Homemade Fig Newtons Recipe (2024)

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These easy Homemade Fig Newtons have a jammy fig center enveloped by a slightly sweet, soft cookie. Every bite takes us right back to our childhood! Yep, these are pretty much perfect cookies.

Homemade Fig Newtons Recipe (1)

Homemade Fig Newton Cookies

There are certain cookies that instantly take me back to my childhood—Dunkaroos, Famous Amos, animal crackers. Lunches where you’d eagerly open up your brown paper bag to see what Mom packed for dessert. Afternoons coming home from school when you’d reach into the snack drawer for a treat.

Though I’d like to believe all cookies were created equal, there was one that always stood out for me. A cookie that I couldn’t get enough of.Fig Newtons.

What are Fig Newtons?

If you haven’t had a Fig Newton yet, I want to start off by expressing my deepest condolences. Fig Newtons are an iconic packaged cookie with a jammy fig center enveloped by a slightly sweet, soft cookie. The crunch of the fig seeds as you bite in. The slight citrus tang you get in each and every mouthful. Yep, they’re pretty much perfect.

So in making my own homemade Fig Newtons, I channeled my inner child and tastedevery step of the way, and wound up with a pretty damn good recipe. The cookies have the same shape and texture as the real thing, and the fig tastes spot on thanks to some fresh orange zest and a hint of cinnamon.

Plus, nearly everyone that sees them will be instantly transported to their childhood, making the sharing of these cookies extra special!

Also, dipping these in milk is not optional 😉

Fig Newton Ingredients

If you’re ready to get to fig newton making then you’re going to need to stock up on the following ingredients:

  • Butter: any unsalted butter will do, just make sure to fully soften your butter to room temperature
  • Brown Sugar: Brown sugar will help to deepen the flavor of these
  • Eggs:Use large eggs at room temperature! This will ensure that the eggs incorporate seamlessly into the room temperature butter.
  • Vanilla:High quality vanilla is seriously a game changer. It will really elevate your baked goods to the next level and give these fig newtons the perfect flavor profile.
  • Flour:We used a mixture of all purpose and whole wheat pastry flour to give these homemade fig newtons a hearty chew.
  • Cinnamon:Cinnamon gives these fig newtons a warm, cozy spice. Don’t leave it out!
  • Baking Soda:Baking soda gives just the amount of rise for these soft and tender cookies.
  • Figs:Uh duh! Black mission figs will form the chewy, figgy center of these homemade cookies.
  • Oranges:You’ll use both orange zest and orange juice in this recipe for a zesty, juice punch to round out the flavor profile.
  • Honey:Nothing wrong with a little honey 🙂 The honey will sweeten and bind the fig layer together for a sweet, chewy finish.

Homemade Fig Newtons Recipe (2)

Tips for Making Homemade Fig Newtons

The individual parts of this homemade Fig Newton recipe are fairly straightforward. Make a batch of cookie dough and refrigerate it for at least an hour. Make the fig filling and blend it up a food processor until it’s the right consistency. Easy, right?Right!

But once you’ve prepped the cookie dough and the spiced fig filling, you have to assemble the cookies. This is the part that requires a little extra brain power. To make these cookies, you’ll first need to roll out the cookie dough into a large rectangle. Then, cut the rectangle into three large strips.

Once you’ve cut the cookie dough, fill a plastic bag with the fig filling. Snip off one edge of the bag and pipe a thick line of filling into the center of each cookie dough strip. Then you simply have to fold the dough over the filling (be careful!) and seal the edges as best you can.

The filled cookie dough logs get baked as is, and then you need to cut the logs into Fig Newton-sized cookies once they come out of the oven. The whole process goes by surprisingly quickly and is really easy! As long as your cookie dough logs are sealed properly you should have no problems making these homemade Fig Newtons.

How to Store Fig Newtons

These cookies keep well in a sealed container on your countertop for up to a week. You can also store them in a freezer bag for up to 3 months!

