Decadent Fig and Cream Cheese Bars Recipe
These Decadent Fig and Cream Cheese Bars feature a crumbly buttery base topped with a luscious fig compote and a smooth, creamy cream cheese layer. Baked to perfection, they offer a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and creamy textures, making them an irresistible dessert or snack.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 9 bars (based on a 20×30 cm pan cut into 3 rows by 3 columns) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust:
- 170 g all-purpose flour
- 80 g brown sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 90 g cold unsalted butter
For the Fig Layer:
- 400 g dried figs
- 1 cup (250 ml) water
- 40 g granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
For the Cream Cheese Topping:
- 170 g cream cheese (softened)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 40 g sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Crumble Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine 170 g all-purpose flour, 80 g brown sugar, a pinch of salt, and 90 g cold unsalted butter cut into small pieces. Rub the butter into the dry ingredients using your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This crumble dough will form the base of your bars.
- Assemble the Crumble Base: Grease or line a 20×30 cm baking pan with a little oil. Pour the crumble dough into the pan and press it evenly over the bottom using your hands, compacting the mixture slightly to form a solid base.
- Prepare the Fig Compote: Remove stems from 400 g dried figs and cut into smaller pieces. Place figs in a small saucepan with 1 cup (250 ml) water and 40 g granulated sugar. Cook for about 5 minutes until figs soften. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Transfer figs with the cooking liquid to a blender, add 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, and blend until smooth.
- Spread the Fig Mixture: Evenly spread the blended fig compote over the prepared crumble base in the baking pan, covering the entire surface.
- Make the Cream Cheese Layer: In a bowl, beat 170 g softened cream cheese with 40 g sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 large egg until smooth and creamy. This will create a rich, smooth topping for the bars.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the cream cheese mixture over the fig layer in the pan. Use a spatula to spread it evenly. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (356°F) for 30 minutes, or until the top is set and lightly golden. Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use very cold butter when making the crumble dough to ensure a crumbly texture.
- If you prefer a sweeter fig layer, adjust the sugar quantity in the compote to taste.
- Real vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the cream cheese topping better than imitation vanilla.
- Let the bars cool completely before slicing to ensure clean cuts and proper set.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: fig bars, cream cheese bars, dessert bars, fig compote, easy baking recipe, crumbly crust, creamy topping
