Description
Roasted figs with caramel sauce bring Mediterranean elegance to dessert tables. Ina Garten’s classic recipe combines sweet fruit and rich caramel, offering a simple yet luxurious finale for intimate gatherings you’ll savor completely.
Ingredients
Scale
- 24 to 30 large fresh black figs
- 1.5 cups (360 mL/12 fl oz) sugar
- 1.25 cups (300 mL/10 fl oz) heavy cream
- 6 tbsps (90 mL/3 fl oz) sliced almonds, toasted
- 0.5 tsp (2.5 mL/0.08 fl oz) pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Caramel Creation: Dissolve sugar and water in a medium saucepan over gentle heat, stirring occasionally until sugar completely melts.
- Caramelization Process: Increase heat to medium, allowing the mixture to boil without stirring. Watch carefully until the liquid transforms into a deep chestnut-brown color, indicating proper caramelization (around 350°F / 175°C).
- Cream Integration: Remove from heat and carefully pour heavy cream and vanilla extract, anticipating vigorous bubbling. Stir continuously over low heat until the sauce becomes smooth and uniform.
- Sauce Preparation: Let the caramel sauce cool completely for at least 4 hours, ensuring optimal consistency and flavor development.
- Fig Roasting Preparation: Preheat oven to 450°F / 230°C, positioning a wire rack on a sheet pan. Trim fig stems and halve the fruits lengthwise.
- Roasting Stage: Arrange fig halves cut-side up on the wire rack. Roast for 10 minutes, concentrating heat to intensify flavor and create a tender texture.
- Serving Finale: Gently reheat the caramel sauce. Transfer roasted figs to serving bowls, lavishly drizzle with caramel, and garnish with toasted almonds. Serve immediately to preserve warmth and aromatic essence.
Notes
- Caramel Precision: Monitor sugar transformation carefully, as overheating leads to bitter, burnt flavor; aim for chestnut-brown color at 350°F.
- Fig Selection Matters: Choose ripe, unblemished fresh figs with deep color and slight softness for optimal roasting results.
- Heat Control Technique: Preheat oven to exact temperature and use wire rack for even roasting, preventing soggy fig bottoms.
- Serving Strategy: Drizzle caramel sauce just before serving to maintain temperature and textural contrast between warm figs and silky sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 331
- Sugar: 56 g
- Sodium: 18 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 82 mg