Best Fig Walnut Slice Recipes

SIMPLE FIG AND WALNUT TART

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the bottom position of the oven, put a baking stone or baking sheet on it and preheat to 400 degrees F. Line another baking sheet with parchment.
• Dust a work surface with flour, and roll the puff pastry sheet out into a 10-by-15-inch rectangle. Transfer the pastry to the prepared baking sheet. Measure a half-inch border around it, and lightly score the border with a knife (don't cut all the way through). Prick the pastry inside the border all over with a fork (don't prick the border). Brush the pastry all over with the egg, put the baking sheet with the pastry on it on top of the preheated baking stone, and bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. If you find that the pastry has puffed up in some places, use the bottom of a measuring cup or glass to press it down. Let the pastry cool completely on the baking sheet. (The cooled pastry can be wrapped and stored at room temperature for 1 day.)
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onions and a large pinch of salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and deeply golden, about 10 minutes. Add the vinegar, and stir until it has been completely absorbed. Remove the skillet from the heat, and let the caramelized onions cool completely. (They can be refrigerated for 1 day.)
• Scatter the fontina all over the pastry within the border. Top with the caramelized onions, figs and walnuts. Sprinkle the whole tart with the feta, thyme and some salt and pepper. Drizzle all over with oil.
• Return the tart on the baking sheet to the oven, putting it on the preheated baking stone. Bake until the fontina melts, 10 to 15 minutes. Drizzle generously with honey, and let cool for a few minutes. Cut into 16 squares, and serve.

FIG AND WALNUT COOKIES

Steps:

• For the pastry dough: Whisk the eggs and vanilla in a small bowl to blend. Mix the flour, sugar, lemon zest, and salt in a large bowl. Add the butter and rub in with your fingers until the butter is the size of small peas. Add the egg mixture and mix with a fork until the dough comes together. Gather the dough into a ball. Divide the dough in 2 and flatten into disks. Wrap the dough disks in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, for the filling and cookies: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Line 2 heavy large baking sheets with parchment paper. Finely chop the figs and raisins in a food processor. Add the honey, orange juice, cinnamon, and lemon zest, and pulse just to blend. Scrape the fig mixture into a medium bowl. Stir in the walnuts. Transfer the fruit mixture to a pastry bag.
• Roll out 1 disk of dough on a floured work surface to 1/8 to 1/4-inch thickness. Using a 2 1/2-inch diameter biscuit cutter, cut out dough rounds. Gather the dough scraps into a disk, then cover and refrigerate while assembling the cookies. Spoon the fruit mixture in the center of each dough round. Lightly moisten the edges of the dough with the egg wash. Fold the dough over the filling and press the edges to seal. Arrange the cookies evenly apart on the prepared baking sheets. Brush the tops of the cookies with egg wash. Bake until the cookies are pale golden, about 18 minutes.
• Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and cool completely. Repeat with the refrigerated dough scraps and remaining filling.

FIG AND WALNUT BOSTOCK

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Toast walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing occasionally, until fragrant, 8.10 minutes; let cool. Pulse in a food processor until finely ground.
• Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat butter and honey until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Mix in egg, then flour, baking powder, salt, and walnuts just to blend.
• Preheat oven to 350°. Whisk eggs and 1 teaspoon water in a small bowl and brush 1 side of brioche slices with egg wash. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and spread each slice with about 2 tablespoons walnut creme. Top with figs, cut side up. Brush figs with butter and drizzle with honey.
• Bake bostock until edges are golden brown and figs look softened and juicy, 20.25 minutes. Transfer baking sheet to a wire rack and let bostock cool.
• Dust with powdered sugar just before serving.