Decadent Fig and Cream Cheese Bars Recipe
Decadent Fig and Cream Cheese Bars combine a buttery crumble base with a sweet fig compote and a smooth cream cheese topping. This layered dessert offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors, featuring a crisp pastry bottom, a rich fruity middle, and a creamy finish. Ideal for gatherings or an indulgent treat, these bars bake to golden perfection and are best served cool.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crumble Base
- 170 g all-purpose flour
- 80 g brown sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 90 g cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
For the Fig Compote
- 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 Layer
- 170 g cream cheese, softened
- 40 g granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
Other
- Oil for greasing the baking pan
Instructions
- Prepare the Crumble Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Add the cold unsalted butter pieces and rub them into the dry ingredients with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Using cold butter helps create a tender, flaky crumble texture.
- Assemble the Crumble Base: Grease or line a 20×30 cm baking pan with a small amount of oil. Press the crumble dough evenly over the base of the pan, compacting it slightly into a solid, even layer. This will form the sturdy base for the bars.
- Prepare the Fig Compote: Place the chopped dried figs, water, and granulated sugar in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes until the figs soften. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Transfer the figs along with the cooking liquid into a blender. Add the fresh lemon juice and blend until smooth to make a luscious fig compote.
- Spread the Fig Mixture: Evenly spread the blended fig compote over the crumble base in the baking pan, covering the entire surface carefully to create a fruity layer.
- Make the Cream Cheese Layer: In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and the egg until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. This will form the rich, creamy topping for the bars.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the cream cheese mixture evenly over the fig layer in the baking pan. Use a spatula to smooth the surface. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (356°F) for 30 minutes, or until the cream cheese topping is set and lightly golden. Let the bars cool completely before slicing into squares for serving.
Notes
- Use very cold butter for the crumble to achieve the best texture.
- You can adjust the sugar in the fig compote based on the sweetness of your dried figs.
- Real vanilla extract enhances the flavor significantly compared to imitation vanilla.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the cream cheese layer.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting to help them set properly and avoid crumbling.
- These bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Keywords: fig bars, cream cheese bars, dessert bars, crumble base, fig compote, baked desserts
