Homemade Fig Newtons Recipe (2024)

This homemade version of the classic cookie, Fig Newtons, is easy to make and the perfect sweet snack. It tastes even better than store-bought!

Each bite of this homemade cookie brings me back to my childhood. My mom often bought Fig Newtons and my sisters and I would quickly devour them. We all loved that special cookie with its classic square shape.

I didn’t start making homemade fig newton cookies till I was an adult and they are just as good (if not better!). If you’re feeling nostalgic, take a trip down memory lane and whip up a batch of these chewy cookies. They are easy to make!

Figs are a typical ingredient, but they work so well in this soft cookie recipe. Fig Newtons are a classic lunchbox snack and kid favorite for many decades. Everyone loves the sweet taste of figs!

Why You’ll Love Homemade Fig Newtons

• Perfect cookie for a kid’s lunchbox or after school snack
• Has a delicious flavor that everyone enjoys
• Classic cookie that has stood the test of time
• Kids and adults love this recipe
• Each bite will bring back memories

Ingredients

Fig Filling

• Fresh figs – Look for Mission Figs if you can find them.
• Brown sugar
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice
• Water

Cookie Dough

• Unbleached all-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Coarse salt
• Unsalted butter
• Brown sugar
• Egg
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

How to Make Fig Newton Cookies

• Step One: In a bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
• Step Two: In another bowl, cream the butter and the brown sugar.

• Step Three: Add the egg, milk, and vanilla. Continue mixing until you get a smooth texture.

• Step Four: Add the flour mixture and stir until a smooth paste forms. Wrap the dough ball in plastic and chill in the fridge for 2 hours.

• Step Five:In a small saucepan, add the figs, brown sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest and water.
• Step Six: Bring to a boil. Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
• Step Seven: After 30 minutes, it will look more like a jam. If you want a smooth texture, add the mixture to a food processor and puree until smooth.

• Step Eight: After the dough has chilled for 2 hours, preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Step Nine: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a rectangle 16 inches by 12 inches and about ¼ inch thick. Cut the rectangle into three strips.
• Step Ten: In the center of each strip of dough, spread a thin layer of filling.

• Step Eleven: Fold both sides of the strip of dough over the filling, making a cylinder. Turn the cylinder seam side down, then flatten slightly with your hands.
• Step Twelve: Bake in the oven for 12 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes.
• Step Thirteen: Cut each strip of dough into 8 squares.

Equipment Needed

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• Electric mixer
• Plastic wrap
• Mixing bowls
• Sharp knife
• Rolling pin

What to Serve with Fig Newtons

• Cheese. Serve them on a plate with goat cheese and/or brie.
• Fresh fruit. Try them with apple slices, grapes or pear slices. You can also enjoy them with dried fruits like apricots.
• Chocolate. Serve with pieces of chocolate or dip them in melted chocolate. Yum!
• Coffee, tea, milk, apple juice or orange juice.
• Fig jam. Intensify that fig flavor by serving with fig jam.

Substitutions and Variations

• Use dried figs if you can’t find fresh figs.
• Substitute maple syrup or honey for the brown sugar.
• Use orange zest instead of lemon zest.
• Use all-purpose flour instead of unbleached all-purpose flour.
• Use granulated sugar instead of brown sugar in the cookie dough.

See Also

30+ Totally Festive Eggnog Recipes - Brighter CraftChocolate Chip Cherry Shortbread Cookies | Swanky RecipesChristmas Bread Recipe: This Cinnamon Bread is a Favorite Neighbor Gift!Butterscotch Monkey Bread Recipe (Bubble Bread)

Storage Instructions

Store the homemade Fig Newtons in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want to keep them fresher for longer, place them in the fridge for up to 10 days.

Can I Freeze?

Yes! You can freeze your Fig Newtons made from scratch. Wrap the cookies in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place in a freezer bag. Store for up to 2 months in your freezer.

When you want to eat them again, set them on the counter to thaw for a few hours before enjoying.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Use high-quality figs. Make sure the figs you choose are plump and free of mold.
• Don’t overwork the dough. Mix the dough until it’s just coming together. If you overwork it, it can make it tough.
• Chill the dough. Chilled dough is so much easier to work with. Don’t skip this important step.
• Roll the dough carefully. You want to make sure it’s both thin and even. It should a thickness of about ¼ inch.
• Don’t skip the lemon zest. Citrus will bring out the flavors of the filling. You can use orange zest instead of lemon zest if you want.

Alternatives to Fig Filling

Want to try something different than the traditional fig filling? Here are a few ideas.

• Date Newtons. Use pitted dates instead of the figs.
• Nut Newtons. Make a nut filling with chopped almonds, walnuts and/or pecans mixed with some honey or maple syrup.
• Fruit Newtons. Use another kind of dried fruit instead of the figs. You could try apricots, raisins, cherries or cranberries.

Where Did Fig Newtons Come From?

Ready for a bit of history? It’s quite interesting to learn where this beloved cookie’s origins.

Fig Newtons have been around for more than 100 years. They were invented in the USA by Nabisco which was known as National Biscuit Company back then.

In the late 1800s, Charles Rose, a baker from Philadelphia, created a cookie made with a fig paste filling. He called his new cookie, “Fig Newtons” after the town of Newton, MA. He used to live there.

He sold the Fig Newton recipe to a cookie company called Kennedy Biscuit Works. This company was later on bought out by National Biscuit Company in 1898.

Cookie Recipes

• Cool Whip Cookies
• Cream Cheese Cookies
• Lemonade Cookies
• Whipped Shortbread Cookies
• Ritz Cracker Cookies

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