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    You are here: Home / Cookies and Treats / The Amazing Raw Fig Bar

    The Amazing Raw Fig Bar

    Published: Sep 25, 2013 · Modified: Jan 5, 2023 by Sophie - Wholehearted Eats · 38 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    When I was a kid, fig bars were my favourite cookie (kind of strange for the kid who hated dried fruit). Even today I love them: they are the part cookie/part cake, tea time treat,  sweetened with the lovely non-to-sweet flavour of dried figs. Swoon, and who doesn't love figs? (I'm sure a few of you said "me", and that's cool. Dried dates, apricots, or even raisins would easily replace the figs in this recipe). While store-brand varieties of fig bars have improved since I was a child (some are now made with whole grains or even sweetened with fruit juice), I just new that these little guys could be made even more nutritious, delicious, and amazing. So here we go: raw, vegan, gluten-free, no refined sugar, no added fat, nut free, easy, and wait for it.....amazing fig bars!


    While fresh figs have this juicy, amazing, exotic, jewel-like lure, dried figs are often overlooked as just another dried fruit. Unlike there fresh counterpart, dried figs make for an excellent natural sweetener in anything from baking to making a smoothie, or a Moroccan tagine. Figs are also one of the most alkalizing foods and will help balance the acidic conditions in the body brought on by an excess of meats or refined foods.

    Recipe

    Print Recipe
    4.50 from 2 votes

    The Amazing Raw Fig Bar

    Servings: 12
    Author: Sophie MacKenzie

    Equipment

    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • Lemon zestor
    • Food processor
    • Parchment paper
    • Spatula

    Ingredients

    Dough

    • ½ cup oats ground in the food processor to make flour
    • ½ cup coconut flour
    • ¾ cup dates instead of using the plump and juicy Medjool dates, I opted for the drier baking variety
    • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
    • 6 tablespoons orange juice more or less
    • 1 pinch of sea salt

    Filling

    • 1 cup mission figs
    • ½ cup hot water
    • zest of 1 orange
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla

    Instructions

    Dough

    • Mix dates, oat flour, coconut flour, salt, and cinnamon in a food processor until the dates are chopped finely and the mixture is combined. Add one tablespoon of orange juice at a time until the mixture fully hold together like cookie dough.

    Filling

    • Soak figs in hot water for 30 minutes to soften. Puree figs with the ½ soaking water, orange zest, and vanilla in a food processor until it resembles a chunky jam.

    Bars

    • Divide the dough into thirds. Working with ⅓ or the dough, roll it between two pieces of parchment until it reaches a 10 by 20 cm rectangle (4 by 8 inch).
    • Spread ⅓ of the fig filling down half the long side of the rectangle, be sure to leave a little area along the outside of the fig spread free of jam to ensure the dough will stick to each other (see picture above). Taking the bottom piece of parchment, slowly fold the dough in half along the long side and lightly press the outside edges together so that they adhere. If the dough cracks at all, it is easy to smooth out by placing parchment paper over to and rubbing the cracks out with the tips of your fingers.
    • Repeat two more times with the rest of the dough and filling. Cut each bar into 4. *Hint- I found that if the bars were left uncovered on the counter overnight they dried out a little and where easier to handle/eat.

     
    xox Sophie
     
     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jamie says

      August 17, 2020 at 7:59 pm

      Are the figs in this recipe dehydrated? Can I use raw figs? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Sophie says

        August 18, 2020 at 9:05 am

        they are dehydrated. You can probably use fresh if you made a chia jam, or cooked the figs down to make a traditional jam.

        Reply
    2. Sophie - Wholehearted Eats says

      June 03, 2015 at 12:34 am

      Hello Fita,

      I would try another rolled grain such as rice flakes or quinoa flakes (and grind them into flour). If neither of those will work, what about almond flour? It might be a bit more crumbly, but should work.

      Reply
    3. Sophie - Wholehearted Eats says

      June 03, 2015 at 12:34 am

      Hello Fita,

      I would try another rolled grain such as rice flakes or quinoa flakes (and grind them into flour). If neither of those will work, what about almond flour? It might be a bit more crumbly, but should work.

