Lemon-Frosted Spicy Fig Bars

Name: Lemon-Frosted Spicy Fig Bars
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 52 min
Yield: 36 bars
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar or 1/2 cup dark brown sugar; 1/2 cup molasses; 1/3 cup milk; 2 large eggs; 2 cups flour; 2 teaspoons cinnamon; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 3/4 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 2 cups dried figs, chopped (stems removed, 1 8 oz. package); 1/2 cup walnuts; 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar; 1/4 cup butter, softened; 1 teaspoon grated fresh lemon zest; 2 -3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Submitted by JamesDeansGirl

"Spicy and cake-like bars with a yummy lemon frosting. These are kind of like Sicilian Fig Cookies, just in a different form; if you like the cookies, you'll like these too."

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Ready In:: 52mins
Ingredients:: 16
Yields:: 36 bars

ingredients

BARS
¹⁄₂ cup butter, softened
¹⁄₂ cup packed light brown sugar or 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
¹⁄₂ cup molasses
¹⁄₃ cup milk
2 large eggs
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
³⁄₄ teaspoon baking soda
¹⁄₄ teaspoon salt
2 cups dried figs, chopped (stems removed, 1 8 oz. package)
¹⁄₂ cup walnuts
FROSTING
2 ¹⁄₂ cups powdered sugar
¹⁄₄ cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon grated fresh lemon zest
2 -3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

directions

Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream together the butter and brown sugar until creamy; scrape sides of bowl.
Add the molasses, milk, and eggs; blend until smooth and well combined.
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture until well blended, reducing the mixer speed to low for this addition.
Gently stir in the figs and walnuts by hand.
Spread the batter evenly into a greased 13x9" baking pan.
Bake for 22-27 minutes, or until a toothpick tests out clean.
Cool completely.
FROSTING: Combine all the frosting ingredients, except the lemon juice, in a small bowl.
Beat with an electric mixer on low speed, adding enough lemon juice to reach desired spreading consistency.
Frost the cooled bars; sprinkle with additional grated lemon zest, if desired.
Cut into bars.