Whole Wheat Fig Bars

DIRECTIONS

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• In a large bowl, beat together shortening, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla until creamy.
• Add all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, orange peel and salt, beating until blended.
• Refrigerate dough 1 to 2 hours.
• Prepare fig filling and set aside, see below.
• On a floured surface, roll dough into 14 inch square.
• Cut dough into 4 equal strips, each 14 inches long and 3 1/2 inches wide.
• Spoon 1/4 of fig filling in a 1 1/2 inch wide mound down center of each strip.
• Using a long spatula, lift sides of each dough strip over filling, overlapping slightly on top.
• Press edges together to seal.
• Cut strips crosswise in half for ease of handling.
• Place, seam side down, 3 inches apart on greased baking sheets.
• Brush off any excess flour.
• Cut each strip into 7 (1 inch) crosswise pieces, but do not separate.
• Bake 13 to 15 minutes or until puffed and firm to the touch.
• Cool 5 to 10 minutes on baking sheets; then cut apart and remove to racks to cool completely.
• Fig Filling.
• In a medium saucepan, combine figs, water, lemon or orange juice and granulated sugar.
• Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
• Reduce heat and simmer 5 to 10 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally; cool.