Soft and Crumbly Fig Streusel Bars

Use either fresh or dried figs to make delicious fig streusel bars topped with a crumbly streusel for a dessert that kids and adults will enjoy.

The only way a fig had ever been eaten in my house was in a Fig Newton. Then one day we found ourselves with a bucket full of fresh figs from a neighbors fig tree. Other than trying to make our own Fig Newtons, I had no clue what to do with these figs. But we weren’t going to let them go bad, either. Honestly, I wasn’t even sure what exactly a fig tastes like to know what type of food to make with them. Fig Streusel Bars seemed to be a good option.

The boys tried them on their own and weren’t too keen on the figs. I think they didn’t like the texture of the fresh figs. But, I don’t blame them, I didn’t either. 

In our search for a recipe, we came across quite a few recipes that used them to make a snack bar. I thought about trying to make homemade Fig Newtons. But that sounded like way more work than I wanted at the time (I may still try it one day). 

We’ve now made these Fig Streusel Bars twice, once with fresh figs, the other with dried figs. We all preferred the fresh figs, but our local grocery store doesn’t keep them fresh. I actually ran into the store manager when I was there. He asked if I was finding everything ok and I told him no. I couldn’t find figs and he brought me to the aisle with dried fruit. I said I was hoping for fresh and he said they didn’t sell enough so he doesn’t stock them anymore. 

The Fig Streusel Bars are similar to my lemon bars. I made a crust in the same way. The filling is just quite different.

Step by Step

Preheat your oven to 350F and grease a square baking dish. Prepare all of your crust ingredients.

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, make the crust. Beat the butter, sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer. Use the lowest speed on the mixer to beat in the flour until it makes a soft dough that may be slightly crumbly.

Press the dough into the bottom of the greased pan. Bake for about 15 minutes, until the center is set.

Chop the figs into small pieces. You want them big enough to still have shape. But small enough that they are bite-sized even for the kids. 

While the crust is baking, add the figs to a small saucepan. If you are using fresh figs, add the sugar but do not add the water. If the figs are dried, then you need to add one cup of water. Heat the figs over high heat for about 10-12 minutes making sure to stir frequently so they don’t stick to the pan. Heat until most of the liquid has absorbed. 

Once the crust is set and cools for a few minutes, spread the fig mixture over the crust. 

In a small bowl, use a pastry blender (or two butter knives) to cut the cold butter into the flour and brown sugar.

Then stir in the oats. 

Sprinkle the topping over the figs and bake for about 15-20 minutes. The edges should start to bubble and the topping will cook to a golden brown color. 

Let the bars cool completely, usually about one hour, before cutting into bars. 

Recipe

Fig Streusel Bars

Use either fresh or dried figs to make delicious fruit bars topped with a crumbly streusel for a dessert that kids and adults will enjoy.

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Cooling Time 1 hour hour

Total Time 50 minutes minutes

Course:

Snack

Cuisine:

American

Keyword:

fig

|

streusel

Servings: 16 bars

5 from 6 votes

Ingredients

Crust

• 8 tbsp butter (softened)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour

Filling

• 9 oz dried figs
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup water

Streusel

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 3 tbsp butter (cold)
• 1/4 cup oats

Recommended Equipment

• 8×8 Baking Dish
• Mixing Bowls – Stainless Steel
• Electric Mixer
• Chef Knife
• Saucepan – Medium
• Pastry Blender

Instructions

Crust

• Preheat your oven to 350F and grease a square baking dish
• In a medium-sized mixing bowl, make the crust by beating the butter, sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer until it’s well blended
• Use the lowest speed on the mixer to beat in the flour until it makes a soft dough that may be slightly crumbly
• Press the dough into the bottom of the greased pan and bake for about 15 minutes, until the center is set

Filling

• Chop the figs into small pieces
• While the crust is baking, add the figs to a small saucepan with the sugar and water
• Heat the figs over high heat for about 10-12 minutes making sure to stir frequently so they don’t stick to the pan until most of the liquid has absorbed
• Once the crust is set and cools for a few minutes, spread the fig mixture over the crust

Streusel

• In a small bowl, use a pastry blender (or two butter knives) to cut the cold butter into the flour and brown sugar then stir in the oats
• Sprinkle the topping over the figs and bake for about 15-20 minutes
• Let the bars cool completely, usually about one hour, before cutting into bars

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Nutrition Facts

Fig Streusel Bars

Amount Per Serving (1 bar)

Calories 187 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Saturated Fat 5g25%

Cholesterol 20mg7%

Sodium 73mg3%

Potassium 125mg4%

Carbohydrates 28g9%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 17g19%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 245IU5%

Vitamin C 0.2mg0%

Calcium 33mg3%

Iron 0.9mg5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.

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