This recipe takes a few more steps than a traditional bar or cookie, but they turn out so fresh and delicious, compared to the pre-packaged ones from the grocery store. They make a perfect lunchbox addition or morning grab-and-go breakfast, perfect for back to school!
I provided a step-by-step tutorial below, to guide you through the tricky parts.
Prepare your dough and roll it out into a 9"x 10.5" rectangle, on top of a piece of flour dusted parchment paper. Cut your dough into three 3 1/2" strips.
Cut the parchment paper between the three strips so each dough strip is on it's own strip of parchment for easy transportation to the baking sheet. Spread an even layer of filling down the center of each dough strip.
Fold each side of the dough up and over the filling, so they meet in the center, making sure one side slightly overlaps the other.
Gently press two sides together to create a seam down the strip of dough.
Slide your hand or a long metal spatula under each strip of parchment to lift the dough strips and gently flip over onto prepared baking sheet. (This will create a smooth top with the seam along the bottom that overlaps in the center creating the recognizable curved shape of a classic newton cookie).
Make sure each strip if about 1-2 inches apart and place in the over.
Bake until the bars are set and puffed slightly.
Remove from the oven and use a pizza cutter or a sharp knife to cut each bar into 3 pieces each OR 6 smaller pieces (shown below) before cookies start to harden.
Transfer cookies to an air tight container to soften or enjoy warm and crisp out of the oven!
Homemade Fig Newton Cookies
Yield: 9 large bars or 18 cookie bars
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 6 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
Filling:
- 6oz (about 1 cup) pitted and dried figs*
- 2 tablespoons applesauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch salt
- 1/2 cup water
*May substitute dried fruit of your choice for a variety of filling flavors (dried nectarines, prunes, etc)
Directions
Prepare dough: Sift or whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside. With an electric mixer, beat together the butter and sugar, on medium speed, until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. On low speed, add the egg, vanilla and zest until incorporated. Slowly add in flour mixture. The dough will be very soft. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap, flatten into a disc and refrigerate a few hours or overnight until it has firmed up a bit.
Prepare Filling: Combined all ingredients into a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the prunes break down and the mixture is soft and gel-like, about 15-20 minutes. Use a sharp knife to chop mixture, breaking up any large pieces of prune or place mixture into a food processor and pulse until the mixture is smooth.
Assemble and bake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place a large piece of parchment paper on a flat surface for rolling your dough. Dust the parchment paper and your dough generously with sifted flour to prevent sticking. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a 9"L x 10.5"H rectangle that is about 1/4" thick, on top of the floured parchment. Using a pizza cutter, cut your dough, width wise, into three, 3 1/2" wide strips, so you have three even strips. Cut the parchment paper between the three strips so each dough strip is on it's own strip of parchment for easy transportation to the baking sheet. Gently dust away any excess flour.
Spread an even layer of filling down the center of each dough strip. Fold each side of the dough up and over the filling, so they meet in the center, making sure one side slightly overlaps the other. Gently press two sides together to create a seam down the strip of dough. Slide your hand under each strip of parchment to lift the dough strips and gently flip over onto prepared baking sheet, placing the three filled strips a few inches apart. (This will create a smooth top with the seam along the bottom that overlaps in the center creating the recognizable curved shape of a classic newton cookie).
Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until the bars are set and puffed slightly. Remove from the oven and use a pizza cutter or a sharp knife to cut each bar into 3 pieces each OR 6 smaller pieces before cookies start to harden. Transfer cookies to an air tight container.
Note: cookies might be a little harder (cookie like) just after baking, but they will soften overnight and become more like a traditional (cakey) newton cookie.
