How do I get the base crumbly?

Make sure the butter is really cold and cut into small chunks. Rub that into the flour and sugar with your fingertips until it looks like rough crumbs. Don’t mix too much or it won’t stay tender.

Can I use fresh figs instead of dried ones?

You can try fresh figs but they’re juicier and softer, so you might need to cook them longer and use less water to get a thick enough spread.

What's the best way to spread the fig layer evenly?

After you blend the fig compote until it’s smooth, pour it onto the crumb base and gently smooth it out with a spatula so every bite has the same flavor.

How do I make sure the cream cheese topping sets just right?

Mix the cream cheese with sugar, vanilla, and egg until it’s silky. Bake at a medium heat (around 180°C or 356°F) for about 30 minutes until it’s just golden and firm to touch.

Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake them early and keep covered in the fridge. Let them warm up to room temp before you serve for the best taste and texture.

Tasty Fig and Cream Cheese Bars

Section: Sweet Treats

These bars start with a tender buttery crumble that’s soft and crumbly. The fig layer mixes natural sweetness with a splash of fresh lemon juice to brighten it up. On top, there’s a smooth and creamy mix of cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and egg giving a rich finish. Once baked golden, the bars blend flavors and textures perfectly and taste great for any occasion. Letting them cool before cutting helps keep the bars neat and firm.

Using cold butter helps you get the crumble just right. Blending cooked figs with their juice makes the spread smooth and easy to spread. You can tweak how sweet the fig part is by adding more or less sugar. The vanilla brings a cozy aroma to pair with the fig’s natural earthiness. These bars taste great fresh or after chilling to deepen the flavors.

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Created By Lindsey

Most recently updated on Sun, 23 Nov 2025 17:40:05 GMT

Three pieces of yummy fig and cream cheese bars. | cookbing.com

These rich bars mix a crumbly buttery crust with a sweet fig filling and a creamy, smooth top The combo of flavors and textures makes for a cozy treat whenever you want something sweet and satisfying

I found this dish when I was after a simple yet fancy dessert to wow guests Since then it’s become a go-to favorite for celebrations and afternoon treats

What You Need

How To Make It

Three stacked bars of fig and cream cheese dessert. | cookbing.com

The fig filling is my favorite part The natural sweetness combined with fresh lemon makes such a rich, layered flavor I brought these to a family party and everyone went back for seconds fast It’s a sweet treat that feels as special as it tastes

How To Store

Switch Up Ingredients

Ways To Serve

Close up of a tasty dessert bar. | cookbing.com

The mix of tangy cream cheese with sweet fig makes these bars a winner anytime They stand out on any plate Whether it’s a quick snack or a weekend treat they’re simple yet feel special

Frequently Asked Cooking Questions

→ How do I get the base crumbly?: Make sure the butter is really cold and cut into small chunks. Rub that into the flour and sugar with your fingertips until it looks like rough crumbs. Don’t mix too much or it won’t stay tender.
→ Can I use fresh figs instead of dried ones?: You can try fresh figs but they’re juicier and softer, so you might need to cook them longer and use less water to get a thick enough spread.
→ What's the best way to spread the fig layer evenly?: After you blend the fig compote until it’s smooth, pour it onto the crumb base and gently smooth it out with a spatula so every bite has the same flavor.
→ How do I make sure the cream cheese topping sets just right?: Mix the cream cheese with sugar, vanilla, and egg until it’s silky. Bake at a medium heat (around 180°C or 356°F) for about 30 minutes until it’s just golden and firm to touch.
→ Can I make these bars ahead of time?: Yes, you can bake them early and keep covered in the fridge. Let them warm up to room temp before you serve for the best taste and texture.

Fig Cream Cheese Bars

Soft buttery bars filled with sweet fig spread and creamy cheese topping, great for a tasty snack or dessert.

Preparation Time

30 minutes

Time to Cook

30 minutes

Overall Time

60 minutes

Created By: Lindsey

Type of Recipe: Sweet Treats

Cooking Difficulty: Intermediate Skill Needed

Cuisine Style: American

Servings Yielded: 12 Number of Servings (12 bars)

Diet Preferences: Vegetarian Option

Ingredients List

→ Crumble Mix

01 80 g brown sugar

02 90 g chilled unsalted butter, in small chunks

03 170 g plain flour

04 A pinch of salt

→ Fig Sauce

05 240 ml water

06 400 g dried figs, chopped and without stems

07 45 ml lemon juice, fresh

08 40 g white sugar

→ Cheese Topping

09 1 large egg

10 170 g softened cream cheese

11 5 ml vanilla flavoring

12 40 g sugar

Detailed Cooking Steps

Step 01

Grab a bowl and mix the flour, sugar, salt, and cold butter pieces. Use your fingers to rub it all until it looks like rough crumbs.

Step 02

Get a 20×30 cm pan and grease or line it. Push the crumble mixture flat across the bottom so it forms a firm layer.

Step 03

Put the chopped figs, sugar, and water into a small pot. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes until figs soften up. Take it off the heat and let it cool down a bit.

Step 04

Pour the fig mix and juices into a blender. Add lemon juice then blend it all till smooth. Spread this evenly over your crumb base in the pan.

Step 05

Beat the cream cheese along with the sugar, vanilla, and egg until the mix is smooth and creamy.

Step 06

Pour the creamy cheese over the fig spread and smooth it out. Bake in a 180°C oven for 30 minutes until set and slightly golden. Let it cool fully before cutting into bars.

Helpful Hints

Cold butter is key for crumbly texture.
Real vanilla flavor makes a big difference.
Feel free to tweak sugar in the fig sauce to your liking.

Necessary Kitchen Tools

Blender
20×30 cm baking pan
Oven
Spatula
Mixing bowl
Small pot

Allergy Information

Always check ingredient labels for allergens and ask a doctor if unsure.

Has dairy and egg
Has gluten

Nutritional Info (Per Serving)

These nutritional values serve as a guide and don’t replace advice from healthcare experts.

Calorie Count: 280
Fat Content: 12 grams
Carbohydrate Content: 40 grams
Protein Amount: 5 grams