      Reply
    4. Fita Magana says

      June 02, 2015 at 4:50 pm

      Hi what can I sub oat flour with?? I want to make this so the kids can take to school

      Reply
    5. Sophie - Wholehearted Eats says

      February 18, 2014 at 3:25 am

      Awesome, I'm so happy you liked them! Yoghurt and the fig filling sounds so good!!! (I've been on a real fig binge lately, so I'm totally going to try that) Maybe the use of almond flour made for less dough, if that makes sense? Anyway, I'm glad the almond flour worked, that's great to know and I'll be sure to let other readers know too. All the best, Sophie

      Reply
    6. Tessa says

      February 17, 2014 at 3:22 pm

      Hi Sophie! I have made them!! 🙂 It was a lot of work, but very rewarding. They are so delicious! I have made it with almond flour, but my dough wasn't that much.. So i had a lot of filling over. I will eat it in my yoghurt, yumyum. Thanks for the recept. X

      Reply
    7. Sophie - Wholehearted Eats says

      February 16, 2014 at 3:51 am

      Mmm, that's a good question, Tessa. I've never tried making them with almond flour, but I'm sure it would be good - it just might be a bit more crumbly than using coconut flour. You might want to up the oats to 3/4 cup and lower the almond flour to 1/4 cup . Let me know how it goes, Sophie 🙂

      Reply
    8. Tessa says

      February 15, 2014 at 12:51 pm

      Thanks! Im gonna make this tomorrow! 😀
      Can i use Almondflour? I dont have coconut flour.. 🙁

      Reply
    9. Sophie - Wholehearted Eats says

      February 13, 2014 at 4:54 am

      Hey Tessa,
      Thank you so much! I used a metric measuring cup, which is about 250 millilitres.

      Reply
    10. Sophie - Wholehearted Eats says

      February 13, 2014 at 4:54 am

      Hey Tessa,
      Thank you so much! I used a metric measuring cup, which is about 250 millilitres.

      Reply
    11. Tessa says

      February 12, 2014 at 11:29 am

      Looks so yummie!
      What kind of cup do you use? A normal coffeecup?

      X

      Reply
    12. Tessa says

      February 12, 2014 at 11:29 am

      Looks so yummie!
      What kind of cup do you use? A normal coffeecup?

      X

      Reply
    13. Sophie - Wholehearted Eats says

      January 30, 2014 at 12:33 am

      Hello, I'm sorry to hear that it didn't work out 100%, that can be frustrating. I know that recipes using dates can often be a bit tricky as some dates are stickier than others, which has a great effect on how much flour needs to be added. Your idea of adding more o.j sounds like the right solution. I would recommend adding just a tsp or so at a time until it comes together. Just go with your instincts, they sound bang on 🙂 I'm happy the dough at least tasted good! Let me know how the second batch turns out.

      Reply
    14. Sophie - Wholehearted Eats says

      January 30, 2014 at 12:33 am

      Hello, I'm sorry to hear that it didn't work out 100%, that can be frustrating. I know that recipes using dates can often be a bit tricky as some dates are stickier than others, which has a great effect on how much flour needs to be added. Your idea of adding more o.j sounds like the right solution. I would recommend adding just a tsp or so at a time until it comes together. Just go with your instincts, they sound bang on 🙂 I'm happy the dough at least tasted good! Let me know how the second batch turns out.

      Reply
    15. Anonymous says

      January 29, 2014 at 10:27 am

      I made these today and they were easy enough, however my dough was too crumbly and it made it difficult to work with (it kept cracking, etc.). Having done it once now, next time I'll add more oj to the dough until it resembles a less crumbly dough (this time I was trying to follow the recipe exact). The taste is great though- they just don't look as pretty as the pictures 🙂

      Reply
    16. Anonymous says

      January 29, 2014 at 10:27 am

      I made these today and they were easy enough, however my dough was too crumbly and it made it difficult to work with (it kept cracking, etc.). Having done it once now, next time I'll add more oj to the dough until it resembles a less crumbly dough (this time I was trying to follow the recipe exact). The taste is great though- they just don't look as pretty as the pictures 🙂

      Reply
    17. Sophie - Wholehearted Eats says

      January 01, 2014 at 4:38 am

      Thank you so much! I am so pleased I was able to help, and I am delighted you like the blog. Comments like these make my day <3

      Reply
    18. Sophie - Wholehearted Eats says

      January 01, 2014 at 4:38 am

      Thank you so much! I am so pleased I was able to help, and I am delighted you like the blog. Comments like these make my day <3

      Reply
    19. Anonymous says

      December 30, 2013 at 3:23 am

      I've been looking for a recipe like this. I'm so happy I found your blog. You have so many great ideas. I can't wait to try this and others. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

      Reply
    20. Sophie - Wholehearted Eats says

      November 28, 2013 at 12:10 am

      Hello Sarah. When it comes to rolled oats the term 'raw' is used loosely. Most rolled oats have been flattened through a process of steaming and rolling. Because they have been steamed, some people considered them to be no longer raw, while some do.

