Fig Cake

I started making this fig cake when I had an oversupply of fig preserves in my pantry. The jewel filled jars of this sweet fruit came mostly from visits with Momma. It seems we couldn’t leave empty-handed. Then I remembered a spicy, moist cake from my childhood.

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I rediscovered how this cake fits the bill when needing a sweet something. The fig cake can be quickly prepared to take to church, bring to a friend, or baked ahead for some weekend company. It can be made into a simple bundt style or baked in layers and frosted. It’s one of those cakes that stays moist and gets better with time. Adding fruit does that to most baked goods.

I’ll never forget the first time I served this cake to some of my Arkansas friends. They refused to eat it and in fact, grimaced when I told them it was baked with figs. Eventually, they decided to give it a try and after one bite of witnessing its goodness, they instantly became fans.

Fig Facts

I’m still amazed at how many people aren’t familiar with the fig so here are some interesting facts I’ve discovered about this sweet southern fruit.

• The little seeds found inside the fig were once hundreds of blossoms when the fig first formed. 
• Figs are pollinated by a tiny wasp a couple of millimeters long. God made this wasp just for that purpose needing each other for survival. Amazing!
• Fig puree’ can be substituted for fat in recipes.
• The Fig Newton Cookie made its intro in 1891.
• The early Olympic athletes received fig laurels as medals.
• A cup of figs contains the same amount of calcium as a cup of milk.
• Because of their high fiber content they can be helpful in weight management. (You like that one, I know. Me too!)
• The potassium contained in figs can help control high blood pressure.
• The fig leaves are edible and full of healthy benefits, themselves.

Simple Fig Cake Beauty

You can bake this cake in a simple bundt pan and dress it up with a glaze or bake it in layers to fill with a creamy frosting. Either way, it makes a beautiful presentation.

My older grandchildren are finally at the age where they are showing interest in helping in the kitchen. Here is Kathryn.

While experimenting with this fig cake, she was learning how to measure. It’s a fun teaching tool for them, and I like their company.  

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“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

Dr. Seuss

My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you’ve been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You’re deeply rooted in him. You’re well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you’ve been taught. School’s out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving.        

Colossians 2:6-7 The Message