Fresh figs. I had my first three years ago on a hot summer day. Like many of us, my earliest memories of figs came in the form of those ubiquitous cookies. Imagine my wonder when I sliced my first fresh fig in half (they truly are one of the sexiest fruits I’ve seen) and imagine my delight when I took my first bite–subtle and sweet with that almost nutty texture.
Fast forward and now we buy figs at the end of each summer. They’re one of the best ways to transition into fall. Baking with figs intensifies both their flavor and their sweetness. They roast beautifully and they were the perfect topping to my favorite French Yogurt Cake.
When I needed a last minute dessert on Sunday afternoon, this roasted fig cake came together effortlessly. We served it along with a scoop of ice-cream and Ryan’s pour-over coffee. And we vowed we’d make it again next summer, just as the days were rolling towards Autumn.
Roasted Fig Cake
12 figs, stems removed and sliced into quarters
2 tablespoons melted butter
2 tablespoons honey
Sprinkle of flaky sea salt
Prepare cake and allow to cool. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Grease lightly. Combine sliced figs, melted butter, and honey in a bowl. Sprinkle with sea salt and stir gently. Roast for 15-20 minutes, until figs are soft and syrup begins to bubble. Spoon roasted figs on top of cake and serve.
I cannot wait for fig season again (I’ll be waiting a while). They’re such beautiful fruit aren’t they! 😀
This cake looks lovely! Such a simple topping, but the figs make this straight up fancy!
Yum Monet! I’ve never had fig cake, but just looking at this makes me know that I’d love it! What a great recipe!
I have not baked with figs enough! This cake is amazing and so beautiful. . love this!
Monet, baking with figs is just amazing – it does bring out their sweet character – your cake looks just like the kinds of cake that I treasure so much – simple, elegant and really big on flavor!
Thank you for sharing another wonderful recipe and your absolutely amazing photography, dear friend!
Give a big fat hug to Lucille for me!
Have a great weekend!
Andrea
I’ve been waiting for this recipe since you posted the photo to instagram! Love yogurt in a cake. And yes, figs go waaay beyond Fig Newtons! Although, I really loved those things.
I love all things figs….. except for those packaged cookies 😉 lovely cake Monet! oxox
I have to confess… I’ve never really been a fan of Fig Newtons… But real fresh figs are a whole other story. I’ve been topping my salads with pan seared caramelized figs and crisp pancetta lately… trying to savor this time of the year when figs are plentiful. I have a whole box of figs in my fridge right now… thanks for the wonderful inspiration. This roasted fig sauce sounds like it could be lovely on just about anything… not just cake.
And I just had to ask… what is “Ryan’s Pour Over Coffee?”
This is one of my favorite cakes! Looks positively delightful <3
Figs and cake sound like such an excellent thing to eat with big mugs of tea on a rainy early fall afternoon! I myself got a bunch of very sticky fallen fig guts all over my shoes while picking figs yesterday, and I don’t even care. It was so worth it.
I love my figs, so I’m in love with this cake! Delicious, Monet.
This sounds like a simple but absolutely delicious dessert.
Fig cake is new to me, but it looks and sounds delicious, Monet! Thanks for the recipe!
There is nothing like the taste and texture of baked figs- I love them. This looks really lovely, thanks for sharing.
Love love this cake Monet! I really don’t use fresh figs enough in my kitchen. This is so pretty with them all piled on top and I bet it is amazing with ice cream!
I love picking up figs from the farmer’s market.
I have always wanted to try baking with figs, but my dad is the only one I know who likes them! Maybe in baked goods people will change their opinion on it. This looks great!
I adore figs also…they are my favorite part of the end of summer! What a lovely simple cake. Really lets the figs shine.
I have a fig tree in my back yard and once a year it produces hundreds of figs. I have grown to really enjoy figs. You have provided a beautiful recipe that really puts fresh figs to creative use. Love it.
Velva
Love figs! The cake looks divine, Monet.
I have fallen in love with fresh figs too. I made a fig and balsamic sauce a few weeks ago when figs were on sale and it was so good with fish and steak. You are so right that my first time eating figs was in those cookies. Now, I often eat dried figs.
Love this pretty cake Monet! I’ve never baked with figs before but definitely want to now! This delicious cake sounds like a great recipe to start with.
What a creative cake! I’m in awe of the flavor and how delicious it looks. Such a wonderful recipe!
Such a lovely cake. I have some fresh figs in my refrigerator right now that are making me feel guilty for not figuring out a way to use them yet. Maybe your cake will be their destiny. ; )
Yum! I love figs, and I love your cake stand 🙂
What a gorgeous cake! I haven’t had too much figs in my life but now I really want a piece of this cake!
What a lovely cake Monet! You’ve reminded me that I need to take advantage of fig season before it is too late!
This cake is absolutely stunning Monet, what a great use for figs!
This roasted fig cake looks amazing, Monet! Love the combination of flavours! Definitely a recipe to try out!
Figs are just amazing .. I love fig anything.. The cake looks incredible!! Love it! 😀
Embarrassing to admit this but I have never had fresh figs. Always in the delicious biscuits and the dried version which I love. Maybe I should go out of my way and get some, they look very inviting on top of that cake.
I had my first fresh fig a few months ago and they really are a sexy fruit! I haven’t cooked with them very much, but I love the idea of roasted them and pairing them with a cake! I bet it is much better than those fig newtons that we ate as kids 🙂
I adore figs so I have no doubt that I would inhale this cake. It’s gorgeous, Monet. Simple yet flavourful, rustic and comforting.
I’ve never had a fresh fig, but I’ve always loved their processed cookie cousins. You make them sound so delicious, I’ll have to keep an eye out. I don’t know how I’ve never seen them before!