Print

Homemade Fig Newtons Recipe

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These easy Homemade Fig Newtons have a jammy fig center enveloped by a slightly sweet, soft cookie. Every bite takes us right back to our childhood!

These easy Homemade Fig Newtons have a jammy fig center enveloped by a slightly sweet, soft cookie. Every bite takes us right back to our childhood!

Print It

  • Author: Sarah Crawford
  • Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
  • Yield: 20 cookies
  • Category: Cookies
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American
  • Author: Sarah Crawford
  • Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
  • Yield: 20 cookies
  • Category: Cookies
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Units:

Ingredients

For the cookie dough

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • zest of 1/4 orange
  • 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

  • 9 oz dried black mission figs
  • 1/2 cup water
  • juice of 1/2 orange
  • zest of 1/2 orange
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon honey

Instructions

    1. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and orange zest.
    2. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, whole wheat pastry flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Sift the dry ingredients over the wet, then mix until just combined.
    3. Scoop the dough into a ball and cover with plastic wrap. Chill for at least 1 hour, or up to 1 day.
    4. To make the fig filling, place all ingredients except for the honey into a small saucepan and cook over low heat for 10 minutes, until the liquids have evaporated and the figs begin to plump up. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes. Then, place all ingredients in a food processor, drizzle in honey, and pulse until a thick paste is formed. Remove paste from food processor, then place in a large ziplock bag.
    5. Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a large baking tray with a silicon mat or parchment paper. Set aside.
    6. On a floured surface, roll the chilled dough into a 10″ x14″ rectangle, using a knife or pizza cutter to cut even edges. Cut the dough lengthwise into three 3.5″x14″ strips.
    7. Cut a 3/4 inch tip into the corner of your ziplock bag and squeeze the paste down the middle of each strip of dough. Then carefully fold each edge of dough on top of the fig paste, making a log, sealing the edges as best you can. Roll each log slightly to bond the dough together, then place seam side down onto your baking tray.
    8. Bake for 20 minutes at 325°F, then turn on the broiler for 1 minute to slightly brown the tops of the cookies. Remove from oven and cut each log into 2″ cookies. Devour!

    More easy cookie recipes from Broma Bakery:

    Cherry Linzers

    Softbatch Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

    White Chocolate Blueberry Oatmeal Cookies

    Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

    Maple Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Homemade Fig Newtons Recipe (3)

    Homemade Fig Newtons Recipe (2024)

    FAQs

    What are the ingredients in Fig Newtons? ›

    INGREDIENTS: FIGS, WHOLE GRAIN WHEAT FLOUR, SUGAR, UNBLEACHED ENRICHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE {VITAMIN B1}, RIBOFLAVIN {VITAMIN B2}, FOLIC ACID), CORN SYRUP, INVERT SUGAR, SOYBEAN AND/OR CANOLA OIL, PALM OIL, SALT, BAKING SODA, CALCIUM LACTATE, MALIC ACID, SOY LECITHIN, SODIUM ...

    Are Fig Newtons actually healthy? ›

    Fig Newton Cookies

    They are also fairly healthy. Figs are well known for having fiber, which helps with digestion, as well as protein and several vitamins and minerals. This means there are quite a few health benefits of fig bars like fig Newtons.

    What is in the middle of Fig Newtons? ›

    Newtons are a Nabisco-trademarked version of a cookie filled with sweet fruit paste. "Fig Newtons" are the most popular variety (fig rolls filled with fig paste). They are produced by an extrusion process.

    Are Fig Newtons made with real figs? ›

    The label lists flour, figs, sugar, corn syrup, vegetable oil, salt, corn fiber, oat fiber, baking soda, calcium lactate, malic acid, soy lecithin, sodium Benzoate, and sulfur dioxide. There is no dairy in there or any animal based products, so, yes, Fig Newtons are vegan. However, Fig Newtons are not gluten-free.

