Favorite Fig Bread (Fig Cake) Recipe (2024)

Published: Updated: by Hilda Sterner | This post may contain affiliate links 155 Comments

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This moist, sweet, and flavorful homemade fig bread recipe is a fall favorite! Also known as fig cake, it's loaded with chunks of fresh figs, chopped walnuts, and is spiced with cardamom and cinnamon. If you have leftover figs, be sure to try my candied figs recipe as well!

Favorite Fig Bread (Fig Cake) Recipe (1)

This irresistible fig bread recipe is one of my most sought after recipes! Some of my friends refer to it as fig bread, while others call it fig cake. Whatever you call it, you'll agree that it's absolutely delicious!

Jump to:
  • 🧐 Why This Recipe Works
  • 🍞 Fig Bread Recipe Directions
  • 🤷🏻‍♀️ Recipe FAQs
  • 👩🏼‍🍳 Pro Tips
  • 🍽 More Quick Breads to Try
  • 🍓 Related Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

🧐 Why This Recipe Works

  • This fig cake recipe is one of the easiest recipes you'll ever make. No need to use a stand mixer, or use a bunch of bowls that leave you with a huge mess to clean up afterward.
  • Baking fig bread is as easy as mixing the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another. After that, pop it in the oven and enjoy the heavenly aroma!
  • The spices used in this bread really compliment each other and give it a unique taste that you'll be craving all year long.
  • Fig bread leftovers freeze well, and the fig bread retains its moist texture. This means you can enjoy your fig bread long after figs are not in season.

🔖 Ingredients & Substitutions

  • Figs: Fresh or frozen figs are preferred. If you absolutely can't get figs, you can rehydrate dried figs in hot water then squeeze out excess moisture. Another option is to use one 8 ounce jar of fig jam or fig preserves. If you do that, you may need to reduce the amount of sugar.
  • Flour: All-purpose flour or a combination of whole wheat flour and all purpose flour.
  • Sugar: Granulated sugar, or a combination of granulated sugar and brown sugar.
  • Spices: Ground cardamon, cinnamon powder, ground cloves, and freshly ground nutmeg. If you don't have all the spices, you can skip one or two of them but you want the bread to have a mixture of these warming spices.
  • Nuts: Either walnuts or pecans can be added. May leave out if you have nut allergies.

*A full list of ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the page!

🍞 Fig Bread Recipe Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Step 1: Mix dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon, and sea salt) in a large bowl until combined.

Favorite Fig Bread (Fig Cake) Recipe (2)
Favorite Fig Bread (Fig Cake) Recipe (3)

Step 2: Place the walnuts in a ziplock bag and pound with a mallet until crushed. Another option is to use a small food processor.

Favorite Fig Bread (Fig Cake) Recipe (4)
Favorite Fig Bread (Fig Cake) Recipe (5)

Step 3: Fold the walnuts in with the dry ingredients.

Favorite Fig Bread (Fig Cake) Recipe (6)
Favorite Fig Bread (Fig Cake) Recipe (7)

Pro Tip: Folding the walnuts into the flour coats them with flour and keeps them from sinking to the bottom of the fig bread.

Step 4: In a medium bowl, whisk the wet ingredients (oil, milk, eggs, and vanilla and chopped figs).

Favorite Fig Bread (Fig Cake) Recipe (8)
Favorite Fig Bread (Fig Cake) Recipe (9)

Step 5: Fold wet ingredients into the flour mixture and stir just until incorporated. Pour batter into prepared pan (greased and floured bundt pan, or two loaf pans).

Favorite Fig Bread (Fig Cake) Recipe (10)
Favorite Fig Bread (Fig Cake) Recipe (11)

Pro Tip: If using frozen figs, make sure they are defrosted and drained first so that you don't have excessive liquid in you fig bread, which would cause it to sink in the middle.

Favorite Fig Bread (Fig Cake) Recipe (12)

Step 6: Bake in the oven, on the middle rack, for approximately one hour for a bundt pan. If using loaf pans, bake for approximately 45 minutes or until golden brown.

Pro Tip: Since oven temperatures vary, test with a toothpick to make sure it's cooked all the way through.

Step 7: Cool the fig bread for approximately 10 minutes before removing it from the pan. Cool on wire racks completely before slicing it.

Favorite Fig Bread (Fig Cake) Recipe (13)

🤷🏻‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

Can you substitute unsalted butter for the oil in this fig bread recipe?

This recipe is very flexible and can be prepared with either oil or unsalted butter. Simply substitute an equal amount of melted and cooled butter for the amount of oil called for in this recipe.

What causes fig bread loaves to fall in the middle?

There are many reasons why baked goods fall in the middle. Some say it's because the oven door was open during the baking process, while others say the bread needs more flour.

