Homemade Fig Bars

A trip to Trader Joe's is one of our favorite activities.
We aren't in there all that often because the closest one to us is about 30 minutes away,
but you can guarantee, we make up for it when we go.
We love to buy new things to try, along with our usual favorites.

On a recent visit, James decided he wanted to buy some figs.
They have many health benefits & are quite an intriguing old food.
The fig has significance throughout the Bible.
They were highly esteemed in Greece, insomuch that laws were created to govern
the importation of only the very best quality into the country.
Figs were revered in Rome & thought to be a sacred fruit.
Pretty neat to be able to eat a food with such history.
{If you are interested in reading more about figs, click here.}

We bought 2 containers -- one, we just snacked on, eating them raw.
They are so delicious ... sweet, chewy, & earthy.
I think that's the quality I like best.

With the other container, I decided to make homemade fig bars.
We all like the store-bought ones, so I was interested to try them from scratch.

Let me tell ya, WOW ... these things were amazing!
You'll never think of a fig bar the same way after you make these from scratch.
There are a few steps, but overall, an easy recipe.




INGREDIENTS:

Crust:
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup all-purpose flour

Filling:
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup boiling water
12 oz dried Mission figs, stems removed & chopped (approximately 1 cup)

Topping:
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons cold butter 
1/4 cup quick-cooking oats
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 9-inch square pan with cooking spray.
In small bowl, beat 1/2 cup butter, 1/4 cup granulated sugar and the vanilla
with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.
On low speed, beat in 1 cup flour until soft dough forms.
Press dough in bottom of pan.
Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until center is set.

Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, cook filling ingredients over medium-high heat 5 to 10 minutes,
stirring frequently, until figs are tender and most of liquid is absorbed.
Spread over crust.

In small bowl, mix 1/4 cup flour, the brown sugar and 3 tablespoons butter,
using pastry blender or fork, until crumbly.
Stir in oats and walnuts & sprinkle over filling.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes longer or until edges are bubbly and topping is light golden brown.
Cool completely, about 1 hour, then cut into bars.

You will not regret giving this dessert a try.
It veers away from a typical cookie or bar --  & has a comforting, old-fashioned feel to it.
And it would definitely steal the show this time of year as a Thanksgiving or Christmas dessert.

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