Fig Bars

From Sweet Things: Food Pics!

Earlier this summer a friend of mine took us out to a fig tree and we came home with quite a few. I've never cooked with them before so this recipe was a shot in the dark... and it was delicious! I tried it once with the rum, which has a grown-up flavor, and I tried it on the remaining figs a week later with just orange juice and dressed the top with sweetened, shredded coconut instead. Both were a hit :)

Fig Bars

Yield: 36 small bars
Baking Temperature: 350°F
Baking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

16-ounces figs: stems trimmed, figs coarsely chopped
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup rum or orange juice
2 tablespoons hot water
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/4 cups old-fashioned oats

Ingredients: Glaze

1/2 cup powdered sugar
3 to 4 teaspoons rum or orange juice

Instructions

1. PREHEAT oven to 350º F.
2. COAT a 13 x 9-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
3. COMBINE figs, walnuts, sugar, rum (or orange juice) and hot water; set aside.
4. BEAT together butter and sugar in a large bowl.
5. ADD egg and mix until creamy.
6. STIR in flour and baking soda; blend in oats to make a soft dough.
7. RESERVE 1 cup dough.
8. With floured fingertips, PRESS thin layer of remaining dough in bottom of prepared pan.
9. SPREAD fig mixture evenly and pat firmly over dough.
10. CRUMBLE reserved dough by teaspoonfuls over top, allowing figs to show through.
11. BAKE 30 minutes or until golden brown.
12. COOL completely in pan.
13. STIR together powdered sugar and rum or orange juice.
14. DRIZZLE over top; let stand until glaze is set.
15. CUT into bars.

Note: This recipe is from SunMaid.