Homemade Fig Newtons Recipe

Forget dusty packages of store-bought Fig Newtons. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make the ultimate fresh, tender homemade fig cookies sandwiched with luscious fig filling. These soft, cake-like cookies make for a sweet treat that beats any packaged version.

Make Your Own Fig Newtons

We all know how expensive store-bought snacks can be, especially when you have little ones who are constantly in need of snacks. Today, I’m sharing an easy Homemade Fig Newtons recipe that will save you money and satisfy those snack cravings.

You might be thinking of Fig Newtons as those dry, crumbly cookie bars that you get from the store. But these are so much better! And the best part is, you can make them right in the comfort of your own kitchen. Let’s get started!

Ingredients in Fig Newtons

• Butter. You can replace this with shortening if you need these to be dairy-free.
• Brown Sugar. Using brown sugar as your sweetener will keep the dough nice and soft.
• Figs. Use dried figs in this recipe for the right texture. Fresh Figs or Fig Jam will be too runny.
• Eggs. This is the “glue” that helps to bind your dough together.
• Vanilla Extract. You can use Homemade Vanilla Extract or store-bought.
• All Purpose Flour. You can also use All Purpose Gluten-Free flour if you want to make these cookies gluten-free. I’ve not tried this recipe with almond flour or coconut flour.
• Whole Wheat Flour. A mixture of both types of flour will help these taste more like the original. If you are making these gluten-free, use brown rice flour or sorghum flour in place of the whole wheat flour.
• Cinnamon and Salt. These add new flavor to both your filling and dough.
• Baking Soda. This is your leavening agent in this recipe. You don’t need much since these don’t need to rise like a typical cookie.
• Orange Juice. This adds a bit of flavor to your filling.
• Honey. Honey not only helps to sweeten up the fig filling but also keeps it nice and soft. You could replace this with maple syrup if needed.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Fig Newton Cookies

In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until it is lighter in color and fluffy. This will take about 3 minutes. Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated and fluffy again.

Using a sifter, sift in all-purpose flour, wheat flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt until combined.

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour. This will firm it up, which makes it easier to roll.

While the dough is chilling, make the filling. Start by placing the fig, water, orange juice, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt in a medium pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for about 10-12 minutes (or until the liquid evaporates and the dried figs are plump).

Place the mixture into a food processor and add in the honey. You can pulse or blend this until you get a thick paste. Add the fig paste to a piping bag (or large ziplock bag) and set aside.

Preheat the oven to 325 F. Once the dough is chilled, lightly flour a surface to roll it out on and roll it to 9 x 13 or 10 x 14 inches.

Square it off using a sharp knife or pizza cutter. Then, cut 3 to 3.5-inch thick strips down the length of the rolled-out dough.

Cut a hole in the piping bag and pipe the filling down the center of the dough. Fold the ends over and press it close, sealing the best you can.

Roll each log slightly. If you need them to bond together, place the seam side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake them for 20 minutes. Broil for 1 minute to brown the tops slightly and remove them from the oven.

Allow the fig newtons to cool completely on a wire cooling rack for 10-15 minutes before indulging in their chewy goodness. Trust me, it’ll be hard to resist diving in immediately, but patience is key here. Once cooled, store them in an airtight container for up to a week (if they last that long!).

Print

Homemade Fig Newton Cookie Recipe

Make your own homemade version of Fig Newton Cookies.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword Homemade Fig Newtons

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Chill Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes

Servings 24 fig cookies

Calories 114 kcal

Creator Merissa

Ingredients

For the Dough

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1 large egg room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Fig Filling

• 7 oz dried black Mission figs
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons honey

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until lighter in color and fluffy. This will take about 3 minutes.
2. Add in the egg and vanilla extract. Mix until fully incorporated and fluffy again.
3. Using a sifter, sift in all-purpose flour, wheat flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt and mix until it is just combined.
4. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour.
5. To make the filling, place the fig, water, orange juice, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt in a medium pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for about 10-12 minutes.
6. Place the mixture into a food processor, add in the honey, and pulse or blend until you get a thick paste.
7. Add the fig paste to a piping bag (or large ziplock bag) and set aside.
8. Preheat the oven to 325 F.
9. Once the dough is chilled, lightly flour a surface and roll it to 9 x 13 or 10 x 14 inches. Square it off using a knife or pizza cutter.
10. Cut 3 to 3.5-inch thick strips down the length of the rolled-out dough.
11. Cut a hole in the piping bag and pipe the filling down the center of the dough.
12. Fold the ends over and press close, sealing the best you can.
13. Roll each log slightly (if you need to bond together place them seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet).
14. Bake for 20 minutes.
15. Broil for 1 minute to slightly brown the tops.
16. Remove from the oven and let them cool for 10-15 minutes.
17. Slice and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Homemade Fig Newton Cookie Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 114 Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Fat 4g6%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Trans Fat 0.2g

Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g

Monounsaturated Fat 1g

Cholesterol 17mg6%

Sodium 114mg5%

Potassium 101mg3%

Carbohydrates 18g6%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 11g12%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 141IU3%

Vitamin C 4mg5%

Calcium 23mg2%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

How to Store Extra Fig Newtons

If you have extra Homemade Fig Newtons, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Alternatively, you can freeze them for longer storage.

To freeze, place the cookies in a freezer-safe container or bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw at room temperature for a few hours before serving. Just keep in mind that the texture may be slightly different after freezing, but they will still be delicious!

What kind of figs are used in Fig Newtons?

I recommend using dried black Mission figs. You can get them here. These have a naturally sweet and rich flavor with a hint of a caramel-like taste. Plus, their rich and slightly earthy taste perfectly complements the soft cookie exterior.

Can I add other flavors to the Homemade Fig Newton filling?

Yes, you can add other flavors to the filling of your Fig Newtons to make it your own. Try adding orange zest, cinnamon, or vanilla extract for a different flavor profile. You can also make the filling with raisins or dried apricots if you want to try something new!

More Homemade Recipes

• Homemade Slice and Bake Sugar Cookies
• Homemade Chocolate Pudding: 5 Simple Ingredients
• Homemade Milano Cookies Recipe
• How to Make Peach Gummies and Peachy O’s Candy
• Homemade Milky Way Bars

Merissa Alink

Merissa has been blogging about and living the simple and frugal life on Little House Living since 2009 and has internationally published 2 books on the topic. You can read about Merissa’s journey from penniless to freedom on the About Page. You can send her a message any time from the Contact Page.

This recipe for Homemade Fig Newtons was originally posted on Little House Living in December 2023.