Fig Newtons
I have this indescribable, yet unnecessary, need to make everything from scratch. Pop tarts. Naan. Pie Crust. Ice Cream. Pasta. At times it can be ridiculous. Overzealous. Marked by trial and error and more error. But in the end, after I wipe the flour, sweat, and, in this case, fig puree from my forehead, I feel accomplished. I beat the machine, the big company, the artificial flavors, the cardboard packaging and plastic wrapping. Sweet victory.
Homemade fig newtons are well worth their sweat. With hints of orange in the delicate cake-like crust. And a dried fig purée that’ll make you believe you have Harry Potter powers as you effortlessly spread the purée across the pastry. The two almost hug each other in comfort as they bake into a near replica of the original. Looks may be deceiving, but you’ll know which one is made from scratch. Taste never lies. Sweet, sweet victory.
UPDATE 8/10/12: I added a tiny bit more flour to the recipe after reports of dough being somewhat difficult to work with. Be sure to work on a well floured surface with chilled dough. If dough cracks when rolling, allow to come to room temperature for a couple minutes.
Ingredients
Instructions
- I’ve converted the measurements from weight to volume for us lay people. One of these days, I’ll buy a kitchen scale and measure with precision. But for now, I am a faux baker. For the full recipe, head over to the Brave Tart. She’s a real pastry chef and writes some of the best recipes in all the blog land.
Notes
• Add sufficient flour as you roll the dough to keep from sticking.
• Place prepared newtons in freezer for 20 minutes before baking to help hold their shape.
Yummy newtons!
We don’t have these biscuits per say in Australia but they’re famous of course and I believe you (when you add) homemade is far better than the real thing, so hopefully I’ll have my first taste of a real Fig Newton soon!
These are adorable! Homemade is always better.
I have that same need to make things homemade. I love the challenge in the process and, as you said, there is just something very sweet about successful results. These are beautiful!
These are absolutely lovely! And thank goodness you like to make everything from scratch! Then you can share with us!
oh…wow. i hear you on the homemade front. it just feels good. gorgeous!
i was thinking of this just a few days ago! thanks for recipe!
I love fig newtons but never purchase them due to the lack of nutritional value. These are fantastic! So excited to make these and enjoy fig newtons once again.
This is sooo cool! One of my reasons I love foodies so much – they reinvent those processed box snacks – that I love so much – and turn them into something I’d actually make and eat. Yum!
I adore that first shot too – I love the composition of both the shot and the copy.
This looks beautiful and I’m sure it’s delicious to boot! Pinning this!
This is amazing! I need about 4 billion to get me through this remodel.
Oh holy goodness – these are genius!!
I make almost everything from scratch too. Friends are just amazed. That’s how I grew up though. I so wanna try this! But I haven’t seen dried fig newtons here in MI.
I made these recently (adapted a similar recipe). They were great!
My boyfriend is absolutely obsessed with fig rolls and we tried to make them at home a few years ago with not brilliant results. I HAVE to try this recipe – he will love me forever
yummy yummy pictures and biscuits. I also have a silly thing about making everything handmade. You know the ingredients and its just got more love that way
I have the SAME thing with making everything from scratch. Even if I don’t have time, and it takes forever…. I need to feel the accomplishment that it brings.
Glad someone else feels the same. And I’m trying this recipe. For sure.
These look so good! Much better than store bought for sure!
My husband loves fig newtons. I’m sure he’d love me even more if I made these for him!!
Holy. Crap. You are amazing! I can’t believe you made them from scratch!! I bet they’re even more fantastic than packaged ones
GO YOU!
This looks amazing!
My hubs loves Fig Newtons and he’d flip if I made these for him.
I’ve had homemade Fig Newtons on my baking to do list for over a year. After reading your post I’m inspired to give them a try. I know they are so much better than store bought!
I made homemade fig newtons earlier in the year and love, love, loved them!! So much better than store bought!
I love fig newton, but I don’t like all the sugar they have added to them. You did a nice job of lightening them up.
I practically grew up eating fig newtons!! This brings back so many memories. I definitely have to try this homemade version of these little guys. I love your photos. They look so neat!
I love fig newtons and you made them looks so easy to make. Thanks for sharing!
My favorite cookie. I’ve gotta make these!
Are you sure about the measure conversions you did from the original recipe? I am in the middle of making these and it seemed like so little flour that I looked up the recommended conversion from ounces to cups for all purpose or whole wheat flour and it seems the recipe should have closer to 1 cup total flour (.91 cup). My dough is in the refrigerator and made as written above, so I’ll keeps my fingers crossed. Thanks for the recipe.
Hey Kathy, these are the measurements I used for the newtons pictured. I did add a good amount of flour in the rolling out stage to keep from sticking. I think the wheat flour helps to give it some density too. Please let me know if you have any issues as you bake them.
Okay, I just ate one of these yummies and have a little feedback. The light flaky crust is so much better than the cardboard-like cake on the store bought version! My worries (see above) about the flour measure conversions were baseless; they rolled out fine (though you do have to work very quickly while the dough is still thoroughly chilled). My cookies did spread in the oven more than yours did, but then I did just now notice your note about freezing the shaped/filled dough before baking. Bad timing! I noticed bakers on Brave Tart’s blog had similar problems, so I’m sure the pre-freezing will solve the problem next time (I know that technique works for other rolled cookie dough). Thank you, again, for sharing.
Sorry I’m so late in responding to this. Thanks for your feedback! Someone else had trouble working with the dough, so I added a bit more flour to the recipe. Hopefully it will be easier to work with yet still have that cakey texture!
This is awesome! I have left over roasted strawberry/fig jam that needs to be used up, this might do the trick.
This is one of the daily snack for people like us in Middle East.
No doubt figs fillings is good but we also do the same with paste of dates instead of figs. Try out
What about making these with fresh figs? Any ideas?
Hmmm…I think they will be far more wet than dried. Not 100% sure. Let me know if you end up trying it!
[...] something sweet: Homemade Fig Newtons (via Faux Martha) and Dried Strawberries (via Miss [...]
Thank you so much for the recipe!!
The ingredients conversions to volume and the photos for how to assemble the newtons are SO helpful! I don’t know if I would have attempted the recipe without them.
These newtons are amazingly delicious and my family loves them!
Thanks again!
I love these kind of comments! I’m so glad you guys loved them! They are some of my fave and I always feel so accomplished after making them.
Awesome recipe!
When I first started reading your post i just wanted throw my hands up and pump my fists! Way to stick it to “The Man!” I love copy cat recipes and the pride you get when somrehing comes out pretty darn close!
Thanks for posting!
You’re my kind of woman! I saw fig newtons in the store this weekend and thought to myself, I can make you at home. It felt good.
What can I substitute for the sugar? For the butter? Can I use ALL whole wheat pastry flour?thx. Husband had heart attack and eating extremely radical but he’s craving fig newtons:)
Hmm, I’m not sure how to substitute those. This is a fairly finicky recipe, it think it would take a lot of testing to get it right. Sorry I don’t have a better solution for you! Hope your husband is doing better!
Wow, one of my favorites. My parentes used to by boxes of this fig newtons everytime they traveled to Miami
Please explain to this novice on how to make the filling.
Hi Kim! There’s a link in the recipe over to a Brave Tart’s site with the remaining instructions.