Baked

Happy Monday! Hope your week's off to a good start.

I was flipping through an old Donna Hay magazine, and came across these Crushed Fig Friands. I'd forgotten all about them, fool that I am. These are delicious, perfect for a coffee break with friends...which I better arrange, as I've already eaten two by myself.

Crushed Fig Friands - makes 8

8oz/240g dried figs (I used mission figs)
3/4 cup orange juice
3/4 cup water
2 cups berry sugar (a.k.a. caster sugar)
4oz/125g unsalted butter, chopped
1 cup almond meal (finely ground almonds)
1 2/3 cup icing sugar, sifted
3/4 all purpose flour, sifted
1/2 teaspoon baking powder, sifted
5 egg whites

Make a small cut in the base of the figs, and tear them open slightly. Place in a saucepan over low heat with the orange juice, water and sugar. Stir to dissolve the sugar then increase the heat and boil for 15 minutes or until syrupy. Remove the figs from syrup and place on a rack to cool. Reserve the syrup.

 

Preheat oven to 355f/180c. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Set aside.
Place the almond meal, icing sugar, flour and baking powder in a bowl. Add egg whites and melted butter and whisk until smooth. Spoon into 8 well greased 1/2 cup capacity tins. Top figs and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden and springy to the touch, but moist in the centre. Serve with the warm orange syrup.