Fig Cheese Cake Bars Recipe
Delightful Fig Cheese Cake Bars combine a crumbly buttery crust with a sweet and tangy cream cheese topping layered over a smooth fig filling. These bars offer a perfect blend of fruity, creamy, and rich textures, making them an ideal treat for any occasion or a sophisticated dessert.
- Author: Victoria
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours (including chilling time)
- Yield: 9-12 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Crust Ingredients
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour (or whole wheat for heartier alternative)
- 1/2 cup Brown Sugar (coconut sugar for a twist)
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter (cold, cut into cubes)
- Pinch of Salt
Fig Filling
- 1 cup Dried Figs (soaked if hard)
- Splash of Water
- Sugar to taste (optional)
- 1 tsp Lemon Juice
Cream Cheese Topping
- 8 oz Cream Cheese (full-fat for best results)
- 1/3 cup Granulated Sugar (sugar substitute for lower-calorie option)
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract (pure preferred)
- 1 large Egg (or flax egg for vegan)
- Prepare the Crust: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Use your fingers to rub in the cold, cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press this mixture evenly into a greased or lined 20×30 cm baking pan to form the base crust.
- Cook and Blend Fig Filling: In a saucepan, add the cleaned and chopped dried figs with a splash of water. Cook over medium heat until the figs soften. Add sugar if desired to enhance sweetness. Once softened, blend the mixture with lemon juice until smooth to create the fig filling.
- Spread Fig Filling: Evenly spread the blended fig mixture over the baked crust layer carefully to create a uniform filling.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Topping: Using an electric mixer, beat the softened cream cheese together with granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and the egg until the mixture is creamy and smooth. Spread this cream cheese topping gently over the fig layer, ensuring an even coating.
- Bake the Bars: Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F). Bake the assembled bars for 30 minutes or until the cream cheese topping is set and lightly golden.
- Cool and Chill: Let the bars cool in the pan briefly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. For best results and clean slicing, chill the bars in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before cutting.
Notes
- Soak dried figs in warm water for 10–15 minutes if they are hard to soften before cooking.
- Use whole wheat flour for a heartier crust and added fiber.
- Substitute granulated sugar with sugar alternatives for lower calorie content.
- For a vegan version, replace the egg with a flax egg and use vegan cream cheese.
- Ensure the bars are fully chilled before slicing for clean, neat pieces.
- Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Keywords: Fig bars, cheesecake bars, fig cheesecake, dessert bars, baked dessert, cream cheese dessert