Oatmeal Fig Bars

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Sally’s

Total Time

3 hours (includes cooling)

Prep Time

25 minutes

Cook Time

28 minutes

Rating

(59)

Ingredients

16 bars

1 and 1/2 cups (about 230g) chopped dried figs, stems removed
1/2 cup (120ml) water
2 Tablespoons (30ml) orange juice
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup (70g) coconut oil, melted (or use melted butter)
1/4 cup (60ml) pure maple syrup
1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 and 2/3 cups (142g) old-fashioned whole rolled oats (or quick oats)
1 cup (130g) whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt

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Preparation

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Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang on the sides to easily remove the bars when they have cooled. Set aside.

Step 2

Make the filling: Combine the chopped dried figs, water, and orange juice together in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook while stirring occasionally for 5-8 minutes or until figs are soft and have absorbed some of the liquid. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Cool for 5 minutes, and then transfer to a food processor or blender and puree until there are no more chunks (fig seeds will not break down). Set aside. Makes about 1 and 1/4 cups filling.

Step 3

Make the crust/topping: In a large bowl, whisk the melted coconut oil, maple syrup, brown sugar, and egg together. Add the oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Begin whisking to combine and once the mixture becomes too thick, switch to a spoon or silicone spatula to bring the ingredients together. You will have about 2 and 1/2 cups of this crust/topping mixture.

Step 4

Take a little over 1 and 1/2 cups of the crust/topping mixture and press it evenly into the lined pan. Spread fig filling in an even layer on top. Spoon remaining crust/topping mixture evenly on top and gently press it down into the filling to ensure it’s tight and compact on top.

Step 5

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the top has lightly browned. Avoid over-baking. 8 inch pans take closer to 30 minutes, 9 inch pans take closer to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and place the pan on a wire rack. Cool bars completely.

Step 6

Lift the bars out using the parchment paper overhang on the sides. Cut into squares.

Step 7

Cover leftover bars and store at room temperature for up to 4 days or in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

Chef’s notes

Freezing Instructions:

Freeze cut bars in single layers between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-friendly container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before enjoying.

Dried Figs:

There are many brands of dried figs out there. I use and love a brand called Sunny Fruit. These are Turkish figs which are often labeled as Smyrna figs. There are also Black Mission dried figs, which aren’t quite as large as Smyrna figs. You can use either variety. Do not use fresh figs in this recipe. Dried figs can be quite small and shriveled or you can find plumper rehydrated figs. Either will work here because we are cooking the chopped dried figs for the filling.

Fig Jam:

Readers have asked about using fig jam. I have not tested it to be certain, but I can’t see why that wouldn’t work instead of the homemade filling. You’ll need about 1 and 1/4 cups jam.

Oats:

Whole oats are best, but you can use quick oats if needed. The crust/topping will just be a little more crumbly. Use a 1

Substitutions:

For any substitution information, see section above recipe.

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Oatmeal Fig Bars

Ingredients

Preparation

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Chef’s notes

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