Perhaps one of my most favorite things about avoiding processed food is the opportunity to be creative in the kitchen homemaking various goods.  Today, we saw a kid eating a Fig Newton at the Farmer’s Market.  My 3-year-old was asking what he was eating, and I told her it was like a cookie with fig jam inside….. She instantly suggested going home and making it ourselves, only better!  I love that my kids are growing up thinking about what they eat, really enjoying creating things in the kitchen with me, and thinking that everything can be homemade.  Sure, it takes work.  And time.  But I’m thankful to be able to do both – so tonight we made our own fig bars.  With whole wheat flour and honey.  And organic dried, unsweetened figs.  And they taste amazing.  I adapted this recipe from my amazing friend Nicole.  I CrossFit with her, and she is strong and lovely.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup roughly chopped (stems removed) dried, unsweetened figs

• 1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon pure honey

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

• 1 large egg

• 1 teaspoon 100% vanilla extract

• 1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour

METHOD:

1.  Preheat oven to 350.

2.  Places the figs in a small bowl, cover with hot water, and soak for 10 minutes.

3.  Remove the figs from the water with a slotted spoon and place in food processor.  Add 1 tablespoon honey, and about 1 tablespoon of the soaking liquid.  Puree until smooth and spreadable.

4.  Using your mixer, or by hand, whisk together 1/3 cup honey, egg, vanilla, and butter until well incorporated.

5.  Add the flour and mix until a dough forms.

6.  Roll dough between two pieces of parchment paper, creating a large rectangle.  It may help to flour your parchment paper so that the dough doesn’t stick.

7.  Spread the fix mixture evenly on 1/2 of the rectangle.  Leave a 1/4 inch border at the edge.

8.  Fold the dough over on top of itself and gently press the dough together at the edges.

9.  Cut the rectangle into even squares (makes 20-25 bars depending on how large you cut your squares).

10.  Place on parchment lined baking sheet, and bake 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

*Use organic ingredients whenever possible.