Vegalicious

Who does not like fig newtons? They are soft, yet somewhat crunchy on the inside, tightly hugged by a pillowy outer layer. Unfortunately, most commercially sold, or even homemade recipes are not a healthy option for kids of any age (from 1 to 92 :)). This is disheartening, especially since the fig is such a nutrient rich food. It is nature’s perfect jam in an edible packet.

I fell in love with figs several years ago, when I first tasted a fully ripened fig from a relative’s garden.  It was one of the best gastromonic experiences of my life.

As you know this year I committed to making (processed) sugar free desserts for kids and adults alike.  I am now constantly looking for inspiration.  This time it came in the form of a grocery shopping trip to Costco. We happily stumbled onto organic Calimyrna dried figs. Having imagined what I could make out of them, aside from simply enjoying “naked” figs, I finally put on my apron and went to making sugar and oil free fig newtons. My family thoroughly enjoyed them.  Hubby gave them a 10 out of 10 stars and Sprout kept asking for her new favorite cookies.

Without further ado, here are (here comes a mouthful!) raw vegan, gluten free, sugar and oil free homemade fig newtons recipe.

Chef’s Notes: 

1. To have more colorful figs you can add a few blueberries to the filling, or even the dough, or add cacao powder to either.
2. I made the fig newtons you see in the images on a larger side, you can make them smaller.
3. The newtons are very filling.

Tools Needed for this Recipe:

• a food processor or a blender
• wax paper
• knife or a pizza cutter
• a rolling pin

Raw Vegan Fig Newtons Recipe

yields 7-6 inch newtons

Ingredients

Dough

• 1 cup almonds
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 clementine, peeled
• 5 pitted Medjool dates
• 1 tsp vanilla

Filling

• 10-12 Calimyrna dried figs
• 1/2 clementine, peeled
• 1-2 tsp lemon juice

Preparation

Dough

• Place all ingredients (almonds, oats, clementine, dates and vanilla) into a high speed blender (I used Blendtec with a Twister jar), or a food processor and blend until dough-like consistency is achieved–the ingredients will stick together. Be careful not to over-blend.

Filling

• Place figs, lemon juice and clementine into a food processor (I used Cuisinart with a 4.5 cup work bowl) and blend until the skins are broken down and a jelly like consistency is achieved.

Making Newtons

• Tear off a long sheet of wax paper
• Take the dough out of the blender (food processor), form into a square and place on the wax paper
• Pull wax paper over the dough log and using a rolling pin, roll the dough out into a square thin sheet (make sure your dough does not crack)
• Peel back top layer of the wax paper, take the filling and spread out over half of the dough
• With wax paper still under the dough, pick it up and bring the other half of the dough over the top of the fig filling
• Pinch sides by pressing the top layer down with your fingers
• Slice with a knife or a pizza cutter (this makes it easier) into desirable size newtons
• If you are patient, refrigerate for a couple of hours before enjoying
• Keep newtons refrigerated in a covered glass container

These fig newtons will safely last refrigerated for over a week.

(my newtons turned out to be on a “fatter” side–I used 15 figs)

Share

Make these healthy fig newtons, let me know what you think of them, and do share it with family, friends and the world wide web. Let’s make this world a healthier place one delicious recipe at a time!