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Figs for Fall: Vanilla Bean Fig Cupcakes with Orange Blossom Honey Frosting

Aug 29 by Anita 30 Comments

Vanillafigcupcakeint

No, I know it's not fall yet, but it's hard to believe it's already the end of August and the waning of the year is just around the corner. Labor Day holiday, especially, snuck up on me this time: I'm definitely not ready to celebrate summer's last hurrah just yet.

Fortunately for us San Francisco residents, Mother Nature balances out the wintry cold summers she bestows on us with a shimmering, balmy Indian summer that usually happens sometime in September and can often last into November. Never let it be said we don't have seasons out here on the West Coast – they're just a little different than seasons elsewhere!

Along with a few more golden weeks to ease the pain of passing summer, we've also got figs – figs at their most lovely and voluptuous peak.

I'll admit I wasn't a natural-born fig lover. Like many children, I was drawn to the straightforward, simple fruits: the sturdy, crisp crunch of an apple, the crayon-red color of strawberries, the comforting roundness of an orange. Those firm-fleshed, cleanly sweet fruits, pears and cherries and peaches, were reassuring in their distinctive shapes and feels. I had a fear of squishy: soft meant unripe, or overripe, or yucky and sticky. Persimmons, longans, figs – they all fell outside my fruit "comfort zone" and were thus resolutely ignored.

Well, thank goodness for growing up and learning to give things a second chance. I'm happy to say that I managed to outgrew childish prejudices and view foods both old and new with a an unjaded eye and open mouth. Most foods, at least…I'm still working on durian…

Figs are very interesting to me. They aren't an easy fruit to love, and what I mean by that is they're not simple. You don't just pop figs in your mouth like grapes. When I eat a fig, I look at it resting in the fruit bowl, cupped in the palm of my hand, suspended from my fingers in midair. I study its asymmetrical, pendulous shape, its slightly wrinkled, aubergine or verdant skin, its velvety, sinuous contours. It is fragrant, its ripe, intense scent filling the air. I put it to my lips, and bite through the just-barely resisting skin. The flesh beneath is dusky, rosy red; pulpy, soft as a whispered secret. There are little seeds scattered like stardust in the gleaming fruit, and as I bite through I hear little pops, feel the bursts of crunchiness in my mouth. The fig is sweet, yes, rich and honeyed, intensely fruity. Eating a fig is, and should be, a luxurious experience, as it demands the full attention of all your senses.

Like summer and all good things, figs should be enjoyed at their peak before they disappear: they are best eaten within a couple days of purchase as they should already be very ripe when you buy them. While eating them out of hand is an undeniable pleasure, baking with them has proven a happy challenge as well.

I'd been tweaking my basic vanilla cupcake recipe for a while, and the perfect opportunity presented itself: Vanilla Bean Cupcakes with Fresh Fig Filling and Orange Blossom Honey Frosting.

Vanillafigfilling

Figs make lovely jams, which are a perfect way to preserve their flavor for the rest of the year. This fig filling follows the same idea, cooking figs with sugar into a lovely thick puree, perfect for filling a cupcake or spreading on toast (Since it's not a true jam it obviously won't keep as long). I used brown sugar to enhance the deep, layered flavor of the figs, and because I often find that in many fig fillings the figs are overpowered by too much added white sugar. I used a mixture of Black Mission and Kadota figs in this filling, but any figs would work well – just adjust the sugar to your taste.

The vanilla cupcake is my latest iteration: light, fluffy, with a crisp sugary top. I used egg whites in the batter to let the vanilla flavor shine through, and also because it gives the cupcakes a lighter texture. They make a wonderful base for any number of frostings, and the well-behaved crumb lets you cut through it or cut out the top easily, as you can see.

Finally, I wanted the frosting to have honey in it, to harmonize with the figs. I settled on an orange blossom honey, mixed into a basic cream cheese frosting. I didn't want a buttercream because I was afraid it would be too overpoweringly sweet for the figs – although the cream cheese frosting meant I couldn't pipe it as decoratively as buttercream I think it was a good compromise. The tartness of the cream cheese helps cut through the sweet honey and combines well with the vanilla and fig to make a sweet little late-summer dessert.

I hope wherever you are, dear readers, that you enjoy a beautiful last weekend of August, and that you find time to eat a fig or two – like summer, they'll be gone before you know it.

Vanillafigcupcake

Vanilla Bean Cupcakes

Makes about 12 cupcakes

1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 egg plus 2 egg whites
1/2 cup whole milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.

Sift flour, salt, and baking powder into a bowl and set aside.

