Homemade Fig Newtons
Sticking with the theme of the week, I made some Fig Newtons. I’m sure they’re still loaded with sugar and all sorts of crap, but by not being coated in a layer of chocolate, they always seemed like the healthy alternative. I was kind of a weird kid and actually loved Fig Newtons growing up.
The dough for these cookies is very good. When they first come out of the oven, they’re a bit crispy, but the next day they’re nice and soft. I felt that my cookies were a bit doughy and I would have liked the figgy filling to shine a bit more. If I made these again, I’d make less dough for the same amount of filling. I’ve those thoughts in the recipe below. If anyone makes these, let me know what you think of the ratio.
When I was buying the figs, I asked the employee at Trader Joe’s what the difference between the black and green ones was (I didn’t even know there were different colors of figs until then!). He told me the black ones were sweeter. I had no idea which would be better for this recipe, so I used 1 lb of green and 1 lb of black figs. Feel free to use whatever you have on hand.
Fig Newtons
Yield: ~40
Ingredients:
For the Dough
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon or orange zest
1 large egg white
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
For the Filling
2 lbs fresh figs
1/4 cup sugar
Juice of half a lemon
Directions:
Make the dough
Cream together the butter, sugar and zest in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, for 2-3 minutes on medium speed. Scrape down the bowl and paddle.
Add the egg white and vanilla and beat in. Scrape down the bowl and paddle again.
Add the flour and beat on low speed until the dough comes together.
Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
Make the filling
Cut the figs in half and scoop out the seeds and pulp with a spoon. In a medium sauce pan, combine figs, sugar, and lemon juice. Mash mixture a few times with a potato masher or fork.
Cook mixture over medium-high heat until bubbling and sugar has dissolved; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes, until it has reduced by about one-third and is beginning to gel. Set aside until completely cool.
Assemble the Fig Newtons
Place racks in middle and lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
On a floured surface, roll the dough out to a 12 x 16 rectangle. Cut into 4 equal strips, each 12 x 4 inches. Spoon a line of filling down the center of each strip. Fold the dough over the filling and pinch the edges together. Using a serrated knife, slice each log on the diagonal into 10 cookies. Place each cookie on the parchment-lined baking sheets, seam side down.
Bake, rotating the baking sheets from top to bottom and front to back halfway through, for 12-15 minutes, until golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on a rack.
Dough Recipe from The Boastful Baker
Filling Recipe from Big City, Little Kitchen
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
This cake looks great and I will definitely try those cupcakes, they sound awesome x
I’m right there with you husband – I adore blueberries! This cake looks absolutely delicious :).
I’ve bought a whole bunch of reduced price ingredients at TJ Maxx and Marshalls – I always scope out their food section!
*your husband, not you husband 😉
In the ingredients you have listed yogurt but in the instructions you have buttermilk…can you just clarify which it is? I am going to the store and want to buy what I need to make this today!
Gia – Sorry for the confusion – I have updated the recipe instructions. I used yogurt instead of buttermilk like the original recipe states. Either one would work just fine.
This cake looks amazing. Great photos.
the only reason why i like blueberries is cos they are good for eyesight! haha. your cake looks delectable (:
We blueberries,t oo. Actually we love all berries and they pair well with both almond and lemon.
Btw, No way would we thing of leaving off that yummy glaze.
Thanks for sharing!
~ingrid
How far in advance can i make this ? Will it hold 2-3 days?