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Decadent Fig and Cream Cheese Bars

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Decadent Fig and Cream Cheese Bars are a rich, sweet, and creamy dessert that combines the luscious flavor of figs with a velvety cream cheese filling, all atop a buttery shortbread crust. These bars are the perfect balance of sweet and savory, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion. Whether you’re serving them at a dinner party or indulging in a personal treat, these bars are sure to impress!

Ingredients

For the Crust:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Cream Cheese Filling:

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 egg

For the Fig Topping:

1 1/2 cups fresh or dried figs, chopped (if using dried, soak in warm water for 10–15 minutes and drain)

1/4 cup honey

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Make the Crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, butter, sugar, and salt. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until the dough comes together and resembles coarse crumbs. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Bake the crust for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
  2. Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the sour cream, vanilla extract, and egg, and beat until combined and smooth. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the cooled crust and smooth the top with a spatula.
  3. Make the Fig Topping: In a small saucepan, combine the chopped figs, honey, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the figs are softened and the mixture has thickened slightly. Spoon the fig mixture over the cream cheese filling, spreading it evenly. Bake the bars for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the cream cheese filling is set and slightly golden on the edges.
  4. Let the bars cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to fully set.

Notes

Add a dash of nutmeg or cardamom to the fig topping for extra warmth.

Top the bars with a sprinkle of chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for added crunch.

Drizzle the finished bars with a bit more honey or a dusting of powdered sugar before serving.

Use mascarpone cheese instead of cream cheese for a slightly different flavor.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://yumntasty.com/decadent-fig-and-cream-cheese-bars/