Chef Ena: Fig and Oats Harmony Bars

Dive into a delightful dance of flavors with our Indulgent Fig & Oats Harmony Bars. A buttery base marries the earthy sweetness of fig jam, offering a sublime foundation that teases your palate. As you delve deeper, the rich textures of old-fashioned oats and the nutty undertones of pecans or walnuts provide a satisfying crunch. But we don't stop there - a hint of cinnamon sparks a subtle warmth, while a zesty lemon glaze crowns the masterpiece with a tangy twist. Every bite is a symphony of perfectly harmonized flavors, making this treat nothing short of culinary poetry. It's not just a bar; it's an experience.

Perfect for breakfast on-the-go, a mid-afternoon treat, or a delectable dessert to round off your dinner!

Ingredients:

Base Dough:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) Unsalted Butter, softened at room temperature for one hour
• ½ cup Brown Sugar
• 2 Tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 2-1/4 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 1 Tsp Salt or Pink Salt
• ¼ Tsp Ground Cinnamon

Fig Filling:

Ingredients:

• 1-lb Fresh Figs
• ½ cup Brown Sugar
• ½ Tsp. Vanilla Extract
• ¼ cup Water
• 1 Tbsp Cornstarch plus one tbsp Water

Instructions:

1. Rinse all the figs, then remove the skin and finely chop them.
2. In a medium saucepan, place all the ingredients except for the cornstarch and tbsp of water.
3. Place the pot on the stove and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for about 20 minutes.
4. Mix the Cornstarch with water, then add to the fig jelly after 20 minutes. Let it cook for a few more minutes or until thickened.

Topping:

• ½ cup Unsalted Butter
• 1 cup Old Fashion Oats
• ½ cup All-purpose Flour
• 1 cup Pecans or Walnuts, Finely Chopped
• ½ tsp Ground Cinnamon
• ¼ tsp Salt or Pink salt

For the Glaze:

• 3 Tbsp. Lemon juice, from one lemon
• ½ cup Powdered Sugar

Preparation Instructions:

1. Heat the Oven to 350 Degrees and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large bowl, using a hand mixer), cream the butter with brown sugar and vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Turn off the mixer and add in the flour, salt, and cinnamon. Mix on low speed, just until the dough is soft and has pulled together. Press the dough firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan and refrigerate while preparing the filling and topping.
3. Prepare the Fig Jam (see recipe for preparation).
4. Wipe or clean the mixer bowl and mix ¼ cup of butter with oats, flour, nuts, cinnamon, and salt until soft. Then melt the remaining butter and set aside to cool.
5. Spread the fig jam evenly over the chilled dough base. Then add the Nuts Oats Topping over the Fig Jam and drizzle with melted butter. Bake for 45 minutes or until the topping is lightly browned.
6. Whisk together the lemon juice with enough powdered sugar to make the glaze. Drizzle over the bars.
7. Cool (or chill) for at least an hour before slicing and serving. I do recommend chilling for cleaner slices. This will stay fresh for about 7 days when stored in the refrigerator.