Get ready for a delicious treat with our Orange Fig Bars! Made from orange cake mix and fig preserves, these bars feature a delightful glaze drizzle for added sweetness. Easy to make and bursting with flavor, they will be a hit with everyone!
Love figs? Try my Grilled Cheese with Fig Jam!
Why You’ll Love Orange Fig Bars
- Mouthwatering Flavor Combo: You’ll fall in love with the zesty orange kick mingling with the sweet fig goodness in every bite.
- No-Fuss Prep: Forget about complicated recipes! With this one, you simply mix, bake, and enjoy. It’s perfect for those days when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Snack or Dessert, Your Call: Whether you’re craving a little pick-me-up during the day or need a satisfying dessert after dinner, these bars have you covered. They’re versatile and oh-so-delicious!
- Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser: Watch these bars disappear faster than you can say “yum!” They’re soft, gooey, and that glaze on top? It’s the icing on the cake that makes everyone come back for seconds (and maybe thirds)!
Ingredients
- Orange cake mix: The orange cake mix serves as the base for the bars, providing structure, flavor, and citrus taste to the recipe.
- Fig preserves: Fig preserves add a natural sweetness and depth of flavor to the bars. They also provide moisture and texture, creating pockets of figgy goodness throughout the bars.
- Vegetable oil: Vegetable oil adds moisture and tenderness to the bars.
- Egg: Eggs act as a binding agent in the recipe, helping to hold the ingredients together and providing structure to the bars. They also contribute to the texture and help to achieve a light and fluffy consistency.
- Powdered sugar: Powdered sugar makes the glaze drizzle that tops the bars. It adds sweetness and creates a smooth, glossy finish.
Directions
Step 1: Combine all wet ingredients.
Step 2: Slowly add cake mix into wet ingredients until thoroughly combined.
Step 3: Pour into prepared 8×11-inch baking pan. Either line with parchment paper or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
Step 4: Bake 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool completely, then cut into bars.
Step 5: Whisk powdered sugar with water (or orange juice) and drizzle over the top of the cooled bars. Garnish with fresh orange zest, if desired.
Helpful Tips
- Love Walnuts? Sprinkle chopped walnuts on the wet glaze or incorporate them into the batter before baking. Personally, I prefer to sprinkle them on top since I’m not fond of finding nuts unexpectedly in the middle of my treats. I like to see the nuts and anticipate their crunch.
- Allow the Bars to Cool: After baking, give the Orange Fig Bars some time to cool completely before cutting into them. This helps the bars set properly and maintain their shape when sliced.
- Use Parchment Paper: Line your baking pan with parchment paper before pouring in the batter. This makes removing the bars from the pan easier and helps prevent sticking, saving you time and effort during cleanup.
- Adjust Glaze Consistency: If you prefer a thicker glaze, add more powdered sugar to achieve the desired consistency. For a thinner glaze, add an extra splash of orange juice or milk to the powdered sugar until it reaches your perfect consistency.
- Store Properly: Store any leftover Orange Fig Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If you need to store them longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze them for up to 3 months. Just make sure to wrap them tightly to prevent freezer burn.
Recipe FAQ
While fresh figs can be a delicious alternative, using fig preserves ensures a consistent flavor and texture throughout the bars. If you choose to use fresh figs, consider cooking them down into a jam-like consistency before incorporating them into the recipe.
Yes, you can experiment with different cake mix flavors if you prefer.
Absolutely! The glaze drizzle adds extra sweetness and visual appeal to the bars, but you can omit it if you prefer a less sweet or simpler version of the recipe.
Orange Fig Bars
Ingredients
- 1 box orange cake mix
- 10 oz fig preserves
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg
Orange Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons orange juice or milk adjust to desired consistency
- Optional: chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8×11-inch baking pan or line with parchment paper.
- Combine all wet ingredients. Slowly add cake mix into wet ingredients until thoroughly combined. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Drizzle with icing and sprinkle on walnuts or fresh orange zest if desired.
