Homemade Fig Newtons Recipes

HOMEMADE FIG NEWTONS RECIPE

Steps:

• FOR THE FILLING: Simmer the figs, apple juice*, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the figs are very soft and the juice is syrupy, 25 to 30 minutes. There should only be 3-4 tablespoons of liquid remaining in the pan when they're done.
• Let the mixture cool slightly. Puree the figs in a food processor with the lemon juice until the mixture has a thick jam consistency, about 8 seconds.
• FOR THE CRUST: Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with a parchment both directions, and then grease the paper.
• Whisk the flours, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl.
• In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 6 minutes.
• Beat in the egg and vanilla until combined.
• Stir in the flour mixture until just incorporated.
• Reserve 3/4 cup of the dough for the topping!
• Sprinkle the remaining dough mixture into the prepared pan and press into an even layer with a greased spatula.
• Bake the crust until just beginning to turn golden, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, roll the reserved 3/4 cup of dough for the top crust between 2 sheets of greased parchment paper into an 8-inch square; trim the edges of the dough as needed to measure exactly 8 inches. Leaving the dough sandwiched between the parchment, transfer it to a baking sheet and place it in the freezer until needed.
• Spread the fig mixture evenly over the crust. Unwrap the frozen, reserved top crust and lay it over the filling, pressing lightly to adhere. Honestly, this part doesn't have to be perfect; you can see in the photos I had some tears and holes and I just patched it. Once you cut the bars, no one will notice!
• Bake the bars until the top crust is golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through baking.
• Let the fig bars cool completely in the pan, set on a wire rack, about 2 hours. Remove the bars from the pan using the foil, cut into squares, and serve.

FIG NEWTONS (HOMEMADE)

Steps:

• Dice figs, soak in water 1 hour.
• Add sugar & cook on medium heat until of thin jam consistency.
• Beat sugar, butter, egg, milk & vanilla until well blended.
• Add dry ingredients.
• Mix well and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Place 1/2 on well floured dough cloth; knead about 6 times.
• Roll out to 1/4" thick. Line 13 x 9" glass baking dish; cover with figs.
• Roll remaining dough, cover figs. Cook at 350° for 30 minutes.
• Let cool and cut into squares. Depending on the size you cut you can get a couple dozen cookies.

FIG NEWTON-ISH COOKIES

Steps:

• Combine whole wheat flour, ground walnuts, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a medium bowl.
• Beat butter, brown sugar, and honey together in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add egg, orange zest, and vanilla extract; beat until thoroughly combined. Add flour mixture in 3 batches, mixing until just combined and dough is very soft and sticky.
• Wrap dough in plastic wrap. Pat into a disk and refrigerate, 4 hours to overnight.
• Place figs, water, honey, orange juice, vanilla extract, orange zest, and nutmeg in a medium saucepan. Bring filling mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cook until figs are softened and fall apart easily when pressed with a spoon, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and cool for 10 minutes.
• Place filling mixture into a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Pour puree into a glass container and let cool completely until filling has a spreadable consistency. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place a piece of parchment paper on a work surface and generously flour the paper and a rolling pin. Roll out the chilled cookie dough into a 10x14-inch rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Continue to flour the parchment and rolling pin as necessary. Divide dough into 4 strips about 3 1/2 inches wide by 10 inches long.
• Divide the fig filling among the strips of dough. Spread filling lengthwise down the center of each piece, leaving about 1/2 inch of space on the sides. Gently pull one side of the dough halfway over the filling. Repeat with the opposite side and pinch to seal in the filling to form a cookie log about 1 inch wide and 10 inches long.
• Gently roll the log over so it's seam-side down. Brush off any excess flour and gently press the top of the roll to flatten slightly. Repeat this process with the other dough strips.
• Brush off any excess flour from the top of, and in between, the cookie logs. Gently lift the parchment paper, with the cookies still on it, onto a baking sheet. Arrange logs about 1 inch apart on the baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cookies just begin to brown and feel slightly crispy to the touch, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cookies cool for 5 minutes. Use a serrated knife to slice each log into 8 pieces about 1 1/4 inch long and 1 inch wide. Let cookies cool completely, at least 40 minutes.
• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container until softened, 8 hours to overnight.