Homemade Fig Newtons

Oh. my. goodness.

Every time I look at these guys, I want to make them again and again and again...

They are so addicting.

Ever since I joined the Pinterest team, I kept seeing recipes for Fig Newtons.

I glanced at each recipe, unimpressed by what I saw. Either there was too much sugar or they were made with white flour, or there was a bunch of butter in them.

Yuck.

Not my cup of tea.

So it became my mission : to come up with the perfect, most healthy, tastiest Fig Newton recipe on earth.

I couldn't do much else besides dream of making them.

And once I made them and took that first bite, I couldn't do much else besides dream of making them again.

Yep, winner winner chicken dinner.

Homemade Fig Newtons
gluten-free and dairy-free and vegan
Filling:

• 1 cup dried figs
• 1/2 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed (or 2-3 tablespoons of lemon juice concentrate, just know that fresh is best)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon agave or honey

Dough:

• 2 1/2 cups brown rice flour (or blanched almond flour)
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (normal iodized salt works fine too)
• 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup agave or honey
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1. For the filling : blend figs in a food processor for about 30 seconds, until well chopped. Add lemon juice, vanilla, and agave (or honey). Process until you get a smooth paste. Set aside.
2. For the dough : in a large bowl, combine flour, salt, cornstarch, and baking soda. In a smaller bowl, combine agave (honey), maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla. Mix the wet mixture with the dry stuff. Refrigerate for one hour. 
3. Divide chilled dough into 4 parts. Between 2 sheets of parchment paper, roll out one part of the 4 pieces of dough into a 10x4 inch rectangle that is 1/4 of an inch thick. Spread 1/4 of the filling evenly down one side (lengthwise) of the rectangle. Fold the opposite side over onto the filling (making sure to fold the dough in half down the long side--"hotdog-style), resulting in a 10x2 inch bar. "Mend" the seam so the bar is symmetrical. Place on a baking sheet that is covered with parchment paper. Repeat with the 3 remaining dough pieces and 3/4 leftover filling.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F, for 10-15 minutes (until slightly golden). Cool slightly. Cut each bar every 2 inches (making 2-inch Fig Newtons).

Get in mah belleh!

Decided to try taking a picture with a dark background.
I liked it...okay.
What I need is a nice camera.
Like this Nikon DSLR or this Canon one.
Early Christmas gift, maybe?

Look at all those Fig Newtons just for me...er, I mean for everyone!