When you’re a Fig Newton fan, this do-it-yourself vegan fig bar recipe is the BEST wholesome swap with a fruit-sweetened filling and buttery gluten-free crust!

Gluten-Free Fig Bars Recipe (vegan)

SPONSORED BY SUNBUTTER

I’m a loyal OG fan of the fig newton cookie. I liked them lengthy earlier than they got here in a cute little two pack and twelve completely different flavors. And even with all these choices, the traditional figgy taste remains to be my favourite and all the time shall be. It’s not simply the flavour however the TEXTURE that will get me, that seedy-in-a-good-way jammy center is unmatched. And with that buttery not-too-sweet cookie to go with…it’s only a good pairing.

So after all I needed to make a do-it-yourself model – more healthy elements, a vegan gluten-free cookie made with my favourite sunflower seed butter, and an additional thick layer of fig filling – it’s a scrumptious DIY improve! And as a substitute of taking over all of your time wrapping the filling in cookie to look similar to the store-bought model (been there, performed that, doesn’t style any higher imo), we’re simply layering cookie/filling/cookie to make this recipe MUCH simpler.

Gluten-Free Fig Bars Recipe (vegan)

How To Make Do-it-yourself Fig Bars

This recipe does require a bit little bit of prep time, however most of that’s passive – watching figs boil or ready for bars to bake. The elements are fairly easy, and I’ve included a couple of choices for swaps and ingredient substitutes under…

Making the Sugar-Free Fig Filling

Don’t get me fallacious, there’s PLENTY of pure fruit sweetness concerned. Simply no added or refined sugar due to a mix of the figs themselves and orange juice. Dried mission figs are candy and seedy and scrumptious and the star of this recipe, they actually don’t want a lot to make them shine. Nonetheless a 1:1 mixture of orange juice and water (you possibly can use all OJ, however personally I believe it’s candy sufficient like this!) provides simply the correct quantity of sweetness and a slight citrus taste that goes nice with figs. You could possibly additionally use apple juice or white grape juice and a tablespoon or two of lemon juice for the citrus pop.

One VERY small however necessary step on this recipe is eradicating the stems from the dried figs. Don’t skip this until you need little arduous chunks in your fig bars (you don’t). After that the method is easy: simmer figs within the juice/water till comfortable and considerably thickened, then course of to a jammy consistency. I wish to make the filling first (and even the day earlier than) so it has time to chill whilst you prep the crust.

Making The Vegan Gluten-Free Crust

No eggs, dairy, or gluten on this buttery cookie crust. Only a easy 8-ingredient, one-bowl dough thats break up to create each the highest and backside layers. You will have:

  • Gluten-free flour. Your favourite mix, or common all function in case you aren’t gluten-free. I used King Arthur’s Gluten-Free Measure-for-Measure flour which does include xanthan gum, I haven’t examined with a flour that doesn’t.
  • Coconut sugar. Or brown sugar would work too. You could possibly attempt cane sugar, however they bars will probably be a bit drier.
  • Baking powder and salt. The opposite two dry elements we’d like for the proper crust.
  • SunButter. That is that brings in all of the buttery shortbread vibes and a deliciously “nutty” taste. I used their Natural selection, which I really like for baking as a result of it doesn’t include any sugar or salt, however any creamy selection can be high-quality. In case you are conversant in SunButter baking you realize concerning the danger of inexperienced desserts, however I didn’t have any situation with that on this recipe.
  • Coconut oil. Melted will make the dough simpler to combine. I don’t advocate subbing in one other oil, it’ll make the highest layer trickier to roll out/switch.
  • Vanilla extract. For taste.
  • Almond milk. Or any number of non-dairy milk you want. Only a splash or two to get the proper moist dough, add it slowly and don’t over do it.

Whisk the dry > add the moist > combine/knead all of it right into a ball > divide into two. About 2/3 of the dough shall be used for the underside and 1/3 for the highest layer. The underside crust is a straightforward press-in scenario that we’re par-baking earlier than including every little thing else on prime. In the meantime the highest layer must be rolled right into a suppose prime layer as a result of urgent on prime of that fig filling can be a lot too messy. The dough is simply too comfortable to roll at room temp, however in case you refrigerate or free whereas the underside crust bakes it grow to be the proper consistency for rolling and thoroughly plopping on prime. I do advocate utilizing wax or parchment paper to make this rolling/plopping course of a bit simpler.

After layering and baking, you reeeeeeally do have to allow them to cool earlier than slicing for structural integrity functions. I do know, endurance sucks. However the fig newton was by no means a cookie meant to be eaten heat, and I promise it’s definitely worth the wait.

Gluten-Free Fig Bars Recipe (vegan)

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Gluten-Free Fig Bars Recipe (vegan)

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Gluten-Free Fig Bars Recipe


  • Creator:     Natalie

  • Prep Time:     45 minutes

  • Prepare dinner Time:     25 minutes

  • Complete Time:     1 hour 10 minutes

  • Yield:     16 bars 1x

  • Class:     bars

  • Technique:     baking

  • Delicacies:     american

Description

When you’re a Fig Newton fan, this do-it-yourself vegan fig bar recipe is the BEST wholesome swap with a fruit-sweetened filling and buttery gluten-free crust!

Fig Filling

  • 12oz (340g) dried mission figs
  • 1 cup (240g) water
  • 1 cup (240g) orange juice

SunButter Crust

  • 1 1/2 cup (186g) gluten-free flour
  • 3/4 cup (105g) coconut sugar
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/3 cup (85g) Natural SunButter
  • 1/3 cup (67g) coconut oil
  • 2 tsps vanilla extract
  • 2–4 tbsp almond milk

Directions

For the filling:

  1. Take away the stems from the figs and slice every in half. 
  2. Add to a medium saucepan with the water and orange juice.
  3. Convey to a boil over excessive warmth, scale back warmth to medium and simmer quarter-hour till the figs are softened.
  4. Switch to a meals processor, course of to a jam-like consistency.
  5. Refrigerate whilst you prep the crust.

For the crust:

  1. Whisk collectively flour, coconut sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  2. Add SunButter, coconut oil (melted), and vanilla. 
  3. Combine, including almond milk 1 tablespoon at a time till you will have a cohesive ball of dough. Palms work finest for mixing right here.
  4. Press 2/3 of the dough into an 8×8″ pan lined with parchment paper. Chill the opposite 1/3.
  5. Bake 15-18 minutes at 350°F till golden across the edges.
  6. Roll out the remaining dough between two items of greased wax paper into an 8″ sq.. Place again within the fridge.
  7. Evenly unfold the fig filling on prime of the baked crust. 
  8. Fastidiously prime with the rolled out sq. of dough (it’s okay if it breaks, you’ll be able to patch the corners!)
  9. Bake 25-27 minutes at 350°F. 
  10. Cool half-hour, then refrigerate 4 hours.
  11. Slice into squares and luxuriate in.

Key phrases: gluten free, vegan, dairy free, fig newtons, cookies, bars, fruit, nut free, wholesome, do-it-yourself

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Gluten-Free Fig Bars Recipe (vegan)

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