Fig Jam Bars - my version of commercial Fig Bars

A fancy jar of fig-walnut jam, a Christmas gift from a niece and nephew, was the inspiration for this recipe—my homemade version of commercial Fig Bars. Barry loves these but if you are not a fig fan, I think raspberry jar would be delightful. Of course pecans could be subsisted for the walnuts or nuts could be omitted altogether.

Fig Jam Bars       Makes an 8x8-inch pan

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup rolled old-fashioned oats 

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 stick butter, softened

2 cups fig jam

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 8x8 pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the sides; set aside.
2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, walnuts, oats, sugar, cinnamon and salt.
3. Use a fork or your fingers to work in the softened butter; mixture should eventually appear as small crumbs.
   
   
   
   
4. Transfer two-thirds of mixture to prepared pan and press it down, covering the entire bottom of the pan.
   
5. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until crust is light brown.
   
6. Remove from oven and spread the fig jam across the top.
   
7. Sprinkle the reserved oat mixture evenly over the jam.
   
8. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden brown.
   
9. Cool completely in the pan.
10. Remove and cut into bars.

Recipe without photos . . .

Fig Jam Bars       Makes an 8x8-inch pan

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup rolled old-fashioned oats 

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 stick butter, softened

2 cups fig jam

1. Preheat oven to 350°.Line a 8x8 pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the sides; set aside.
2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, walnuts, oats, sugar, cinnamon and salt.
3. Use a fork or your fingers to work in the softened butter; mixture should eventually appear as small crumbs.
4. Transfer two-thirds of mixture to prepared pan and press it down, covering the entire bottom of the pan.
5. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until crust is light brown.
6. Remove from oven and spread the fig jam across the top.
7. Sprinkle the reserved oat mixture evenly over the jam.
8. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden brown.
9. Cool completely in the pan.
10. Remove and cut into bars.