DessertCat
Fig Newtons

Fig Newtons — fig-paste filled biscuits

Fig Newtons are American shortbread-pastry biscuits filled with a thick fig-jam centre. The pastry is wrapped around a rope of fig paste; the log is then sliced into individual rectangles. They have been one of the best-loved American supermarket biscuits since 1891.

i. Origin & history

Fig Newtons were invented in 1891 by Charles Roser in Cambridgeport, Massachusetts, who sold the recipe to the Kennedy Biscuit Works. The name reportedly comes from Newton, Massachusetts, a nearby town. They are now a global Nabisco brand.

ii. Ingredients

Makes 24 servings · scroll the side panel to adjust

  • 500 g dried figs, stems removed
  • 250 ml water
  • 100 g sugar
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 300 g plain flour
  • 100 g sugar
  • Pinch salt
  • 150 g unsalted butter, cold
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 tbsp milk

iii. Method

  1. Simmer figs with water, sugar, lemon juice and orange zest 20 min until softened. Cool. Blend to a thick paste.
  2. Make pastry: rub butter into flour, sugar and salt. Mix in egg, vanilla and milk to a soft dough. Chill 1 hour.
  3. Roll out dough into a 30 × 20 cm rectangle. Pipe fig paste along the centre lengthwise.
  4. Fold both long sides over the filling; press to seal. Turn seam-down.
  5. Bake at 180 °C for 20-25 min until pale golden. Cool. Slice into rectangles.

iv. Tips & common mistakes

  • Use the freshest ingredients you can. The recipe relies on them.
  • Read the method through first. Several steps must be ready in advance.
  • Season patiently. Sweetness and salt are tuned at the end, not the start.

v. Variations

Apricot Newtons, raspberry Newtons, strawberry Newtons are commercial variants. Maamoul is the close cousin from the Levant.

vi. Common questions

What is fig newtons?

Fig Newtons is fig-paste filled biscuits, from north american cuisine. The pastry is wrapped around a rope of fig paste; the log is then sliced into individual rectangles

Where is fig newtons from?

Fig Newtons is from the north american dessert tradition; the recipe and history are detailed above.

How long does fig newtons keep?

See the storage note in the Quick facts panel: 2 weeks airtight.

vii. More from North American