Fabulous Fig Bars

Sweet and buttery treat with crunchy walnuts and a dash or citrus. For breakfast, snack, or on the go!

Prep time: 45 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Makes: 24 bars (about 2.5 x 2 inches)

Ingredients

16 ounces dried figs, chopped

½ cup chopped walnuts

⅓ cup sugar

¼ cup orange juice (juice from ½ orange)

2 Tablespoons hot water

½ cup margarine or butter, softened

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 large egg

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (try whole-wheat flour or a mix)

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 ¼ cups old fashioned rolled oats

Wash hands with soap and water.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
Combine figs, walnuts, sugar, orange juice and hot water in a mixing bowl and set aside.
Mix together margarine or butter and brown sugar until creamy. Add egg and mix until smooth.
Mix flour and baking soda. Stir into egg mixture. Blend in oats to make soft dough.
Reserve 1 cup of dough for topping. With floured fingertips, press the remaining dough into a thin layer on the bottom of the baking pan.
Spread fig mixture evenly over the dough. Crumble reserved dough over top, allowing fig mixture to show.
Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely in baking pan. Cut into 24 bars (about 2½ x 2 inches).
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes:

No dried figs? Use 3 cups chopped fresh figs. Omit the hot water and orange juice, but add 1 teaspoon lemon or orange zest (grate the outer colored part of the peel).

Want to learn more about this topic? Explore more resources from OSU Extension: Recipes