If you smashed Fig Newton's into your face as a kid like I did then these will be a welcome addition to your kitchen. First - they're FAST to make - and they’re healthy to boot. Win-win!
Preheat your oven to 350 F - line a sheet with a silicon sheet if you got it - otherwise parchment.
Plop the dried figs into a bowl and cover those bad boys with boiling water so they can soften up - like 10-12 minutes. Drain and set 'em aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk almond flour, oat flour, flax meal, tapioca starch, and baking powder until it is totally combined. Add the maple syrup, applesauce, and vanilla.
Stir until everything is combined and a thick dough can be formed into a ball. Don't be scared to get in there with your hands.
Divide the dough into two balls balls - use a kitchen scale if you've got one.
Toss the drained figs, lemon juice, and vanilla into a food processor and pulse that beautiful mixture till a thick paste forms - won't take long at all.
Place one of the cookie balls onto a piece of wax or parchment paper and shape into a log - you know what a log looks like, just eyeball it.
Lay the top sheet of wax or parchment paper over the cookie log and roll the dough into a 12 x 4 inch rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Remove the top paper and use your hands to create an even rectangle - it doesn't have to be perfect. You got this.
Spread half of the fig paste down the centre of the dough. Lift up the wax paper and fold the top part up over the fig filling until the two dough edges close. Press it down gently - don't smash the heck out of it or you'll end up with flat bars.
Slice into 1 to 1 1/2 inch cookies depending how big you want 'em. Place cookies onto a prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining cookie dough.
Bake for 10-15 minutes or until slightly golden. It really depends on your oven so keep an eye out.
When they're done let 'em cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes and then SMASH THEM INTO YOUR FACE!
Servings 14
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Feel free to substitute part of the figs with an equal weight in another dried fruit. You could experiment with fresh fruit but I haven't tried that yet...
