Decadent Fig and Cream Cheese Bars Recipe
Delightfully rich and flavorful, these Decadent Fig and Cream Cheese Bars feature a buttery crumble crust, a sweet and tangy fig compote, and a smooth, creamy cream cheese topping. Perfect as a sophisticated dessert or an indulgent snack, these bars combine the natural sweetness of dried figs with the lusciousness of cream cheese in every bite.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 9 to 12 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
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, 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
- 40 g sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Prepare the Crumble Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine 170 g all-purpose flour, 80 g brown sugar, a pinch of salt, and 90 g cold unsalted butter cut into small pieces. Rub the butter into the dry ingredients with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, forming the crumble dough for the base.
- Assemble the Crumble Base: Grease or line a 20×30 cm baking pan lightly with oil. Pour the crumble dough into the pan and press it evenly over the bottom with your hands, compacting slightly to form a solid crust.
- Prepare the Fig Compote: Place the chopped figs in a small saucepan with 1 cup (250 ml) 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. Transfer the figs and cooking liquid to a blender, add 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, and blend until smooth.
- Spread the Fig Mixture: Evenly spread the blended fig compote over the prepared crumble base in the baking pan, ensuring the entire surface is covered.
- Make the Cream Cheese Layer: In a bowl, beat 170 g softened cream cheese, 40 g sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 large egg together until smooth and creamy to form the topping.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the cream cheese mixture over the fig layer in the pan, spreading it evenly. Bake the assembled bars in a preheated oven at 175°C (350°F) for about 35-40 minutes until the cream cheese layer is set and lightly golden on top. Allow to cool completely before slicing into bars.
Notes
- Use very cold butter to achieve a perfect crumble texture for the crust.
- You can adjust the sugar in the fig compote to taste depending on the sweetness of your dried figs.
- Allow bars to cool completely for clean slicing and best texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 5 days.
- For a dairy-free alternative, substitute cream cheese with a vegan cream cheese of your choice.
