Decadent Fig and Cream Cheese Bars Recipe
Decadent Fig and Cream Cheese Bars offer a delightful combination of a buttery crumble crust, a sweet and tangy fig compote layer, and a smooth, creamy cream cheese topping. Perfect for dessert or an indulgent snack, these bars balance rich textures with natural fruit sweetness and a hint of lemon.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars (about 4x4 cm pieces) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the crust:
- 170 g all-purpose flour
- 80 g brown sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 90 g cold unsalted butter
For the fig layer:
- 400 g dried figs
- 1 cup (250 ml) water
- 40 g granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
For the cream cheese topping:
- 170 g cream cheese, softened
- 40 g granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Prepare the Crumble Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine 170 g flour, 80 g brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Add 90 g cold unsalted butter cut into small pieces. Rub the butter into the dry ingredients using your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This will form the crumble dough for the base.
- Assemble the Crumble Base: Grease or line a 20×30 cm baking pan with a small amount of oil. Pour the crumble dough into the pan and press evenly over the bottom, compacting slightly to form a solid base.
- Prepare the Fig Compote: Remove stems and chop 400 g dried figs. Place them in a small saucepan with 1 cup water and 40 g sugar. Cook for 5 minutes until softened. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Transfer figs and liquid to a blender, add 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, and blend until smooth.
- Spread the Fig Mixture: Evenly spread the blended fig mixture over the crumble base in the baking pan, covering the entire surface.
- Make the Cream Cheese Layer: In a bowl, beat 170 g softened cream cheese with 40 g sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 large egg until smooth and creamy. This will be the creamy topping for the bars.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the cream cheese mixture over the fig layer in the pan. Spread gently and evenly with a spatula. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (356°F) for 30 minutes, or until the top is set and lightly golden. Allow to cool completely before slicing into bars.
Notes
- Use very cold butter for the crust to ensure a crumbly texture.
- Adjust sugar in the fig compote to taste, depending on the sweetness of the dried figs.
- Soften cream cheese to room temperature for easier blending and smoother texture.
- Let bars cool completely before slicing to retain their shape.
- Storage: Keep bars refrigerated and consume within 3-4 days for best freshness.
Keywords: fig bars, cream cheese bars, fig dessert, crumble crust, baked bars, fig compote dessert
