How to make Fig Newtons with fresh figs.

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If you’re asking how to make fig newtons with fresh figs you’re in the right place. 

If you’re a diabetic or trying to lose weight please pay attention.

Here’s how you too, like Nabisco can make your own homemade fig newtons.

But here’s the best part.

This fig can be enjoyed by anyone who has asked these questions.

But that’s not all.

It can be enjoyed by even toddlers and man best friends (your dogs)

This is a slight variation made by the Philadelphia baker and fig lover Charles Rover. 

Here’s why.

It does not use the same extrusion process Charles Rover used in 1891.

Now that we have gotten that out of the way, let’s get going.

See also Are fig newtons good for diabetics?

How to make Fig Newtons with fresh figs.

The process on how to make fig newtons from fresh figs will be separated into two parts.

Part one is making the dough while the other part is making the paste-like fillings from figs. 

However, most people prefer jam from stores.

Here are my little tips to shop for healthy jams.

Avoid jam that contains any of the following artificial sweeteners and preservatives. 

  • High fructose corn syrup 
  • sucralose
  • Aspartame
  • Sodium nitride
  • Sodium and potassium benzoate
  • Potassium acesulfame.
  • Red and yellow dyes.

However, if you’re making your own fig newtons chances are you’d make your own jams too. 

However, make sure stored brought jams are cooked down.

Here’s why.

Using store-bought jams as it is makes the jam seep out of the dough. 

Fig Newton ingredients list 

  • ¾ cup almond all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon or cardamom (optional)
  • ¾ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¾  teaspoon of pink or kosher (salt without aluminum trisilicate)
  • 10 tablespoons natural unsalted butter at room temperature
  • ¼ cup (packed) dark brown sugar/stevia 
  • 3 large egg yolks (grass-fed chicken)
  • 3 tablespoons honey (natural honey)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon finely grated orange zest

MAKING THE FILLINGS AND ASSEMBLY

  • 2 pints of quartered and trimmed black figs. 
  • ¾ cup fresh orange juice
  • 5 tablespoons honey
  • ¼ teaspoon pink/kosher salt
  • 2 large eggs (from grass-fed chickens) 
  • All-purpose wheat or almond flour (for dough dusting)

LIST OF MATERIAL USED.

  • Electric mixer
  • Bowls
  • Oven
  • Saucepan
  • Baking sheet
  • Baking bars
  • Large spoon/masher
  • Knife 
  • Wire rack
  • Egg Brush 

First Step To make the dough 

  • Mix almond and whole wheat flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. (optional) Cinnamon or cardamom 
  • Place the Flour Mixture into an electric mixer on medium speed and allow to mix. 
  • Place butter and brown sugar in a large bowl and beat for 2-4 minutes till it turns fluffy and light 
  • Add egg and yolks and beat for 2-3 minutes until it turns fluffy. 
  • Add the orange zest, natural honey, and vanilla, and beat for 1-2 minutes till it turns homogeneous. 
  • Turn the mixer speed to low and slowly add mixture from the bowl and stir/beat until it blends together.

(Note the dough will be very soft). 

  • Divide the dough into different parts, wrap each piece tightly in plastic, and flatten the dough to a ½” disk. 
  • Chill for at least 3 hours.

To make this process less tedious, dough can be made days ahead and stored in a chilly environment.

MAKING HOMEMADE FIG BARS WITH FRESH FIGS: FILLING AND ASSEMBLY

  • Place a mixture of (Cook figs, orange juice, honey, and salt) in a large saucepan.
  • Place this mixture over medium heat, and stir until the figs become soft (and there’s no liquid remaining in the saucepan)
  • stir and cook until the figs are very soft for at least 25 minutes. 
  • Mash the figs into smaller pieces and continue cooking and stirring.
  • Stir the mixture until it becomes a thick paste-like jelly-like jam or butter. 
  • Scrape the thick jelly paste-like sauce onto a wide plate and spread it into a thin layer.
  • Leave uncovered and allow to cool 

Assembling HOMEMADE FIG Bar with fresh figs

  • Beat an egg and 2 tablespoons of water into a small bowl and stir until it is homogeneous. 
  • Scrape the paste-like sauce into any cold zip-top bag and make a small opening to allow air in. 

Note: If you’ve made the dough in advance chances are it might be cold, stiff, and hard to manage.

  • If the dough is too soft, place it in the fridge, and allow it to cool for at least ten minutes, or place it into a dish and roll it out again.
  • Roll the dough on a rectangle of 10″X4 ” dish parchment or waxed paper that is floured into either 8 X 3 inches or 10 X 4 inches and 1 inch of dough thick.
  • Trim excess flour at the edges to make it even.
  • Place 1 inch of fillings/jams off center down the dough at the shorter end.
  • Using a brush apply generously along the edges of the dough the homogeneous egg and water mixture
  • Fold the opposite edges of the dough to completely cover the fillings/jam and smooth out the edges.
  • Repeat the steps until all dough and jam are completely used.
  • Preheat your oven to 320°C and place a rack in the center of the oven.
  • Make a 1-inch deep cut on this dough to allow heat to penetrate the dough.
  • Place on a baking sheet and brush with the egg wash mixture
  • Place all dough bars half inches apart on the same sheet
  • Place baking sheets into the oven and rotate until it turns golden brown.

This should last at least between 12-15 minutes.

  • Let the fig bars cool on the sheet for at least 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool. 

Always remember fig newtons can be made days ahead, and stored in an airtight container container.

Wrap up on; how to make fig newtons with fresh figs

If you’ve followed this guide on making homemade fig newtons. 

I congratulate you for making the best homemade fig newtons from fresh figs.

Here’s why.

It’s because you do care about your health.

You deserve to enjoy healthy snacks without worries, fears, or anxiety

However, make sure to eat and enjoy this recipe with friends and relatives.

But that’s not all.

Share these tips to diabetics trying to lose weight and enjoy healthy snacks.

Here’s a summary of precautions to avoid for anyone searching for how to make fig newtons with fresh figs at home.

  • Avoid jam or butter that contains artificial sweeteners.
  • Avoid honey that contains artificial sweeteners and preservatives like sodium nitrides, sodium, and potassium benzoate. 
  • Butter should be fresh organic butter from grass-fed cows. 
  • Almond buckwheat or wheat flour should be used by diabetics or anyone trying to lose weight.
  • Avoid eggs from chicken that are fed with corn. 
  • Avoid salts that contain aluminum trisilicate as caking agents because it contains aluminum which is associated with Alzheimer’s disease. 
  • And much more. 

Here’s why this list of precautions.

Diabetes is projected to affect 1.3 billion in 2050. Source

A large portion will be diabetic because of foods and lifestyle choices.

Can one decision change one’s life? 

Here’s why you, my friend, are well qualified to help.

I’m sure you’re a good person, who wants to join us in the quest to reduce diabetes ignorance right?

Let me make it easy for you not to let this opportunity to help a diabetic slip out of your grasp. 

You’ll too be doing your path to help millions of diabetics lose weight by sharing these recipes with them too.

While it’s fresh in your mind, share with thousands of diabetics now. 

Always remember, You’re diagnosed, you’re not defeated.

Cara Becca.

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