Fig-Fruition Cakelets
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~ raw, vegan, gluten-free ~
This is my play on Fig Newtons. I LOVED those cookies growing up. As a child, I had no idea how complex their ingredient list was… I mean, they only contained figs and newtons, right? hehe
I am an ingredient reader, yep, I am the one that you find blocking the grocery aisle, lost in la la land, reading the fine print as you try to maneuver around my shopping cart. Should I ever be found blocking your path, I apologize ahead of time. :)
I have actually noticed how more and more people are reading the back of food packages these days. It’s a great conversation starter. When I find someone with their nose buried deep into reading the ingredients on a package, I can’t help but ask, “Looking for gluten-free?” Nine times out of 10, I have hit the nail on the head. This leads to some good conversations about the quality of foods, our bodies and so forth.
So, since we are talking about food labels and ingredients, let’s take a peek at what a Fig Newton is made up of… cause I promise you, it is more than just figs and newtons.
Ingredient List for Nabisco Fig Newtons: ENRICHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE [VITAMIN B1], RIBOFLAVIN [VITAMIN B2], FOLIC ACID), FIGS PRESERVED WITH SULFUR DIOXIDE, CORN SYRUP, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, SUGAR, SOYBEAN OIL, WHEY (FROM MILK), PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED COTTONSEED OIL, SALT, BAKING SODA, CALCIUM LACTATE, MALIC ACID, SOY LECITHIN (EMULSIFIER), POTASSIUM SORBATE ADDED TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR.
Bob has informed me that I can make these ANY time (hint hint) He really loved them.
Ingredients:
Yields 27 treats
Dough:
Fig Filling:
- 1 cup dried figs firmly packed
- 2 Tbsp soak water
Preparation:
Dough:
- Place the walnuts, cashews, cinnamon and salt in the food processor, fitted with the “S” blade and process till the nuts break down into small bits.
- Add maple syrup and start with 1 Tbsp of almond milk or water and add more as needed. Process till a ball forms and starts spinning around the processor. If the batter is too crumbly, add another Tbsp of water/milk or as needed.
- Place in a small bowl and set aside.
Filling:
- Place figs in a bowl and cover with hot water. Allow them to soak for 15+ minutes to soften.
- Drain the soak water from the figs and place them in the food processor, again fitted with the “S” blade. Keep the soak water. Add soak water slowly and process till it becomes a thick paste then stop adding the water.
- Place the paste in a small bowl and set aside.
Assembly:
Lay out all of the mini cupcake liners. I used silicone ones which hold the shape wonderfully., and no need to grease them.
For perfect measurements, I used the 1 1/2 Tbsp cookie scoop.
Step 1 ~
- Level off the cookie scoop with dough. Place on a cutting board. Do this till all the dough is used up.
- Cut each lump of dough into quarters. Take one-quarter of the dough and roll into a ball and place in the bottom of each liner. Softly press down flat.
Step 2 –
- Level off the cookie scoop with the fig batter. Place on a cutting board. Do this till all the dough is used up.
- Cut each lump of filling into quarters. Take one-quarter of the dough and roll into a ball and place in the center of the batter that is in the liner. Don’t press down. Do this till all of the liners are filled.
Step 3 ~
- Take 2 pieces of the quartered cookie dough and roll into a ball. Lightly pat into a disc in the palm of your hand and lay it over the ball in the liner. Do this till all fig batter balls are covered. If your hands get sticky during this process, stop and wash your hands. This will help.
- Press the edges down into the liner, around the shape of the fig filling ball. It will create a dome. Do this to all of the treats.
- Go back and flatten each one flat, this will cause the dough to level off the top and assure that the dough is covering the edges of the fig ball inside. Do this to all the treats.
Step 4 ~
- Place all of the treats on a cookie sheet or plate and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Remove from the freezer and pop the treats out of the liners. I found that if I pulled the sides away from the batter and flipped it over, gave the bottom a slight squeeze, they popped out undisturbed and beautifully.
Step 5 ~
- Place on the mesh sheet that comes with the dehydrator and dry at 115 degrees (F) for 4-6 hours.
Sous Chef Suggestions:
- Dehydrating ~ You can skip this step and serve them soft and moist. Store leftovers in the freezer.
- Shape ~ You can shape these into bars or any other desired shape.
- Dried figs – Replace with dates or raisins.
- Dried figs – I don’t suggest substituting with fresh figs or fruit due to the consistency and texture.
