Description
A delightful homemade treat, these oatmeal fig bars bring the perfect balance of sweetness and texture, with a homemade fig filling and crisp oat topping.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 and 1/2 cups dried figs (chopped stems removed)
- 1/2 cup water (for softening figs)
- 2 Tablespoons orange juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (for flavor)
- 1/3 cup coconut oil (melted or substitute with butter)
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (natural sweetener)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (light or dark packed)
- 1 large egg (at room temperature)
- 1 and 2/3 cups rolled oats (old-fashioned or quick oats for texture)
- 1 cup whole wheat flour (spooned and leveled for accurate measurement)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder (for leavening)
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for warmth)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (adds spice)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (enhances flavor)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal after baking.
- In a medium saucepan, combine chopped figs, water, and orange juice. Cook over medium heat for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until figs soften and absorb some of the liquid. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract, and let cool for 5 minutes. Transfer to a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together melted coconut oil, maple syrup, brown sugar, and egg until fully combined. Stir in oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Once the mixture thickens, switch to a spoon or spatula to combine. You will have about 2 and 1/2 cups of the crust/topping mixture.
- Take just over 1 and 1/2 cups of the crust mixture and evenly press it into the lined pan. Spread the fig filling on top in an even layer. Spoon the remaining crust mixture on top, gently pressing it down to ensure it’s compacted.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned. Avoid over-baking. 8-inch pans may take closer to 30 minutes, while 9-inch pans will take closer to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack.
- Once cooled completely, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into squares.
Notes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg