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Oranges and figs are two of my favorite flavors, so I figured they would go very well together. They do, indeed, make a perfect couple. In addition, figs have impressive makeup, so if you would like to read more about figs, check out Healthline.
I found quite a few jams in the marketplace called Orange and Fig Jams. I was astonished because I do not recall ever seeing that in the local stores in my area, but I guess it is time I take a second look.
I needed a little crunch with the soft filling of the orange and figs and the soft cookies with the cream cheese. But, of course, that almost always means adding some nut. I could not think of a better nut for this combination than the all-mighty walnut. I also learned you could purchase Fig and Walnut Butter in a jar; I had no idea they made it. I hope you enjoy this cookie!
Recipe
Orange Fig Thumbprint Cookies
Barbara HallIngredients
COOKIE DOUGH
- 8 ounce (8 ounce) Cream Cheese softened
- 1 cup (227 g) Butter unsalted room temperature
- 1 cup (200 g) Sugar white
- 2 ½ cups (312.5 g) All-purpose flour
ORANGE FIG FILLING
- 8 ounce (8 ounce) Dried figs cut small
- ¼ cup (50 g) Sugar white
- 1 Tablespoon (1 Tablespoon) Orange zest
- ¼ cup (62 g) Orange juice fresh
- ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) Lemon zest
- 1 cup (236.59 g) Water
- ⅓ cup (39 g) Chopped walnuts
Instructions
COOKIE DOUGH
- Blend the butter and cream cheese in a stand or hand-held mixer on medium speed. Add the sugar and mix for 2 to 3 minutes. I turn off the mixer and scrape down the sides and across the bottom. Then, turn the mixer back on for about 30 seconds. Turn the mixer down low and slowly add the flour until incorporated. I check the bottom of the mixer bowl to ensure all the flour has been mixed. Loosely cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
ORANGE FIG FILLING
- Cut off the stems of the figs and then cut them into small pieces—zest and juice one orange into separate bowls. You should be able to get ¼ cup of juice from one orange, in a third bowl, zest one lemon. You just want the yellow and not any of the white that is under the outer skin.
- Add the cut-up figs, orange zest, orange juice, lemon zest, sugar, and water to a small saucepan and turn the burner to medium heat. You want to bring this to a boil. You can adjust the temperature so it is a low boil and not a hard boil. You want the liquid to evaporate. As the mixture gets thicker, I take a wooden spoon and begin smashing the figs to help break them up. You want to remove the saucepan from the heat when you have about ⅓ of the liquid left in the bottom of the saucepan. This takes about 10 minutes.
- I used a stick blender, but you can use a regular blender to finish making this fig filling like a fig jam. The stick blender took about 30 seconds. Pour into a bowl so it can cool down. It usually takes 10-15 minutes to cool. Finally, add the chopped-up walnuts and incorporate them into the fig mixture. Stir once in a while to keep it moist.
BAKE COOKIES
- Preheat over to 350° and line 2 cookie sheet pans with parchment paper. I used a medium cookie scoop for the cookie ball. If you use a small cookie scoop, you will need to drop the time it takes for them to bake. I would start to look at them at the 9-minute mark and adjust accordingly. Taking a medium cookie scoop, roll them into a ball with your hand if the dough has gotten too cold and hard warm the cookie dough ball in your hand. It will make it easier to do the thumbprint.
- Put your thumb straight down into the ball and then just spread out the hole a little so you have a lovely well for the fig filling. Add the fig filling using a teaspoon. Press down slightly to secure the mixture—Bake for 11-13 minutes. You want the bottoms to be light brown. Once the cookies are removed from the oven, leave them on the cookie sheet pan for a few minutes, then move to a cooling rack.
- You will have some of the fig filling left over; I put the fig filling into small containers to use on toast or bagels. Just store it in the fridge.
NUTRITION DISCLAIMER
I am not a certified Dietitian or Nutritionist. The nutrition amounts given below are provided through a program and are only a guideline.
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