      You can however, buy rolled oats which have been rolled through a slow-speed rolling or cold rolling process and have never been expose to high heat or steam. They may be a bit hard to find (Blue Mountain Organics and Natural Zing and a few brands) and from what I hear, can they can go rancid rather quickly.

      If you want make something raw, but don't have access to the raw rolled oats, you can always grind raw oat groats into a flour (just make sure it doesn't get to warm while grinding). Cheers!

      Reply
    21. Sophie - Wholehearted Eats says

      November 28, 2013 at 12:10 am

      Hello Sarah. When it comes to rolled oats the term 'raw' is used loosely. Most rolled oats have been flattened through a process of steaming and rolling. Because they have been steamed, some people considered them to be no longer raw, while some do.

      You can however, buy rolled oats which have been rolled through a slow-speed rolling or cold rolling process and have never been expose to high heat or steam. They may be a bit hard to find (Blue Mountain Organics and Natural Zing and a few brands) and from what I hear, can they can go rancid rather quickly.

      If you want make something raw, but don't have access to the raw rolled oats, you can always grind raw oat groats into a flour (just make sure it doesn't get to warm while grinding). Cheers!

      Reply
    22. Sarah says

      November 27, 2013 at 7:56 am

      I didnt think oats were raw!

      Reply
    23. Sarah says

      November 27, 2013 at 7:56 am

      I didnt think oats were raw!

      Reply
    24. Sophie - Wholehearted Eats says

      November 01, 2013 at 7:04 pm

      Let me know how it goes!

      Reply
    25. Sophie - Wholehearted Eats says

      November 01, 2013 at 7:04 pm

      Let me know how it goes!

      Reply
    26. Laura says

      October 30, 2013 at 4:44 am

      Ok, great! Thank you for the suggestions! I just need to pick up the ingredients and then I'll give them a try!

      Reply
    27. Laura says

      October 30, 2013 at 4:44 am

      Ok, great! Thank you for the suggestions! I just need to pick up the ingredients and then I'll give them a try!

      Reply
    28. Sophie - Wholehearted Eats says

      October 22, 2013 at 12:54 am

      Thanks! You will want a gluten free flour that doesn't need to be cooked, so that is a little limiting. I would try grinding up quinoa flakes to replace the oats, but I am sure that using all coconut flour would work too, it just might be a little more crumbly. Almond flour is another possibility.

      Reply
    29. Laura says

      October 21, 2013 at 4:03 am

      These look amazing! I can't have oats tho is there another gluten free option? Could I use an all-purpose gluten free mix?

      Reply
    30. Sophie - Wholehearted Eats says

      October 11, 2013 at 1:16 am

      You're welcome. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

      Reply
    31. Sociology in Kentucky says

      October 11, 2013 at 12:58 am

      Fig newtons are some of my favorite cookies. And these, being all natural, sound fantastic! Thanks!

      Reply
    32. Sophie - Wholehearted Eats says

      September 30, 2013 at 3:46 am

      Golden figs would totally work. I used the mission variety only because that's what I had on hand, but feel free to used whatever type you prefer. I don't think you will run into any difference. The only thing I can think of is that golden figs (at lest the type of golden figs I get here) are a tad bit drier than the mission, so you may need a touch more water, but that's it. Let me know how it works out.

      Reply
    33. Sophie - Wholehearted Eats says

      September 30, 2013 at 3:45 am

      Thanks Jen.

      Reply
    34. Sophie - Wholehearted Eats says

      September 30, 2013 at 3:37 am

      Thanks a bunch Amy, you're so sweet! I hope you like them.

      Reply
    35. Elaine Klingbeil says

      September 30, 2013 at 12:34 am

      I like the golden figs better than mission. What would the difference be, do you know? I like to eat the golden figs all by themselves, they are like the Fig part of Fig Newtons.

      Reply
    36. Jen @ Savory Simple says

      September 29, 2013 at 12:47 pm

      These look really amazing! A must make.

      Reply
    37. Amy @ Swiss Miss in the Kitchen says

      September 28, 2013 at 6:14 pm

      Oh Sophie this raw fig bar looks heavenly!!! I HAVE to try this recipe, I adore figs!!
      xox Amy

      Reply

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