"It's not a cookie, mother, it's a fruit newton!"
If you get that reference, then you probably ate fig newtons as a kid like I did. I ate them with my dad and we would often imitate the popular fig newton commercial (at the time) where a young man told his mom that he wasn't eating a cookie, but a fig newton.
Well I certainly don't eat fig newtons anymore, but after I made these I realized that I just created a smashing gluten-free version of a fig newton. Better yet, no baking is involved. Who wants to turn on their oven when it's 90 degrees outside anyway? Right?
All you need is some dried fruit and a food processor. Basically.
Below, in the recipe, I note that you can use coconut cream or coconut oil. I have tried both and they work fine. I mean, I haven't made about 5 or 6 batches of these over the past few weeks.....
....Okay, I have... but that's just because I was testing the recipe to make sure it came out right each time. At least, that's what I tell myself.
Coconut cream is a great choice because it adds to the flavor more than coconut oil, but if you don't have it on hand then do not worry. Simply replace it with coconut oil and you are good to go.
Also, my first version of these contains just fig and raisin (no apricot). That works extremely well too. If you want to do that, just add more raisin and leave out the apricot!
Make them. Eat them. Share them.
Apricot Fig Bars
no: gluten, grains, dairy, eggs, nuts, soy
Ingredients:
2 cups soaked figs (calimyrna or black mission)
1 cup raisins, well packed
1/2 cup apricots, lightly soaked
2 tablespoons lemon or orange juice (fresh)
4 tablespoons coconut flour
1 tablespoon coconut cream or coconut oil (room temp, soft but not completely melted)
shredded coconut
Directions:
Soak the figs overnight in water (or, if in a hurry - simply soak in hot water for about 10 minutes)
Lightky soak the apricots in hot water for 5-10 minutes
Do not soak the raisins, just measure them and add to food processor
Drain the water and add figs and apricots to the food procsesor
Place the rest of the ingredients, except for the coconut flour, into the food processor and begin to blend
One well combined, add the coconut flour and blend until thoroughly mixed
Add some shredded coconut to the bottom of a rectangular glass dish
Using a spatula, scrape the fig filling into the glass dish (don't try to spread it yet)
Since it's rather sticky, the best way to spread it is to simply add some more shredded on top and it will spread easily into the rectangular dish (or coat your spatula with coconut oil, that will make it not stick too!)
Garnish with more shredded coconut and place in the fridge, covered, for a few hours
Cut into bar size pieces and serve!
Better yet, eat them on a lazy Saturday morning just because!
Yum.
