Homemade Fig Newton Delights
Indulge in the nostalgia of homemade Fig Newtons with this delightful recipe! Rich in flavor and bursting with natural sweetness, these soft and chewy treats make the perfect snack or dessert. Using fresh or dried figs, you'll create a luscious fig filling that's encased in a buttery, tender dough. Whether enjoyed on their own or paired with a cup of tea, these Homemade Fig Newton Delights are sure to impress family and friends. Prepare a batch today and experience the deliciousness of homemade goodness!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dried figs or fresh figs
1 lb dried (or 2 lbs fresh) (Diced and soaked)
Sugar
2 cups (Divided into 1 cup for fig filling and 1 cup for dough)
Water
1 cup for dried figs or 1/2 cup for fresh figs (Used for soaking dried figs)
Butter
1/2 cup (Softened to room temperature)
Egg
1 large (Beaten)
Cream or milk
1 tablespoon (For adding moisture)
Vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon (For flavor)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (For flavor)
Baking powder
1 teaspoon
Flour
1 3/4 cups (For dough)
Instructions
1
Begin by dicing the figs into small pieces. If using dried figs, soak them in 1 cup of water for about 1 hour to soften. For fresh figs, use only 1/2 cup of water and skip the soaking time.
2
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the soaked figs (or fresh figs) with 1 cup of sugar. Cook the mixture while stirring occasionally until it reaches a thin jam consistency, around 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
3
In a large mixing bowl, beat together 1/2 cup of softened butter, 1 cup of sugar, 1 beaten egg, and 1 tablespoon of cream (or milk) until the mixture is well combined and creamy. Then, stir in 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
4
In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 teaspoon of baking powder and 1 3/4 cups of flour. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, blending well until a soft dough forms.
5
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
6
Once the dough is chilled, divide it into two equal halves. On a well-floured surface, knead one half of the dough about 6 times until smooth. Roll it out into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick.
7
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish with the rolled out dough, pressing it down gently. Spread the cooled fig filling evenly over the dough, then roll out the second half of the dough and place it over the fig filling, sealing the edges.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool in the baking dish.
9
Once cool, cut the Fig Newtons into squares or rectangles. Depending on how you cut them, you can yield up to 2 dozen delicious cookies!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Homemade Fig Newton Delights?
They are soft and chewy treats featuring a luscious fig filling encased in a buttery, tender dough, recreating the classic snack.
Can I use fresh figs for this recipe?
Yes, you can use 2 lbs of fresh figs instead of the 1 lb of dried figs.
How long should dried figs be soaked?
Dried figs should be diced and soaked in 1 cup of water for about 1 hour to soften them.
Do fresh figs require soaking?
No, fresh figs do not require soaking; simply use 1/2 cup of water when cooking them.
How much sugar is used in the fig filling?
One cup of sugar is combined with the figs to create the filling.
What consistency should the fig filling reach?
The fig filling should be cooked until it reaches a thin jam consistency, which takes about 10-15 minutes.
How much sugar is needed for the dough?
The dough requires 1 cup of sugar, separate from the sugar used in the filling.
What type of fat is used in the dough?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of softened butter.
How many eggs are in the recipe?
One large egg, beaten, is used for the dough.
Can I use milk instead of cream?
Yes, you can use either 1 tablespoon of cream or milk to add moisture to the dough.
What provides the flavor profile in the dough?
The flavor comes from 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
How much flour is required?
The recipe uses 1 3/4 cups of flour.
Does the dough require a leavening agent?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of baking powder is whisked into the flour.
How long should the dough be chilled?
The dough should be wrapped in plastic and refrigerated for at least 1 hour to firm up.
What is the first step in preparing the dough after chilling?
Divide the dough into two equal halves and knead one half about 6 times on a floured surface until smooth.
How thick should the dough be rolled out?
The dough should be rolled out into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick.
What oven temperature is needed?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
What size baking dish should be used?
A 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish is recommended.
How do you assemble the Fig Newtons?
Line the dish with the first half of the dough, spread the filling evenly, then place the second half of the dough over it and seal the edges.
How long do they need to bake?
Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden.
When should I cut the cookies?
Let the Fig Newtons cool completely in the baking dish before cutting them.
How many cookies does this recipe make?
Depending on how you cut them, this recipe can yield up to 2 dozen cookies.
Are these cookies soft or crunchy?
These Homemade Fig Newton Delights are soft and chewy.
What is the best way to serve them?
They can be enjoyed on their own or paired with a cup of tea.
Can I use different types of figs?
The recipe is versatile and works well with either dried or fresh figs.
What should I do if the dough is too soft to roll?
Ensure it has been chilled for at least 1 hour; if it is still too soft, use a well-floured surface for rolling.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 10 main ingredients including figs, sugar, water, butter, egg, cream, vanilla, salt, baking powder, and flour.
Is the fig filling cooked before it goes in the oven?
Yes, the figs and sugar are cooked on a saucepan over medium heat until they reach a jam consistency before assembly.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include dessert, cookies, figs, baking, treats, homemade, and snacks.
What is the preparation method for the egg?
The egg should be beaten before being added to the butter and sugar mixture.