I think one of the main reasons fig bread caves in the middle is due to the high liquid content. This is due to the amount of juice in the figs. This is especially the case if you use defrosted frozen figs, which is why I recommend straining the figs before using them. Try adding an additional ¼ cup of flour to increase the flour to liquid ratio.

Can you substitute dried figs for fresh figs to make fig bread or fig cake?

Although I highly recommend using fresh figs, I realize not everyone has access to fresh figs, and that they are only in season for a short time of the year.

To use dried figs in this recipe, start by rehydrating the dried figs. Cover the figs with boiling water for approximately 10 minutes. Next, drain and pat the figs dry before chopping and measuring out one cup to use in the recipe.

Can you use fig preserves to make fig bread/cake?

Yes you can, but you some adjustments need to be made to reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe. I recommend the following adjustments:

• Reduce the amount of sugar from 1-⅓ cups to 1 cup.
• Increase the amount of flour by ¼ of a cup.
• Decrease the amount of figs from 1 cup of fresh figs to ¾ cups of preserves.

Favorite Fig Bread (Fig Cake) Recipe (14)

👩🏼‍🍳 Pro Tips

  • The figs should be chopped coarsely instead of ground. We want big chunks of figs in the bread!
  • During fig season, I chop the figs and add them to small ziplock bags in one cup portions. I then keep them in the freezer to use throughout the year when I'm craving fig bread.
  • You can also make this fig bread recipe by replacing one of the eggs with half of a ripe banana. It makes an even moister cake/bread.
  • If you have beautiful, fresh figs, you can you can decorate the top of the bread with sliced figs.
  • Store the fig bread in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage.
Favorite Fig Bread (Fig Cake) Recipe (15)

🍽 More Quick Breads to Try

  • moist pumpkin bread
  • huckleberry banana bread
  • persimmon bread with cream cheese frosting

If you enjoyed this fig bread recipe, be sure to check out these other fig recipes too!

  • Strawberry Fig Preserves
  • Homemade Fig Newtons
  • Cardamom Fig Scones
  • Gourmet Pizza Recipe (with figs and goat cheese)

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

Stay in touch with me through social media@ Instagram,Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook. Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

📖 Recipe

Favorite Fig Bread (Fig Cake) Recipe (20)

Favorite Fig Bread (Fig Cake) Recipe

Deliciously moist and decadent fig bread, with all the flavors of Fall!

4.74 from 280 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour

Servings: 12 slices

Calories: 198kcal

Author: Hilda Sterner

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
  • 1⅓ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 3 large eggs (beaten)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup fresh figs (chopped)
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)
  • 1 tablespoon softened butter (for greasing the pan)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

  • Mix dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon, and sea salt) in a large bowl until combined.

  • Place the walnuts in a ziplock bag and pound with a mallet until crushed. Another option is to use a small food processor.Fold the walnuts in with the dry ingredients.

  • In a medium bowl, whisk the wet ingredients (oil, milk, eggs, and vanilla and chopped figs).

  • Fold wet ingredients into the flour mixture and stir just until incorporated. Pour batter into a greased and floured bundt pan, or two loaf pans.

  • Bake in the oven, on the middle rack, for approximately one hour for a bundt pan. If using loaf pans, bake for approximately 45 minutes or until golden brown.

  • Cool the fig bread for approximately 10 minutes before removing it from the pan. Cool on wire racks completely before slicing it.

Notes

  • If using frozen figs, make sure they are defrosted and drained first so that you don't have excessive liquid in you fig bread, which would cause it to sink in the middle.
  • Folding the walnuts into the flour coats them with flour and keeps them from sinking to the bottom of the fig bread.
  • The figs should be chopped coarsely. You want big chunks of figs in the bread.
  • Since oven temperatures vary, test with a toothpick to make sure it's cooked all the way through.
  • During fig season, I chop the figs and add them to small ziplock bags in one cup portions. I then keep them in the freezer to use throughout the year when I'm craving fig bread.
  • You can also make this bread by replacing one of the eggs with half of a ripe banana. It makes an even moister cake/bread.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 198kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 163mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 23g

Tried this Recipe? Please leave A Star Rating!Mention @HildasKitchenBlog or tag #HildasKitchenBlog!

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

  1. Heather says

    Favorite Fig Bread (Fig Cake) Recipe (21)
    I made a double batch today. I used half of the sugar and had dried diced figs so I soaked them in half cointreau and half water for a hour. I also incorporated 1/4 cup of the water/cointreau mix and reduced the milk. This recipe is so excellent. This recipe will never disappoint anyone.

    Reply

    • Hilda Sterner says

      Hi Heather, I love the changes you made and am glad it still turned out great. Thank you for the review!

