If you’ve ever tried fig bread, you know it’s more than just a loaf. It’s a deliciously unique treat that straddles the line between bread and cake. Imagine sinking your teeth into a moist, spiced slice filled with the sweetness of fresh figs and the crunch of walnuts.
It’s the perfect accompaniment to your morning coffee or a delightful dessert after dinner.

What makes this fig bread special is its warm blend of spices. Think pumpkin spice, ginger, and cinnamon—that adds a cozy flavor profile, making it ideal for any season. While fresh figs are a dream in this recipe, you can easily swap them out for frozen ones if that’s what you have on hand. Just remember to thaw and drain them first to keep the batter from getting too watery.

Pro Tips for Perfect Fig Bread

1. Toss Walnuts in Flour: Before folding walnuts into the batter, toss them in a bit of flour. This helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom while baking.
2. Cut Figs into Larger Pieces: For the best texture, cut fresh figs into larger chunks. This way, they’ll hold their shape and add delightful bursts of sweetness in every slice.
3. Use Fresh or Frozen Figs: Fresh figs provide the best flavor, but if they’re out of season, frozen figs work just as well. Just be sure to thaw and drain them to avoid excess moisture in the batter.
4. Don’t Overmix: When combining wet and dry ingredients, mix just until everything is incorporated. Overmixing can lead to a dense loaf.
5. Check for Doneness: Baking times can vary, so keep an eye on your bread. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean when it’s done.

Now that you’re ready to dive into this deliciously spiced fig bread, let’s get to the recipe!

Spiced Fig Bread

Ingredients

500ml Flour, All purpose
315ml Sugar, Light Brown
5ml Baking Soda
5ml Baking Powder
10ml Pumpkin Spice
2.5ml Ginger, ground
2.5ml Cinnamon, ground
Pinch Salt
125ml Butter, Soften to room temperature
125ml Buttermilk, Room temperature
3 Eggs, Large
5ml Vanilla essence
250ml Figs, Stems removed and Chopped large chunks
125ml Walnuts, Chopped in smaller chunks

Directions

Start by pre-heating your oven to 165°C. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal, set it aside for later.

In a bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pumpkin spice, ginger, and cinnamon). Next stir in the chopped walnuts and set the mixture aside.

In a separate bowl whisk together the butter, buttermilk, eggs and vanilla essence.
Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients but take care not to overmix the batter. Fold in the figs.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Allow the fig bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack.
Once cooled, slice and enjoy your delicious creation!

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