    What kind of figs are used in fig newtons? ›

    Mission figs, as opposed to any other variety of dried fig, will deliver the most accurate flavor to resemble the store-bought variety of Fig Newtons. You can use another type of dried fig, but know that you might have to add more or less water to the filling to make it smooth, and that the flavor may vary.

    Why put baking soda on figs? ›

    Alkalinity breaks down the structure of plant cell walls. I assume the purpose of this baking soda bath is to soften the structure of the fig. That's why yours softened so much. If you want to maintain the structure of the fig, try using an acidic bath, as acidity helps to maintain plant cell structure.

    Do Fig Newtons act as a laxative? ›

    Figs made their way into the commercial market in 1892 with the introduction of Fig Newtons. Ounce for ounce, figs have more fiber than prunes and more potassium than bananas. At 20% of the RDA for dietary fiber, figs can act as a natural laxative.

    Can too many fig Newtons cause diarrhea? ›

    Since figs have a high fiber content, eating too many figs — especially dried figs — can cause diarrhea.

    Do fig Newtons help with constipation? ›

    Try high fiber snack foods such as sesame bread sticks, date-nut or prune bread, oatmeal cookies, fig newtons, date or raisin bars, granola and corn chips. Try natural “laxative-type” foods- bran, whole grain cereals, and prune juice.

    Are Fig Newtons the same as fig rolls? ›

    The main difference between the two is that Fig Newtons are softer and squishier than the biscuity shell of fig rolls. I would almost say that they are slightly damp. That said, sometimes fig rolls can be a bit dry – I usually have mine with a mug of tea or coffee.

    How many bugs are allowed in Fig Newtons? ›

    The fig paste contains 13 or more insect heads per 100 grams of fig paste in each of 2 or more subsamples when examined by AOAC methods of analysis, 44.083(a) and (b), AOAC 12th Ed. or 44. A02 1st Suppl.

    Why did Fig Newtons change their name? ›

    Modern Changes to the Fig Newton

    In 2012, they once again dropped the "Fig" from the name because, as the Kraft specialist Gary Osifchin told The New York Times, they wanted to change the core of the brand to fruit. "It was going to be hard for us to advance the Newtons brand with the baggage of the fig."

    Can dogs eat Fig Newtons? ›

    Do not feed your dog Fig Newtons. These sugary cookies contain additional ingredients (especially sugar and spices) that are not healthy for dogs and, in large amounts, could be toxic. The figs used in these cookies also aren't fresh—so when it comes to sharing your treats, just say no to your dog's begging eyes.

    How long do Fig Newtons last? ›

    If you want them to last longer, place them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Alternatively, you can flash freeze them or wrap them individually in plastic wrap before storing them in a freezer-safe zip lock bag and freezing them for up to 3 months.

    Why do Fig Newtons have so much sugar? ›

    The dehydration process of drying this fruit results in a higher concentration of sugar relative to weight, so dried figs have a higher concentration of carbohydrates—mostly in the form of sugar—than fresh figs. For instance, a 60 gram serving of dried, uncooked figs has 6 grams of fiber and 29 grams of sugar.

    Do Fig Newtons have nuts in them? ›

    While nut-free granola bars are tough to find, Fig Newtons are another nut-free treat that's similar. It's quick and easy to toss a few in your child's lunchbox to enjoy for an afternoon snack.

    What is the nutritional content of a fig Newton? ›

    Per 2 Cookies: 100 calories; 0 g sat fat (0% DV); 95 mg sodium (4% DV); 12 g total sugars. 100% whole grain wheat. 9 g whole grain per 29 g serving. Contains a bioengineered food ingredient.

    What is fig paste made of? ›

    Textured fig pastes are made with 100% fig products and are available in the following forms: A) Soft fig paste that is softer in texture than traditional paste and may be easier to use in some applications. It is a scoopable product somewhat like creamy peanut butter.

    References

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