Fig Tart

Figs are in season, and they are so delicious in everything. If you can get your hands on some ripe-from-the-tree figs, make this Fig Tart. The tart starts with sweet tart dough, which is dense and understandably sweet. The sweet tart dough is filled with sticky, slightly sweet fig filling. This tart is perfect for a warm summer’s day and a fabulous way to use the fresh fruit.

Overhead close up view showing slice of pie on white plate with a fork

When we were deciding where to live in the great city of Baton Rouge, we had a lot of wants on our list of what our home should have. One thing that was never on our radar, let alone that want list, was a fruit tree.

However, when I arrived three weeks ago, there was a tree on our property line that appeared to have some sort of strange fruit growing on it. Curious, my mother and I pondered what this might be, and one day, I came to the conclusion that it was, aha!, a fig tree.

Close up view of whole figs in a metal bowl

Being someone who has never really eaten figs outside of Fig Newtons, which were one of my favorite treats as a child, I was stumped by what to do with the sudden abundance of fruit.

So, naturally, I looked up some recipes, drew some inspiration, and then made a recipe up.

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    And the end result? Way more fabulous than I could have ever imagined.

    You start out with a pound of fresh figs. Yes. A POUND. And yes, you could probably double or triple this recipe if you wanted. Or you could just pick more than a pound and continue to snack on the fresh figs throughout the day. Because they’re really, really good.

    You chop up the figs into quarters and throw them in a pot with the water, orange juice and brown sugar. Let this boil down until the water/orange juice/brown sugar mixture is syrupy and the figs are basically falling apart.

    They’ll look something like this:

    Close up view of figs simmering in a pot

    While your figs and those liquids are going in the pot, break the three eggs into a bowl and whisk them together. Set aside for later.

    Once the fruit is basically falling apart and the liquid is thick, you simply put them in your food processor (or blender) and blend them together. At this point, you can put the mixture back on the heat to thicken more or you can combine it with the vanilla extract, the walnuts, the eggs – be sure to temper them first! – and the butter, then throw into the tart pan.

    You’ll bake the dessert for about thirty minutes in a 350 degree oven or until the top of the tart is golden brown.

    And then you get to enjoy it. And let me tell y’all, this recipe is so. good.

    The inside of a Fig Tart after a slice has been removed

    Overhead close up view showing slice of pie on white plate with a fork

    Fig Tart

    Erin Parker, The Speckled Palate
    A sweet pie crust for any kind of tart or dessert that needs just a hint of sugar.
    4.20 from 5 votes
    Servings 1 9″-round tart
    Calories 546 kcal
    Prep Time 30 minutes
    Cook Time 30 minutes
    Total Time 1 hour

    Ingredients
      

    Sweet Tart Crust

    • 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • ½ cup unsalted butter
    • 2 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 4 tablespoons ice cold water could use more or less depending on how your dough comes together

    Fig Filling

    • 1 lb. fresh figs
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 ½ cups orange juice fresh, if possible
    • ½ cup dark brown sugar
    • 4 tablespoons salted butter
    • 3 large eggs lightly beaten
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 1 cup walnuts coarsely chopped

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    Instructions
     

    Make the Sweet Tart Crust

    • Fill a drinking glass of water. Place five ice cubes in it. Set aside.
    • Sift flour, sugar and sea salt together into a large bowl. Whisk together once everything has been sifted.
    • Measure out the shortening and drop it into the flour/sugar/salt mixture.
    • Use a pastry blender to break down the shortening into the flour/sugar/salt mixture.
    • Once the shortening has been broken into smaller pieces, pour in a tablespoon of the ice water. Use the pastry blender in a circular motion to continue mixing and combining the ingredients.
    • As your dough begins to come together, add more ice water. Add this slowly so you do not have a soup-y dough.
    • Once the dough is just combined, wrap it in plastic wrap and place in the freezer or refrigerator to chill for at least an hour before rolling out.

    Make the Fig Filling

    • Preheat oven to 350°F.
    • Chop the figs into quarters and set aside.
    • Break the three eggs into a bowl, whisk together and set aside.
    • Place figs into a saucepan with the orange juice, water and brown sugar. Bring to a boil and let simmer until the water/juice/sugar mixture is thick and syrupy and the figs are falling apart.
    • Use a food processor or blender to puree the fig and syrup mixture.
    • Transfer mixture back into pan. You can either continue to simmer this or add the last ingredients.
    • Mix in the eggs, tempering them before pouring all three into the hot mixture.
    • Add the walnuts, the vanilla extract and the butter.
    • Pour the batter into a tart pan that has been lined with the Sweet Tart Crust.
    • Bake for thirty minutes or until top is golden brown.
    • Once baked, let sit for five minutes to cool, and then enjoy!

    Notes

    The fig filling is adapted from Epicurious.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1sliceCalories: 546kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 8gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 284mgFiber: 4gSugar: 29g
    Keyword summer, summer dessert, tart
    Course Desserts & Sweet Treats
    Cuisine American
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Have you ever had a fruit tree in your yard?

    If so, what kinds of things did you learn how to make so you could enjoy the fruit for as long as possible?

    A woman with dark curly hair wearing a black tank top in front of a white wall

    About the Author:

    Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her

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    6 Comments

    1. You are so lucky you have a fig tree! Those are some of my FAVORITE little fruits. We had a plum tree in our yard growing up in Memphis – I remember picking them off the tree and eating them all the time. Right now, we have berries EVERYWHERE in season. Perhaps I can find a similar recipe for the abundance of strawberries we have here…

    2. was literally sitting under/next to a fig tree this weekend and was day dreaming of what i could cook with them.

      this recipe looks to die for.

      cue, bookmark 🙂

    3. Ooooh…I just adore figs and your tart is totally making my mouth water! I’d love to make this but I’ll have to try making the crust with butter instead of shortening. Hopefully it’ll work out okay. 🙂

    4. I was just looking at your site; super cool! Also kind of wish I had a fig tree in my back yard. Living in Brooklyn we are limited to over grown weeds resembeling tress and the ocasional oak. Figs are one of my favorite items to cook with. My favorite way to use them is with brussell sprouts:
      -Slice sprouts in half.
      -Slice figs in quarters.
      -Dice pancetta or bacon.
      -olive oil.
      -Just mix and throw in the oven untill done.

      Hope all is well and keep up the great work.
      Shawn.

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