Description
These Decadent Fig and Cream Cheese Bars are a perfect sweet treat combining a buttery crust, a luscious cream cheese filling, and a rich, naturally sweet fig topping. Ideal for satisfying your dessert cravings with a sophisticated fruit twist, these bars are easy to make and perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (substitute with gluten-free flour if desired)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (light or dark works well)
- 1/8 teaspoon salt (enhances flavors)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (cold, cut into pieces)
Fig Topping
- 1 cup dried figs (Turkish or Mission figs recommended)
- 1 cup water (to soften figs)
- 1-2 tablespoons sugar (optional, based on taste)
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (brightens flavor)
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (real vanilla preferred)
- 1 large egg (helps bind the filling)
Instructions
- Prepare the fig topping: Place dried figs and water in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until figs soften and water reduces slightly, about 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally. Remove from heat, mash figs gently, add sugar if desired, and stir in lemon juice. Set aside to cool.
- Make the crust: In a mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and salt. Cut in cold unsalted butter pieces using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press about two-thirds of the mixture evenly into the bottom of a greased 9×9-inch baking pan to form the crust.
- Prepare the cream cheese filling: In a bowl, beat softened cream cheese with sugar, vanilla extract, and egg until smooth and creamy without lumps. Be careful not to overmix to preserve a fluffy texture.
- Assemble the bars: Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the crust layer in the pan. Carefully spoon and spread the fig topping mixture on top of the cream cheese layer.
- Add remaining crust crumb topping: Sprinkle the remaining crust mixture evenly over the fig layer, gently pressing it down to adhere.
- Bake the bars: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the baking pan in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the filling is set.
- Cool and serve: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, cut into 12 bars and serve.
Notes
- You can substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour to make these bars gluten-free.
- Dried figs should be soft; if too hard, soak longer in warm water before cooking.
- Adjust the sugar in the fig topping to taste depending on the sweetness of your figs.
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the filling.
- Bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
