Exploits of a Vegan Wannabe

I have always loved Fig Newtons. Their sponge cake meets shortbread attitude and unapologetic lack of sweetness have captivated me since childhood. I have loved them long before I knew a fig was a fruit. I thought it was a filling.

A few days ago I purchased what looked like a small suitcase of fresh figs. They were luxurious and inexpensive, a must have for sure.  I immediately thought, I would like to make fig bars.  I didn’t want to sully their perfection by baking them, so I made them raw, a slight twist on my old fave, fresh fig bars.

To replicate the pale and unmistakable exterior of a Fig Newton, I used Macadamia nuts for the crust.  Add a dash of salt and the taste was a dead ringer for the classic. I was very excited. I hope you enjoy this fresh and lively fig bar as much as I have.

Fresh  Fig Bars

by: S. Duquet

Crust Ingredients

8 chopped dates pits removed

1/2 C almond meal

1 C macadamia nuts

1/4 tsp sea salt

Filling Ingredients

14 fresh figs (tip removed and cut in half)

zest of 1 orange

juice of 1/2 orange

2 Tbsp Chia seeds

Make It Happen

Lightly grease an 8 x 8 pan with coconut oil and set aside

Put crust ingredients into food processor and pulse until blended into a crumbly crust. Crust will be moist and sticky from the dates.

Form crust inside 8 x8 pan, pushing crust up sides slightly. Pack tightly and evenly. Cover and freeze for an hour.

While crust is setting, place filling ingredients into food processor and pulse until smooth.

Pour filling into set crust and smooth out the top. Cover and refreeze for an hour, then cut into desired size and shape. At this point your bars are ready to enjoy.

If you would like them more firm or to wrap them individually, you will want to freeze them a while longer. Once mine were cut,  I froze them over night. The next day when I was ready to eat two slices, I took  them out of the freezer and let them thaw for a minute or two before enjoying.

A few whirls of the processor, a stay in the deep freeze and you have fresh, raw fig bars to enjoy all week.  Yesterday I had one with a mug of herbal tea when I returned from work. Now that is a snack that loved me back.

Have a delicious day.

Tags: compassionate eating, fresh fig bars, oil free dessert recipe, plant based diet, raw fig bars, raw food recipe, raw snacks, raw vegan desserts, vegan dessert recipe, vegan fig bars, vegan snacks, vegan wannabe