Beat butter and sugar in a stand mixer on medium speed until very light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Add in the egg and beat to combine. Add in the egg whites, one at a time, and beat to combine.

Combine milk and vanilla bean paste together in a cup.

Add the flour mixture and milk mixture to the batter in alternating additions, starting and ending with the flour. Once the last bit of flour has been added. beat just to combine – do not overbeat.

Divide batter among the muffin tins. Bake in the oven for about 15 to 20 minutes, until the tops are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool on wire rack.

 
Fresh Fig and Brown Sugar Filling

Makes about 3/4 cup

1 cup (about 8) fresh figs, washed and cut into small pieces

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 teaspoons lemon juice

Combine all the ingredients in a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes, until the mixture thickens. The figs should turn soft and mushy; mash them with a spoon. Remove from heat and let cool. If you don't like the little pieces of fig skin left, you can process the mixture quickly in a food processor, but I find it doesn't bother me; the chunks give the filling more texture and thickness.

Orange Blossom Honey Cream Cheese Frosting

makes about 1 cup

8 ounces cream cheese

2 ounces (1/2 stick) butter, room temperature

3/4 to 1 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted

1/4 cup orange blossom honey

Beat the cream cheese and butter in a stand mixer just until combined – do not overbeat.

Add in the sugar and honey and beat until combined. If it seems a little runny, add more confectioners' sugar but be sure to taste so you don't make the frosting too sweet.

Filed Under: Cakes, Fruit, Recipes

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Comments

  1. 1

    veron says

    Aug 29 at 11:14 am

    I admit to disliking figs at first. But the hubby, being obsessed with them, have since turned me into a fig-lover. I agree figs are fruits you don’t just pop in your mouth. They deserve some amount of reverence as you weigh them on the palm of your hands before you split them open to reveal its dark , jammy interior. great cupcake!

    Reply
  2. 2

    Nicisme says

    Aug 29 at 12:48 pm

    I only discovered that I liked figs last year and I know I would love these!

    Reply
  3. 3

    Rosa says

    Aug 29 at 1:41 pm

    Very interesting! Those cupcakes must be delicious! A refined combination of flavors!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
  4. 4

    Deborah says

    Aug 29 at 2:27 pm

    Although it’s still quite hot here, it’s starting to feel more like fall as I see some leaves changing! I can’t wait, I love fall. And these cupcakes – they look and sound amazing!

    Reply
  5. 5

    lauren says

    Aug 29 at 2:49 pm

    I’ve never attempted to eat a fresh fig before. My only experience with figs are Fig Newtons (yes, this is sad). But after reading your description about figs, I’m going to go out and purchase them!
    oh and like always, the desserts look wonderful!

    Reply
  6. 6

    peabody says

    Aug 29 at 3:23 pm

    So pretty…and a whole lot better than a fig newton!

    Reply
  7. 7

    RecipeGirl says

    Aug 29 at 6:26 pm

    That filling sounds woooooonderful!

    Reply
  8. 8

    galina says

    Aug 29 at 7:00 pm

    Here on East Coast figs are real luxury and your words capture my feelings about them in a perfect way. Nothing can compare to the taste of a fresh fig.

    Reply
  9. 9

    Christy says

    Aug 29 at 7:53 pm

    Yummy!! your description is making my mouth water! These are how cupcakes would look like if it gets a million dollar gourmet makeover! I’ll bet it was delicious too!!

    Reply
  10. 10

    Verena says

    Aug 29 at 9:37 pm

    Isn’t the crunch from fig seeds just addictive? Your fig jam sure looks yummy … and orange blossom honey too? Now you’re tempting me! 😛

    P.S. Hee, I can’t do durian either.

    Reply
  11. 11

    clumbsycookie says

    Aug 30 at 4:30 am

    Oh my! Great flavours, I love it. I just did a full week of figs recipes, that’s how I love them. I’m going link back here to this recipe, I hope you don’t mind! This is just great!

    Reply
  12. 12

    CookiePie says

    Aug 30 at 10:31 am

    Figs are one of my all-time favorite foods, and I love how you incorporated them into these beautiful cupcakes! They’re soooo pretty and sophisticated.

    Reply
  13. 13

    snooky doodle says

    Aug 31 at 3:07 am

    ha i just made some cupcakes with dried figs and honey too 🙂 and they were a fantastic combo. I like your recipe the filling looks really to die for. hmmm

    Reply
  14. 14

    diva says

    Aug 31 at 3:30 am

    aah. can’t wait for fall – my favourite season! these cupcakes are so lovely. the filling is just scrumptious.