      Reply

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Favorite Fig Bread (Fig Cake) Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What fruit pairs well with figs? ›

Apple, blackberry, blood orange, elderberry, honeydew, nectarine, orange, peach, pear, persimmon, raspberry, spinach, tamarind. Almonds, basil, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, hazelnuts, mint, rosemary, thyme, vanilla, walnuts.

What cheese goes with figs? ›

Avoid Figs that are hard and chalky since they will never be good or syrupy like the ripe and soft ones. Figs go with every type of Cheese – no matter if they are fresh, dried, in a jam or braised! It is very popular to serve figs with blue cheese but since I am not a big fan of blue cheese I chose Manchego instead.

Do you peel figs before baking? ›

Fresh figs are delicate and rot quickly so I do store mine in the refrigerator to keep them longer. There's no need to peel fresh figs or cook them first, they'll bake beautifully in the oven. If you have whole frozen figs you can use those too, just defrost them first so they are easier to slice.

Which fig is best, dry or wet? ›

Fresh or dried figs? Choosing dried or fresh figs depends on a person's tastes, preferences, and circ*mstances. Dried figs contain more calories, sugar, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals than fresh figs. Fresh figs will have more vitamin C, vitamin A, and beta-carotene.

What are the pros and cons of eating figs? ›

Along with the fruit, fig leaves and fig leaf tea appear to be beneficial for health. Dried figs in particular may help relieve constipation. However, figs may interfere with blood thinning medications due to their vitamin K content, and dried figs should be eaten in moderation due to their high sugar content.

How many figs should you eat at a time? ›

When it comes to raw fruit, you can easily have 2-3 figs in a day. If you are having dried figs, stick to 3 figs and do not have them without soaking overnight. Our body can absorb the nutrients and digest some dried fruits and nuts in a better way when they are soaked well.

How to eat figs to reduce weight? ›

The benefits of figs that have been soaked in water over night are numerous. Fruit consumption, including dried fruit, has also been linked to a reduction in body weight. One piece of fig contains only 47 calories and 0.4-gram fat. Therefore, soaked anjeer or figs are a great option for weight loss.

Are figs good for men's health? ›

Figs benefits for male sexual health as they are packed with essential minerals such as zinc and magnesium, and they play a crucial role in supporting reproductive functions, including sperm production and fertility. Furthermore, the amino acids found in figs contribute to increased libido and enhanced sexual stamina.

Why do Italians love figs? ›

Menniti says this love of fig trees comes from reverence for a historical means of survival. For agricultural people in Southern Italy, a fig tree offered a source of fruit that could be dried and kept for lean times. The trees also became a symbol of adaptation.

Why put baking soda on figs? ›

Sprinkle the baking soda over the figs; cover with the 12 cups of boiling water. Soak for 45 minutes to 1 hour. This helps remove any latex from the skin of any slightly under-ripe figs.

Why do you soak figs in water? ›

Soaking figs in water makes them softer and easier to digest. It also helps release the nutrients present in figs.

Which figs are best for baking? ›

Appearance: Kadota figs have a skin that ranges from bright green to light amber and an interior that ranges from pink to light brown. Flavor: These figs are less sweet than other varieties, making them well-suited to baking or turning into jam.

Does fig increase blood pressure? ›

Figs are a good source of potassium which helps lower blood pressure naturally. Therefore, people with high blood pressure are often advised to increase their potassium intake. As you know consuming too much salt increases your blood pressure. Potassium restricts the ill effects of salt.

How to use figs for erectile dysfunction? ›

Because figs are high in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, they provide a sudden burst of energy or stamina, aiding in the prevention of issues, such as erectile dysfunction and a lack of stamina during intercourse. Figs are best consumed after being soaked in milk overnight to treat sexual problems.

What is the most delicious fig? ›

The Best Tasting Fig Varieties
  • Black Madeira.
  • Coll de Dama.
  • Hivernenca.
  • Hative d'Argentueil.
  • Paradiso.
Jan 31, 2023

What complements figs? ›

Incorporate figs into a symphony of tastes and textures with sticky honey-glazed halloumi, peppery rocket, salty prosciutto and toasted almonds. The sweet flavour of figs pairs well with creamy mozzarella and bitter salad leaves like chicory, so why not get inventive with your own assemblage?

What does fig blend well with? ›

Woody accords: Fig pairs well with woody notes such as sandalwood, cedar or patchouli, adding warmth and depth to the fragrance. Floral accords: Delicate floral notes such as jasmine, rose or lily of the valley can complement fig's fruity sweetness, adding a subtle floral dimension.

What is a good companion plant for figs? ›

Companion Plants:
Good
Beans (Pole)Nasturtiums
BlackberriesPeas
ChamomileRosemary
ChivesSage
8 more rows

Can I eat fig and orange together? ›

Though it's not uncommon to find these ingredients featured separately on seasonal tasting menus, figs and oranges actually share a number of aromas that make them great to pair in more than just sweet desserts.

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