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Decadent Fig and Cream Cheese Bars

A delightful blend of tender crust, glossy fig paste, and smooth cream-cheese topping, perfect for quiet celebrations or afternoon tea.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 12 bars
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Crust
  • 170 g all-purpose flour
  • 80 g brown sugar
  • Pinch – salt
  • 90 g cold unsalted butter Keep cold for a flaky texture.
For the Fig Layer
  • 400 g dried figs
  • 1 cup water
  • 40 g granulated sugar
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice Adjust for brightness upon taste.
For the Cream Cheese Topping
  • 170 g cream cheese Do not overbeat.
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg
  • 40 g sugar For cream cheese mixture.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, salt, and butter. Rub until it resembles coarse crumbs.
  2. Grease or line a 20×30 cm baking pan and press the crumble dough into the bottom.
Prepare Fig Layer
  1. Clean, cut, and cook figs with water and sugar for 5 minutes.
  2. Blend with lemon juice until smooth.
  3. Spread the fig mixture over the crust.
Prepare Cream Cheese Topping
  1. Beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and egg until smooth.
  2. Pour the cream cheese mixture over figs.
Baking
  1. Bake at 180°C for 30 minutes until the cheese layer is barely golden at the edges and still a touch wobbly in the center.
  2. Allow cooling before slicing.

Notes

Slice with a thin, hot knife for clean edges. Serve slightly chilled or at cool room temperature. A dusting of powdered sugar or chopped pistachios adds contrast.