Fig Bars

Ingredients

• 3 cups dried figs
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup white sugar
• 0.5 cups butter , softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1.75 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoons salt

Instructions

1. 1

   Soak figs in water for 1 hour. Transfer mixture to a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until thick and stew-like, 30 minutes or longer. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.

2. 2

   Meanwhile, cream sugar and butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer. Beat in milk and vanilla until smooth. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in another bowl; stir into creamed mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

3. 3

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.

4. 4

   Divide dough into two pieces; knead each piece five or six times. On a well-floured surface, roll each piece out to a 9x13-inch rectangle, about 1/4-inch thick. Line the prepared pan with one piece of dough, spread with fig mixture, then cover with remaining dough.

5. 5

   Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool, then cut into 20 squares.