Chocolate Fig Brownies Recipes

Steps:

• To make fig puree, cover about 125-150g of dried figs with boiling water (figs+water to equal 175g). Keep warm (you can microwave on low for 5 minutes or so or put in a small pan over low heat). Soak until soft (about 10 minutes) and puree in food processor or with stick blender. The puree should have a texture similar to thick batter or soft butter. If it's too thick, add a little water or if it's too thin, add more softened figs. (If you find you've made a bit more than the 175g you need for the brownies, you can use it to top toast or porridge or substitute for butter in biscuit or flapjack recipes.).
• Melt butter and chocolate together in a heat-proof bowl over a pot of simmering water, or put it in the microwave on low for about two minutes (check, stir and repeat until melted).
• Beat eggs, sugar and vanilla together until thick and creamy, then add 175g of the fig puree and then the chocolate/butter mixture.
• Sift together flour and baking powder (add a pinch of salt if desired) into the bowl and combine.
• If adding nuts, roast under grill or in a hot pan, chop and add.
• Pour into baking pan or loaf tins. I use silicone, which doesn't need preparation, but a metal tin should be greased and either floured or lined with baking paper.
• Bake at 180°C/350 F/gas mark 4 for about 30 minutes or until the brownie begins to crack and does not wobble when shaken. This may take slightly less or slightly more time depending on how hot your oven is and how you like your brownies (ie longer baking time makes a cakier, less fudgy brownie). Cool and cut into squares.
• A note about substitutions: this recipe is amazingly robust and seems foolproof. Feel free to make prudent and appropriate substitutions as long as you keep the correct proportions of wet and dry ingredients. I often cut the sugar (by 30-50g) and just add an equal amount of flour instead. You can use prunes instead of figs, or substitute spelt flour for wheat. I once used 200g of chocolate and substituted 5 tablespoons of cocoa with an extra tablespoon of fig puree for the rest. Significant subs can be made within reason.

Steps:

• Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13-by-9-inch baking pan, preferably metal, with nonstick baking spray. Line the pan with parchment paper leaving a 2-inch overhang on the longer sides. Lightly coat with nonstick spray.
• Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, swirling occasionally, until the butter is a deep golden color, about 5 minutes; the butter will hiss and spit as the whey evaporates so be careful. As the foam subsides the butter will go from a canary yellow color to golden. When it does, take it off the heat. Add the chocolate and cream to the butter and let it sit, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate is melted.
• Sift the flour and cocoa powder through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl. Beat the granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, vanilla, espresso powder and eggs in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Start on low speed and gradually increase to high speed until the eggs are pale, very thick and fluffy, about 8 minutes (start your timer when you get to high speed). Do not be tempted to skimp on the mix time; this step is key to getting the signature shiny, crackled brownie top. Reduce the speed to low and slowly pour the warm chocolate into the eggs; beat until completely incorporated. Gradually add the dry ingredients and beat until just combined; do not overmix. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and fold until the batter is completely combined.
• Scrape the batter into the prepared pan. Bake until the brownies are glossy and just barely firm, and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 205 degrees F, 25 to 35 minutes. Don't let the thermometer touch the bottom of the pan or you will get a much higher reading. (The cook time will be at the higher end of the range if using a glass or ceramic baking dish.)
• Let the brownies cool completely to allow the crumb to set before slicing, about 3 hours.
• Use an offset spatula to loosen the brownies from the sides of the pan. Use the parchment overhang to lift the brownies out of the pan. Remove the parchment and cut into 24 squares.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Oil an 8-by-8-inch baking pan.
• Put the figs and dates in a medium bowl and cover with very hot water until soft, about 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to a food processor; process until very smooth.
• Put the chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl and heat for 30 second increments, stirring after each, until melted and smooth.
• Whisk together the flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda in a small bowl.
• Add the melted chocolate and oil to the fruit puree and pulse to combine. Add the eggs and vanilla and pulse to combine. Add the flour mixture and pulse until just combined. Then add 1/2 cup of walnuts and pulse until the walnuts are in pieces about the size of peas.
• Transfer the brownie batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top. Break up the remaining 1/4 cup walnuts into small pieces and push into the top of the batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out moist with a little bit of batter clinging to it, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan on a rack. Cut into 16 squares. Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
• Combine flour and baking powder in a bowl.
• Combine butter, brown sugar, and white sugar in a separate bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in 6 egg whites, one at a time. Stir in chocolate chips and vanilla extract. Stir in the flour mixture with a wooden spoon until smooth. Stir in figs with the wooden spoon.
• Divide the dough in two. Shape each half into a loaf about 12 inches long and 2 inches wide. Place the loaves 4 inches apart on the baking sheet; flatten tops slightly with your hand. Beat remaining egg white until foamy and brush over the tops. Lightly sprinkle cinnamon on the loaves after brushing on the egg white.
• Bake in the preheated oven until light brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool, about 30 minutes.
• Lower oven temperature to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Cut the baked loaves into 1/2-inch-thick diagonal slices using a serrated knife. Lay slices cut-side down on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until browned and crisp, about 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.