Easy Honey-baked Figs

These easy, honey-baked figs are a classy way to end a meal. A simple, light dessert that you can make in less than an hour.

I love perfectly ripe fresh figs! Not only do they taste great, but they are nutritional powerhouses, too -  high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals!

Luckily, here in Greece, there are plenty of figs and lots of different varieties. The most popular ones are green and black.

For this recipe, I used a variety called Vasilika, or Royal figs. They're dark purple, but some have green and pale yellow streaks, too. I like them because they’re a bit sweeter than the green ones. You can use any variety, really, as long as they're fresh.

These honey-baked figs are divine and so EASY to make! You only need 5 ingredients!  

Love desserts with fresh fruit? Try my easy strawberry and apple crumble, my fresh fig crumble tart, and my easy apple crisp!

Whenever I have fresh figs, I usually make jam, but this year, I wanted to develop a new recipe. I decided to infuse different flavors together and bake them. I was really surprised with the outcome! 

I serve them over Greek yogurt (pictured in this post). They look so elegant with the flower-like shape! Perfect for a dinner party!

Aaaaaand, they’re absolutely AMAZING with vanilla ice cream (just about everything is, right?). Of course, they’re great on their own, too!

What do these honey-baked figs taste like?

I would say the taste is a combination of honey and jam, but with a mild, sweet flavor and a hint of nuttiness. The spices, honey, and cognac really enhance the delicate flavors of the fruit. The brown sugar adds a subtle caramel flavor that compliments the figs really well and gently caramelizes them. When you take them out of the oven, there's a gorgeous red syrup in the baking dish - so good!

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE EASY HONEY-BAKED FIGS

Fresh figs - Any variety will do.

Honey - For this recipe, I used Greek flower honey. For a vegan alternative, use maple syrup, instead. 

Dark brown sugar - Perfect for a nice caramel undertone.

Spices - I use cinnamon and nutmeg.

Cognac/Brandy - It adds a nice aroma and really captures the overall flavor without being boozy. Instead of cognac or brandy, you could add a sweet wine, like Mavrodafni. 

HOW TO MAKE EASY HONEY-BAKED FIGS

They are really simple to make. Here’s what to do:

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

• You can use any variety of fresh figs, but I find the darker ones are better for this recipe, especially when they are ripe.
• When you cut the figs, make sure you don’t cut all the way through. That way they keep their pretty flower shape after baking.
• Use a small baking pan so that the figs are close together and hold their shape. I used a 9 x 6.5 inch / 23 x 16.5 cm pan.
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

IDEAS FOR SERVING HONEY-BAKED FIGS

Here are a few ideas you may want to try:

• Serve them just as they are! If you're a fig lover, you will really like them on their own, especially with some walnuts. 
• With Greek yogurt. The tanginess of the yogurt really pairs well with the syrup and the fruit. If you’re entertaining, this would make a very impressive dessert, too!
• With vanilla ice cream. OMG! A remarkable combination!
• Over oatmeal. This would make a nice breakfast.
• With bread. You could have them over slices of sourdough bread as a snack or appetizer.
• With cheese. Add them to your cheese board for a Mediterranian twist! In Greece, they’re sometimes served on top of Greek gruyere cheese or goat cheese. 

Enjoy!

MORE DESSERTS WITH FRESH FRUIT

Let me know how these honey-baked figs turn out for you in the comments below! I'd love to hear from you!

~Voula