Fresh Fig and Almond Quick Bread | Renee's Kitchen Adventures

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Fresh Fig and Almond Quick Bread


When it comes to fresh fig recipes, this Fresh Fig and Almond Quick Bread is a winner! Deliciously sweet fresh figs combine with almond flavor in a quick bread everyone will enjoy!

Fresh Fig and Almond Quick Bread


I don't get the chance to get to Trader Joe's very often.  When I do get there this time of year, I always look to see if they are selling fresh figs.  Black figs to be exact.


You can find dried figs on the shelves year round. But, fresh figs are in season for a short time. If you want to make fresh fig recipes, then you have to have a sharp eye!


Guess what they had on the shelves on a trip this past weekend?


Yes!  Fresh Black Figs.


Fresh Fig and Almond Quick Bread


Call it fate that I stumbled across this recipe today.  A Cooking Light recipe to boot, so I had to change very little to make it work for me.  The original recipe called for dried figs so I subbed fresh ones with excellent results. (If you don't have or can't get fresh figs, use dried ones that have been softened in some water and chopped.)  The combination of figs and almonds is outstanding.  Crunchy sweet nuttiness.


The loaf uses very little oil but is so moist!  I omitted the streusel topping called for in Cooking Light's version and opted for a sprinkling of sliced almonds and turbinado sugar instead. TIP:  Remember, the secret to a tender quick bread or muffin recipe is in the mixing.  NEVER over mix the dry and the wet ingredients.  You just want them to combine.  


Did you know that the fig is considered one of the world's most healthiest foods?  Figs are high in potassium and fiber and are about 37 calories each. Figs are also very perishable.  They need to be eaten within a few days of purchasing them.  Read more about figs HERE.



Fresh Fig and Almond Quick Bread
adapted from Cooking Light

Servings - 16   Serving Size - 1/16th of loaf   Points Plus per Serving - 5 Points+
Calories - 168.4,   Total Fat - 5.8g,   Carb. - 26.9g,   Protein - 3.1g,   Fiber - 1.3g

2 cups all purpose flour (or half whole wheat pastry flour)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup canola oil
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/3 cup reduced fat sour cream
3/4 cup granulated sugar
6 medium sized fresh black figs, stems removed and coarsely chopped
1/3 cup sliced almonds (reserve a few to sprinkle on top before baking)
1 tsp turbinado sugar, for sprinkling on top before baking, if desired

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Spray a 9 x 5 x 3" non-stick loaf pan with cooking spray.  Set aside.  

2.  In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt.  

3.  In a 4 cup glass measure or small bowl, combine the eggs, applesauce, oil, almond extract, sour cream and sugar.  Whisk until combined.  

4.  Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and mix until just combined.  Gently fold in the chopped figs and sliced almonds.  Spread into prepared pan. Top with reserved almonds and turbinado sugar, if desired.

5.  Bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, approximately 55-60 minutes.  Cool in pan for 10 minutes then remove to wire rack to cool completely before slicing. 

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I took the leftovers of this bread to work with me yesterday (because we are back to only three people in this house now) and they were devoured.  This bread makes a great snack or a quick breakfast!

This is not an overly sweet bread and, like I had mentioned, such a nice flavor with the almonds and figs.  The easiest way to get this divided evenly into 16 portions is to slice it into 8 pieces, then slice those pieces in half.  


I love fresh figs!  How about you?  Do you like fresh figs?  Have you ever tried fresh figs?  (I saw green ones at the store too, but I have not tried them yet.) 



21 comments:

  1. I still am yet to try a fresh fig! I like them dried though! The bread looks fantastic! I don't like when quick breads are too sweet.

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  2. The bread looks awesome! I have never had fresh figs, they aren't available here and we don't have a Trader Joe's nearby or a Whole Foods...boo! I can imagine they devoured it at work :)

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    1. Saw them at Costco yesterday!

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    2. Wouldn't you know I don't have one of those either. I'm telling you I'm in the sticks...lol! ;) Have a good weekend Renee!

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    3. well poo! lol Sorry Suzie! You have a great weekend too! And if I lived closer, I'd be stopping by for a dip in the pool and bringing a dish to share!

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  3. Awesome! I've never tried a fresh fig, but I'd love to try one. Your bread looks great!

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    1. Thanks! Figs are great. If you find them, give them a try!

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  4. I want to try fresh figs so badly. We don't have a TJ's or fresh figs around here. Woe is me! Your bread sound so good.

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    1. I saw some at costco yesterday, if you have one nearby. :)

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  5. My neighbor has a fig tree and some branches hang over the fence into our yard :-) I am going to try this, it sounds delish!

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    Replies
    1. I hope you enjoy it! :) How lucky you have access to a fresh fig tree!

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  6. It always seems that fig recipes come in AFTER our trees have stopped producing here in Georgia! Well, that is to say, we can only reach so high into our two huge fig trees and leave the rest for our feathered friends -- it's like a feeding frenzy when the trees are "abuzz" or chirping with the many flocks OH, and let's not forget the thousands of bees. My husband isn't a great fan of figs, but willingly picks them every day for me. He loves fig preserves which I have made for him this year and I have frozen bagsful for our protein healthy drinks. They are quite tasty and you guys have to try them. Enjoy y'all ...you'll wish you had a tree in your backyard, too! (OH, on a side note, these trees are his grandmother's [we bought the house long ago], but when she was here, she said in order to get the trees producing you had to "whip" it. Let me say, the neighbors probably had a good laugh when he was out there whipping them to attention. Think he whipped them too hard, as we have more than needed.) And, they do spoil fast, so quick picking, eating and enjoy!

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  7. Renee, love your new look! Love this bread too :)

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  8. Just looking at the beautiful picture I know this had to be moist and delicious! I've never baked with figs! I need to remedy that!

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  9. I just bought some fresh Black Mission Figs last week! I love to eat them as they are but in this bread they would be delicious! Thanks so much for this awesome recipe, Renee!

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    1. Those are the perfect figs for this bread! Enjoy! thanks for stopping by!

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  10. I made these this weekend with fresh figs off of my tree and this recipe was so good! We've gone through two loafs already and I'm preparing to make more! Love it!

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    1. Thank you so much for your review and i"m so glad you liked it. Also jealous that you have a fig tree!! :)

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  11. Wow that was odd. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn't appear.
    Grrrr... well I'm not writing all that over again. Anyway,
    just wanted to say great blog!

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