Description
These Homemade Fig Newtons are soft, chewy, and bursting with real fruit flavor! A nostalgic favorite reimagined with all-natural ingredients, they feature buttery cookie dough wrapped around a sweet, jammy fig filling. Perfect as a healthy snack, lunchbox treat, or tea-time dessert, these bars are easy to make and far more delicious than the store-bought version. Comforting, wholesome, and 100% irresistible!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Fig Filling:
- 2 cups dried figs, stems removed
- ½ cup water or orange juice
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cookie Dough:
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- ⅔ cup (135g) brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Optional Add-ins:
- Pinch of cinnamon for a warm spice note
- A splash of almond extract for depth
- 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for a wheat-free option
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: In a saucepan, combine chopped dried figs and water (or juice). Simmer over low heat for 10 minutes until soft and thickened. Stir in honey, lemon juice, and vanilla. Cool slightly, then puree until smooth. Set aside to cool completely.
- Make the dough: Cream butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, mixing until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt. Combine with wet ingredients to form a soft dough.
- Chill the dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight) to make it easier to handle.
- Assemble the bars: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough into a rectangle about ⅛ inch thick. Spread fig filling down the center third, then fold sides over to create a log. Press gently to seal.
- Bake: Transfer log to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 18–20 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool and slice: Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing into bars. The cookies will firm as they cool.
Notes
- Always soften dried figs before blending for a smooth filling.
- Chill the dough well to prevent spreading during baking.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for extra warmth.
- Cool fully before slicing for neat, bakery-style bars.
- For vegan fig bars, replace butter with vegan butter and egg with applesauce.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snacks, Bars
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Homemade Fig Newtons, Fig Dessert Recipe, Healthy Fig Bars, Classic Fig Cookies, Homemade Snack Bars, Fig Bar Recipe, Vegan Fig Bars, Gluten Free Fig Bars, Fruit Filled Cookies