Fig Bread

Sharon123's Note:

Adapted from Cook Now Serve Later Cookbook, this is a good tasting bread! You can substitute apricots, raisins, dates, etc. for the figs for variation. I have also halved this recipe and baked 45 minutes in a mini loaf pan. Enjoy!

• Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Yield: 1 loaf

• 1 cup apple juice
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter (1/2 stick, or margarine)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups dried figs, stems removed, coarsely chopped
• 1 3/4 cups flour (I use half whole wheat)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind (or orange rind)

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, heat the apple juice over moderately high heat just until boiling, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat, add butter, and stir until melted. Stir in the salt and figs. Cool to room temperature.
2. Preheat the oven to 350*F. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. In a medium bowl, beat eggs, sugar, and vanilla until well incorporated. Stir in fig mixture and lemon rind. Add all to the dry inigredients and stir until just moistened. Do not overmix.
3. Spoon the batter into a greased 8"x4"x2" loaf pan. Bake for about 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let it cool upright in the pan on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes. Remove and let cool completely.
4. Makes 1 loaf.

Reviews

[bkplunk]

I was looking for a quick recipe using dried figs and this was the first one I came across. It was pretty easy and it's delicious!! I started checking the bread after 45 minutes because it smelled like it was done. It took about a full hour to cook. I had to cover it with foil near the end so the middle would finish cooking without burning the top. It's a very good recipe. This is a keeper!

[jhkamei]

I made this yesterday with apricots plus I added some walnuts. Very good.

[Chef 2912]

I did not have the lemon rind, I did use 1/2 whole wheat flour. I checked with toothpick with 15 minutes left and the bread was done. Good bread, I think my cooking time was still to long, a little dry.