    Reply
  15. 15

    zooey53 says

    Aug 31 at 8:40 am

    those look lovely!

    Reply
  16. 16

    Tarah says

    Aug 31 at 1:34 pm

    These look fabulous! I want to make these now!

    Reply
  17. 17

    Megan says

    Aug 31 at 9:07 pm

    these look so pretty and yummy. i think i’d enjoy one with a hot cup of coffee 🙂

    Reply
  18. 18

    My Sweet & Saucy says

    Sep 1 at 10:10 am

    I am loving this cupcake combo! Everything about it sounds dreamy and delicious! I also found myself completely agreeing with your description and thoughts on figs…very fun post to read!

    Reply
  19. 19

    Maggie says

    Sep 12 at 10:57 am

    Thank you for this wonderful recipe–I was looking for a fig desert recipe that was something other than figs with honey and brie… and I found it! These cupcakes were sooo delicious. Thanks!!

    Reply
  20. 20

    alicia says

    Jan 14 at 3:21 pm

    I just stumbled upon your recipe and have to say the cake part is delicious! (I tested one while the others cool) I’ve attempted home made a.k.a not from the box cake recipes before and none make the cut. Yours was faboo! Thanks!

    Reply
  21. 21

    Susan says

    Feb 5 at 1:06 pm

    Damn, but I love good Food-porn! You have a way with the written word.

    Reply
  22. 22

    sweetie pie says

    Mar 27 at 5:16 pm

    These look so wonderful! I’m planning to try the cupcake recipe this week and have 2 questions. Can I use vanilla beans instead of vanilla bean paste? Should I scrape out the vanilla beans and measure out 1 1/2 teaspoons? Also, do you think all whites eggs in a carton would work here, and how much, maybe 1/2 cup?
    Thanks so much! This is a lovely post.
    sonya

    Reply
  23. 23

    Anya Bella says

    May 8 at 10:50 pm

    Wonderful Recipe!
    I was wondering if I could take the Fig and Brown Sugar Filling and add it to some butter and confectioner’s sugar to make a buttercream? Do you think the frosting would have a terrible consistency or be too sweet? Thank You

    Reply
  24. 24

    Elle says

    Sep 1 at 10:54 am

    I just made these cupcakes as a trial run for a foodie friend’s birthday cake, and I wanted to let you know that they are one of the best things I’ve ever baked!

    I improvised on the filling a little, because I had a tough time finding fresh figs where I live. Instead, I took jarred Fig Preserves, to which I added a little bit of brown sugar and found that it did the trick. Also, I used 3/4 of a vanilla bean instead of the vanilla bean paste.

    I can’t wait to turn this into a layer cake this weekend 🙂

    Thanks again for a perfect recipe!

    Reply
  25. 25

    Angel from The Bay says

    Dec 10 at 7:58 am

    I stumbled upon your website in search for a delicious holiday recipe and I found you. I just wanted to say I love your captivating photography and your fascinating vocabulary/blogging. I just wanted to say Thank you, I appreciate you.
    Angel from The Bay

    Reply
    • 26

      Anita says

      Jan 1 at 10:38 pm

      Thank you for such a sweet note! I am so flattered that you enjoy my site and hope you return!

      Reply
  26. 27

    Maria says

    Oct 16 at 2:25 pm

    Made these cupcakes. They were delicious and beautiful to look at. I’d probably make the cupcake with a little more vanilla next time,. Other than that, perfect.
    I love figs and this was the perfect way to showcase them.
    Thank you Anita!

    Reply
    • 28

      Anita says

      Oct 28 at 8:50 pm

      Thanks for the feedback Maria! I’m so glad you enjoyed them!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Bean Blossom Photography | Quality Photos For You And Me says:
    Nov 2 at 11:23 am

    […] Figs for Fall: Vanilla Bean Fig Cupcakes with Orange … – These look so wonderful! I’m planning to try the cupcake recipe this week and have 2 questions. Can I use vanilla beans instead of vanilla bean paste? […]

    Reply
  2. 19 Gourmet Cupcakes Just in Time For Cupcake Day | Inklings and Tea says:
    Dec 15 at 9:05 am

    […] 15. Vanilla Bean Fig Cupcakes with Orange Blossom Honey Frosting […]

    Reply

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about pastrygirl

Anita Chu, also known as pastrygirl, is a baker, writer, and photographer with a passion for pastry. She trained at Tante Marie's Cooking School and is the author of Field Guide to Cookies, Field Guide to Candy, and Lollipop Love. Anita lives in San Francisco with her husband, daughter, and dog Max. More about pastrygirl

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