2 cups (180 g) all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup (113 g or 1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (100 g) brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) orange juice
Instructions
- Craft a rich fig filling by combining quartered figs, sugar, water, cinnamon, and honey in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 30-40 minutes until the mixture transforms into a smooth, velvety paste.
- Utilize an immersion blender to ensure a uniform consistency, then allow the filling to cool completely before refrigerating.
- Create the cookie dough by mixing flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
- In a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Incorporate egg, vanilla, and orange juice, mixing gently.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to form a cohesive dough.
- Shape the dough into a disk, wrap, and refrigerate for minimum 3 hours to firm up.
- Preheat oven to 325°F when ready to bake.
- Extract a quarter of the chilled dough and roll into a rectangular shape on floured parchment paper, maintaining ¼-inch thickness.
- Spread a portion of the prepared fig filling down the center of the dough.
- Fold sides over using the parchment paper, creating a sealed log. Transfer to baking sheet seam-side down.
- Repeat process with remaining dough to create four fig newton logs.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes until golden brown and fragrant.
- Cool slightly on a rack, then slice into bite-sized rectangles.
- For optimal softness, place warm cookies in a zip-top bag to steam.
- Once completely cooled, store in an airtight container or zip-top bag to preserve freshness.
Notes
- Use ripe, soft figs for the most intense and natural sweetness in the filling, which helps reduce added sugar.
- Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and ensure a crisp, clean-edged cookie during baking.
- Utilize parchment paper or plastic wrap when folding the dough to create neat, uniform fig newton logs without sticky mess.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a blend of almond and coconut flour to maintain a similar texture and flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 157 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 81 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 31 mg