Nutty Fig Bars

Total Time: 3 hrs 40 mins Preparation Time: 3 hrs Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 24
• 3 cups whole wheat flour (or combination of whole wheat and all-purpose flours)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 1/4 cup vegetable shortening
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or 1 cup pecans, toasted
• 1 lb dried fig, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)

Recipe

• 1 sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, if using; set aside.
• 2 in mixer on high speed, beat shortening, butter and brown sugar until combined.
• 3 reduce speed to low; add eggs and vanilla.
• 4 increase speed to high; beat until light and fluffy.
• 5 add the flour mixture and beat just until blended.
• 6 stir in nuts.
• 7 turn dough onto a sheet of plastic wrap, flatten into a disc and wrap; chill at least 2 hours.
• 8 while dough is chilling, prepare filling.
• 9 in large saucepan over medium heat, combine figs, sugar, orange juice, water and salt, if using.
• 10 stirring occasionally, cook until mixture thickens and comes to a boil, about 10 minutes; cool completely.
• 11 heat oven to 350-degrees.
• 12 remove dough from refrigerator; divide in half.
• 13 on floured surface, roll out one half into a 13x9-inch rectangle: set aside.
• 14 press remaining half into bottom of a 13x9-inch baking pan.
• 15 spread fig filling over dough in pan, then place rolled dough over filling, gently pressing to cover.
• 16 bake until dough is browned and cooked through, 35-40 minutes.
• 17 cut into squares.