Decadent Fig and Cream Cheese Bars Recipe

Introduction

These Decadent Fig and Cream Cheese Bars combine a buttery crumble crust, a luscious fig compote, and a creamy vanilla-infused topping. Perfect for a sweet snack or an elegant dessert, they bring together rich textures and natural fruit sweetness in every bite.

Ingredients

• 170 g all-purpose flour
• 80 g brown sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 90 g cold unsalted butter
• 400 g dried figs
• 1 cup (250 ml) water
• 40 g granulated sugar
• 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 170 g cream cheese, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 40 g sugar (for cream cheese mixture)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, pinch of salt, and cold unsalted butter cut into small pieces. Rub the butter into the dry ingredients with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs to form the crumble dough for the base.
2. Step 2: Grease or lightly oil a 20×30 cm baking pan. Pour the crumble dough into the pan and press it evenly over the bottom using your hands, compacting it slightly to create a solid base.
3. Step 3: Remove stems from dried figs and cut them into smaller pieces. Place figs in a small saucepan with 1 cup of water and 40 g granulated sugar. Cook for 5 minutes until softened, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
4. Step 4: Transfer the figs and cooking liquid to a blender. Add 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice and blend until smooth. Spread this fig mixture evenly over the crumble base in the baking pan.
5. Step 5: In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with 40 g sugar, vanilla extract, and one large egg until smooth and creamy. This creates the cream cheese topping.
6. Step 6: Pour the cream cheese mixture evenly over the fig layer in the pan. Bake according to your preferred temperature and time until the topping is set and lightly golden.

Tips & Variations

• Use very cold butter for the crumble dough to achieve a tender, crumbly texture.
• Adjust the amount of sugar in the fig compote based on the sweetness of your figs.
• For extra flavor, use real vanilla extract rather than imitation.
• You can substitute dried figs with dates or prunes for a different twist.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Before serving, allow them to sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes for best texture. Reheat gently in a low oven if desired.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh figs instead of dried?

Fresh figs contain more moisture, so the compote will be less thick. You may need to cook them longer to reduce liquid or adjust other ingredients for texture.

Can I make the crust gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend in equal amounts. The texture might vary slightly but will still be delicious.

Decadent Fig and Cream Cheese Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 147 reviews

These Decadent Fig and Cream Cheese Bars feature a buttery crumble crust, a sweet and tangy fig compote layer, and a smooth cream cheese topping. Perfect as a sophisticated dessert or an indulgent snack, they combine rich textures and natural fruit sweetness for an unforgettable treat.

• Author: Marco
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Crust:

• 170 g all-purpose flour
• 80 g brown sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 90 g cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

For the Fig Layer:

• 400 g dried figs, stems removed and chopped
• 1 cup (250 ml) water
• 40 g granulated sugar
• 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice

For the Cream Cheese Topping:

• 170 g cream cheese, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (preferably pure vanilla)
• 1 large egg
• 40 g granulated sugar

Instructions

1. Prepare the Crumble Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, a pinch of salt, and cold unsalted butter cut into small pieces. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This creates the crumble dough for the base, and using very cold butter helps achieve a tender texture.
2. Assemble the Crumble Base: Grease or lightly oil a 20×30 cm baking pan. Transfer the crumble dough into the pan and press it evenly over the bottom with your hands, compacting the mixture slightly to form a solid, even base.
3. Prepare the Fig Compote: Place the cleaned and chopped dried figs into a small saucepan, add 1 cup (250 ml) of water and 40 g granulated sugar. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes until the figs soften. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Then transfer the figs and cooking liquid to a blender, add 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, and blend until smooth to form the fig mixture.
4. Spread the Fig Mixture: Evenly spread the smooth fig compote over the crumble base in the baking pan, covering the entire surface with the fig layer.
5. Make the Cream Cheese Layer: In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with 40 g sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 large egg until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Using pure vanilla extract enhances the flavor significantly.
6. Assemble and Bake: Pour the cream cheese mixture evenly over the fig layer in the pan. Bake the assembled bars at 180°C (350°F) for about 30-35 minutes or until the cream cheese layer is set and slightly golden on top. Allow to cool before cutting into bars.

Notes

• Using very cold butter in the crust helps create a tender, flaky texture.
• If you prefer a sweeter fig layer, you can adjust the sugar quantity in the compote to taste.
• Pure vanilla extract provides a richer flavor compared to imitation vanilla.
• Let the bars cool completely before slicing to ensure clean cuts.
• Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Keywords: fig bars, cream cheese dessert, baked dessert bars, fig compote, crumble crust, homemade fig bars, dessert bars with cream cheese