Handcrafted Fig Bars & Orchard Choice California Fig Spreads

Recently we received a delicious package from Valley Fig Growers of their new Orchard Choice California Fig Spreads:

If you never thought yourself a fan of figs or fig spreads, this may change your views. From traditional, to citrus, to flavors that complement savory meals, the 4 flavors are sooo good! Look at this grilled cheese, made with the California Orange flavor. It takes a simple sandwich and pushes it over the top….savory, sweet, tart….

After eating my fill of grilled cheese sammies, goat cheese with fig spread and whatever else I could find to have it on…I thought about what I’d love to try it in. I love fig bars, but not commercially made ones (those are just…ummm…yuck). These are not quick cookies by any means, but are well worth the time. They won’t last long in the cookie jar! Pssst! See after the recipe for a chance to win some to sample yourself!

Handcrafted Fig Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 cup shortening (preferably non-hydrogenated, such as Spectrum Organic Shortening)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1½ tsp Ener-G Egg Replacer + 2 Tbsp warm water, or 1 large egg
• ¼ cup milk, dairy or unsweetened non-dairy
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp fine sea salt
• 1 jar Orchard Choice California Fig Spread (we used Organic Mission Fig Spread)

Directions:

Mix Ener-G and warm water together, set aside. Add shortening and both sugars to a stand mixer, beat on low until creamed. Add in Ener-G mixture, milk and vanilla, beat in till smooth.

Stir flour, baking soda and salt together in a bowl, add to wet, beat on low until mixed in.

Spread out a sheet of plastic wrap, scrape dough onto it, wrap into a disc, refrigerate for at least an hour.

Preheat oven to 375°, line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Cut dough into quarters, leaving remaining sections chilled while you work. Liberally flour a work surface, roll each section out to an 8×12″ rectangle, you may have to keep sifting a bit of flour on as work the dough to prevent sticking. Cut crosswise into 6 strips, each 2″ wide (a pizza cutter or bench scraper is suggested). Stir up the fig spread well, spread 1-2 Tablespoons down the center of 3 strips. Top each strip with another strip. Press down on the edges with a fork (dip in flour to prevent sticking), then use your pizza cutter or bench scraper to cut each strip into 4 2″ sections, crimp the exposed edges. Carefully move to a baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until golden brown. Let sit for a few minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Repeat with each section of dough.

Makes about 4 dozen.

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Would you like to have a chance to try win a variety 4-pack gift box of Orchard Choice California Fig Spreads for yourself?

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FTC Disclosure: We received product for our review and in our recipe development.