Orange Fig Bars

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon organic low glycemic agave syrup (for dough)
• 1/4 cup honey (for dough)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg (for dough)
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 12 ounces black mission figs, washed and stems removed
• 1 tablespoon organic orange rind, grated
• 2 tablespoons honey (for filling)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons organic low glycemic agave syrup (for filling)
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 4 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons organic low glycemic agave syrup

Directions

1. To prepare the dough, beat butter with a mixer until light and fluffy.
2. Add 1 tablespoon agave and blend well.
3. Add 1/4 cup honey, vanilla, and egg; blend well.
4. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in medium-sized bowl.
5. Add flour mixture to butter mixture just until moist; do not over mix.
6. Divide dough in half. Place each half into large zipper bag and form into approximate flat 9x9-inch square.
7. Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
8. To prepare the filling, place figs and orange rind into processor with metal blade; process until minced.
9. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons agave, 2 tablespoons honey, and orange juice; puree until smooth and thick.
10. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 9x9-inch ovenproof pan with parchment paper.
11. Place one square of dough onto parchment; with fingers, evenly cover bottom of pan with dough.
12. Spread fig mixture evenly over dough.
13. Lay second dough square on top of filling.
14. Whisk beaten egg and 2 tablespoons water.
15. Brush just enough egg mixture to evenly cover top of dough.
16. Bake until golden, about 30 minutes. While cooling on a rack, combine remaining 2 tablespoons water with 2 tablespoons agave.
17. Brush baked top with agave glaze.
18. Once completely cooled, transfer square to a cutting board and cut into bars using a heavy knife or pizza cutter. Store bars in an air-tight container in a single layer or with parchment paper between layers.