© AmieSue.com
Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Refined Sugar Free, Soy Free, Vegan
Hi Amie Sue, I can’t stay off this site :] (not that I want to), I loved Fig Newtons as a kid too, it was dad’s favorite cookie (besides Oreo’s). AHHHH – I now want to go on another 7 day detox / juice fast !! I had no idea how bad the ingredient list was,and I ate them for YEARS!! But yours look yummy – Sorry you knew this was coming- What nuts can I use to make these for Gene (well me too :] ) ? Once again I am truly grateful for you teaching/helping me, and responding to my questions,as I know you are a very busy person. Blessings, Lyn :]
I am glad to have you here Lyn… seeing you look at the recipes, commenting, reporting, asking questions… blesses me because this is why I share my recipes. :)
For this recipe use pecans since he can have those. It will change the flavor a bit but thats ok too. It will taste wonderful. I know that Gene has a very small list of seeds and nuts that he can eat. Have you read this post: https://nouveauraw.com/raw-techniques/making-raw-flours-explaining-the-difference-of-nut-flour-meal-and-pulp-plus-more/ yet? I wrote down on what nuts can be substituted with, etc. It’s not real in depth and black and white because some recipes use certain nuts or seeds for a purpose, but it might help you. Soon you will be able to look at any recipe and know how to replace certain ingredients with others based on dietary needs. It takes a little time, patience and practice.
Blessings, amie sue
Hello Amie Sue,
No I hadn’t read that yet, sorry! :] I always try to read all of the comments and replies on a recipe before I type you a question, so I don’t make you repeat an answer twice ( or more). I better pull an all night Nouveau read through :] soon! There is so much information here, I appreciate that, and that is why you have won the favorite online blog. Thank you for you encouraging words. Blessings, Lyn :]
No worries Lyn, I just thought it might help a little to scan over it. Have a happy day! amie sue
I usually ask to have a recipe printed, then copy and paste to word so I can print it out later. The place where I do that gives me limited time to do things like that, most often I have enough time to print what I really like. I could not do this with yours…and I truly wished to bake your recipe from Saturday.
Hello T…. I am a little confused, how come you not able to print this recipe? Is the print button malfunctioning? Please let me know so I can help. amie sue
Amie Sue, you are an amazing woman!
I look forward to each email I receive from you.
Your recipes are so easy to follow as they are
So beautifully explained.
And I just love the way you write, as if you are
Talking to me!
Keep up the great spirit and that smile in your voice!
And many blessings to you too!
Cobie
Thank you Cobie. :) I appreciate that you see my “heart” in all of what I share. You made my day and for that I am grateful.
Please keep in touch and have a glorious day, amie sue
i just happen to have some fresh picked figs on the table, and bet i could use them fresh, instead of dried….??? Then i could just skip the soak fig step…what do you think?? k.
I see your other comment that you saw what I said about using fresh up in the recipe. I love fresh figs too! I just don’t think they would work because they have to much moisture in them. The dried figs give us that “Glue” to hold everything together. You could always cut a fig in half and place it on the frosting when they are done for decor. That would pretty and delicious. :) I don’t see fresh figs all the often so when I do, I just gobble them up in pure form and use dried for such treats as these.
Have a happy day Kate! amie sue
whoooops…just saw where you don’t suggest fresh figs…=(
I’m drooling. These look delicious. I love how creative you are with the recipes and still, everything turns out beautiful!! And I am with you 100% on the chocolate :)
Thank you Marquis :) I hope you give the recipe a try and if you do, please let me know how it goes. Blessings, amie sue
Amie-Sue,
These were delish! I did not cover in the chocolate, but I can see how it would be really good on it. What size cups did you use? I was only able to make a dozen, so I am assuming my cups were larger…..this one is another keeper!
Hi KT,
Thanks for letting me know how they turned out for you. :) One, sec, let me go measure those little silicone cups that I used… Ok back, I was quick wasn’t I? haha They are 1 1/2″ in diameter and 3/4″ high. I appreciate you taking the time to give me the feed-back, means a lot. Have a great day, amie sue
Omg thank u so much! I love love love theses…. going to make some for my husband’ s boss she is raw but doesn’t have time to make things like this. So as an at home mom I spread the love hehehe. .. Well thank u again and keep them coming…. I love ur recipes! U haven’t fail me yet…msl
Melissa, you just made my night. Thank you so much for sharing this. Your husbands boss will really enjoy them. You will be blessed for your labor of love. :) Thank you for your sweet and kind words. hugs
Lovely recipe and hope to try but tad confused regarding walnuts & cashews, are you saying they can be either soaked or dehydrated? If not, please could you explain?
Hello Sue,
Within the ingredient list, I stated that they were soaked and dehydrated before adding to the recipe. You can however just use soaked nuts if yo want. I tend to have all my nuts and seeds, soaked and dehydrated so that they are ready for recipe inspiration, whenever it hits me. :) If you use wet nuts, it just might require a little longer in the dehydrator. But you can leave as much moisture or not as you wish. It’s all about preference. :) Blessings, amie sue