Homemade Fig Bars with Oatmeal: Simple Sweetness (Print Version)

Warm, rustic Homemade Fig Bars with Oatmeal. A wholesome, easy-to-make treat with a chewy oat crust and sweet fig filling. Perfect for snacks or breakfast!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 12 Bars
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Crust Ingredients

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup rolled oats
03 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
04 - 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
05 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Fig Filling

07 - 1 1/2 cups dried figs (about 8 oz), stems removed
08 - 1/2 cup water

→ Flavor Enhancers

09 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
10 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, let's get that oven ready! Preheat it to 375°F (190°C). Then, grab an 8x8 inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides. This makes lifting the bars out an absolute breeze later. I always forget this step and end up wrestling with stuck bars, so learn from my past struggles!
02 - In a medium saucepan, combine your dried figs and water. Bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let those figs soften for about 10-15 minutes. They should be nice and plump. Once soft, drain any excess water (you might not have much), then transfer the figs to a food processor with the lemon juice and vanilla. Pulse until you have a thick, jam-like paste. Don't stress if it's not perfectly smooth; a few tiny fig bits add character!
03 - In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Now, add your cold, cubed butter. Use your fingertips or a pastry blender to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This is where I sometimes get impatient and let the butter get too warm, which is an oops! Keep it crumbly, almost like wet sand.
04 - Press about two-thirds of the oatmeal crust mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared 8x8 inch pan. Really press it down firmly to form a solid base for your Homemade Fig Bars with Oatmeal. I like to use the bottom of a glass to get it super flat and compact. This layer is what gives us that satisfying chew!
05 - Carefully spread the fig filling over the pressed crust layer. Try to get it as even as possible, reaching almost to the edges. The aroma at this stage is just heavenly, a sweet, earthy promise of what's to come. Don't worry if it's not absolutely perfect; a little rustic charm is part of the appeal of these Homemade Fig Bars with Oatmeal.
06 - Crumble the remaining one-third of the oatmeal mixture evenly over the fig filling. Pop the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are lightly crisp. The whole kitchen will smell incredible, that's how you know it's getting close! Let it cool completely in the pan before lifting it out and slicing. This is the hardest part, I swear!

# Notes:

01 - Always use cold butter for a flaky crust; it makes a huge difference.
02 - Store bars in an airtight container at room temp for best texture.
03 - Try adding a pinch of cinnamon to the fig filling for extra warmth.
04 - Serve slightly warm with a cup of strong coffee or herbal tea.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - 8x8 inch baking pan
02 - parchment paper
03 - medium saucepan
04 - mixing bowls
05 - food processor (optional)

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 250
Total Fat: 10g
Total Carbohydrate: 35g
Protein: 4g

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