Fresh Fig Newtons Food

FRESH FIG NEWTONS

Steps:

• In a medium-sized, heavy-bottomed saucepan, make the filling. Bring the figs, 1/2 cup brown sugar, lemon zest, and 1 teaspoon vanilla to a low boil, stirring as needed.
• Reduce the heat and simmer for 40-50 minutes, occasionally smashing the larger pieces with the back of a fork and stirring. They will cook down and thicken with a jam-like consistency.
• Remove the filling from the heat and cool completely. See Note**
• Preheat the oven to 350. Butter a 9 X 13 baking dish, then line with parchment paper or foil then butter the parchment or foil. Use plenty of butter.
• In a medium sized bowl whisk together the flours, baking powder, and salt.
• In a large bowl, beat the butter and 1 1/2 cups brown sugar until it's fluffy. Add the orange zest and eggs. Beat on medium until the dough comes together. Then stir in the vanilla.
• Gradually incorporate the flour mixture with the mixer on low. The dough will be sticky.
• Butter two "pan-sized" pieces of foil or parchment paper, measure 1 1/2 cups of the dough out, and roll or press the dough in between the pieces. This will be your top crust, so get it into a rectangle-ish shape if you can. Put it in the freezer.
• Press the remaining dough into the prepared baking dish and bake for about 20 minutes. It will be pretty and golden brown.
• Spread the fig filling across the baked crust and then get the top crust out of the freezer.
• Gently peel the foil or paper away from the frozen cookie crust and then place it over the top of the fig filling. Pat any stray crust pieces into place.
• Bake for another 20-25 minutes. Watch it closely! The top will turn a nice golden color.
• Let the whole thing cool completely in the pan, on a wire rack if you have one. Once cooled, lift the parchment (or foil) out of the pan and slice into squares.

FIG NEWTONS (HOMEMADE)

Steps:

• Dice figs, soak in water 1 hour.
• Add sugar & cook on medium heat until of thin jam consistency.
• Beat sugar, butter, egg, milk & vanilla until well blended.
• Add dry ingredients.
• Mix well and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Place 1/2 on well floured dough cloth; knead about 6 times.
• Roll out to 1/4" thick. Line 13 x 9" glass baking dish; cover with figs.
• Roll remaining dough, cover figs. Cook at 350° for 30 minutes.
• Let cool and cut into squares. Depending on the size you cut you can get a couple dozen cookies.

FIG NEWTON BARS

Steps:

• Cream the shortening and 1 cup sugar; add the egg and beat until light and fluffy.
• Mix the milk with the vanilla.
• Sift salt, flour and baking powder together; add alternately with milk to creamed mixture.
• Blend well.
• Roll out to 1/8 inch thickness on lightly floured board (rectangle shape).
• Put figs in saucepan with remaining sugar and 1 cup boiling water.
• Boil 5 minutes; cool.
• Spread the cooked mixture over half the dough; fold over the other half of the dough to cover.
• Cut into rectangular bars.
• Bake in 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes.