NATIONAL COOKIE MONTH
October is National Cookie Month and I’m teaming up with a great group of Bloggers to celebrate cookies! Each blogger is unique in the style they bring to the table so this should be fun.
Each week we will present fabulous cookie recipes along with tips, tricks and great ideas to make amazing cookies. The holidays are just around the corner so follow along this month and get ahead of the game. Organize, plan and put a few cookies in the freezer. Then sit back and relax when everyone else is stressed out and a bit crazy. Wouldn’t that be nice!
FAMILY FAVORITES: HOMEMADE FIG NEWTONS BAKE-OFF
I received free products for writing this post. As always the opinions are entirely my own.
This week I took up the challenge with my fellow Cookie Month 14 bloggers to share our family favorite cookie. Since Bob’s Red Mill generously provided me with some 100% Stone Ground Organic Whole Wheat Flour and Gluten Free 1 to 1 baking flour I thought it would be a great opportunity to do a little bake-off with one of my favorite cookies. Here in my home the homemade Fig Newton is king! I’m not talking about the hard, dry cookies you buy in the store either. It’s homemade baby and I can assure you, there is no comparison!
So I set about gathering up all my ingredients; when making a good cookie only the finest ingredients will do. Quality flour, unsalted butter, sea salt, baking powder, soda, black mission figs and my two secret (okay, not anymore) ingredients… fresh ground black pepper and cardamom.
Just a quick note about Cardamom
Commercial over, back to the cookies…I have never used a GF baking mix before, so I was excited to try it. Bob’s Red Mill premise is that Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour can be used as a substitute for whole wheat, no need to add or subtract a thing, So that’s what I did and the results were better than I even expected.
Making a homemade fig newton takes time no matter what kind you make. The results are definitely worth the effort, but I don’t want to mislead you. Start early when making these delicious cookies because the dough has to be chilled; there is no way around it. Also when patting out the dough prior to chilling and rolling the dough after chilling it is sticky. Patience is required. When you’re in the midst of playing with the dough, try to remember how tender and soft these cookies will be. Take it by faith and it will help. Trust me, would I steer you wrong?
Here is what I discovered during this bake-off.
- Both types of cookie dough tasted amazing. I didn’t mind the stickiness so much when I could lick my fingers!
- The gluten free dough was easier to work with when patting it out prior to the deep chill.
- The whole wheat dough was more pliable than the gluten free dough after the deep chill. The Gluten free tended to crack easier making more work because I had to go slower.
- The whole wheat fig newton had a smoother surface after baking than the Gluten free version did.
I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised when I tasted the Whole Wheat and the Gluten Free side by side. Both cookies were delicious but the Gluten Free version was my definite favorite. I don’t envision we will have a problem eating either of these family favorites though. A big thanks to Bob’s Red Mill and India Tree for helping me out with the exceptional ingredients to make these great cookies!
Click here for the Whole Wheat Fig Newton Recipe.
Click here for the Gluten Free Fig Newton Recipe.
Be sure to head over to Bob’s Red Mill today for their $1.00 off coupon and stock up while your at it on some very fine products. Here’s a link if you want to take advantage of a little savings. Coupon Offer
Another great resource for making Designer Cookies this Holiday Season.
I Love these designer cookies from Craftsy my affiliate link. Sign up free to Craftsy for great ideas, cooking classes and everything crafty. This resource is wonderful!
Sign up here and enter a Craftsy give-a-way for a baking set too! Click here.
Be sure to check out my cookie month partners and their amazing recipes and tips for you this week.
-
Sheila at Life, Love, and Good Food - Tessa at Homestead Lady
- Chris at Joybilee Farm
- Angi at Schneiderpeeps
- Wendy at The Monday Box
- Kathie at Homespun Seasonal Living
- Tessa at Homestead Lady
- Wendy at The Monday Box
- Lauren at Wicked Spatula
- Jess at The 104 Homestead
- Nikki at Nik Snacks
The following companies generously sponsored various cookie month projects. I may not have used all of them in my recipes, but this project is in no small part thanks to them and their incredible contributions: Bob’s Red Mill, The Daily Meal, India Tree, KerryGold, King Arthur Flour, Product of GIR, KaTom, SunButter & Wilton.
Homemade Fig Newtons shared with:
Lambert’s Lately: Create it Thursday *Sweet Haute *Kneaded Creations: Tuesdays with a Twist *Living Well and spending Less: Thrifty Thursday *Recipes for our Daily Bread: Let’s Get Real *Kitchen Dreaming: The Weekend Social *Happy and Blessed Home: Family Fun Fridays *Lil Suburban Homestead: Farm Blog Hop *Natasha in Oz: Say G’day *Snippets of Inspiration: Weekend Wind-Down *3 Little Greenwoods:Show me Saturday *New Mama Diaries: Creative Style Link-up *2 Crochet Hooks: Snickerdoodle Sunday *My Creative Days: Happiness is Homemade *Houseologie: Link it or Lump it *Create with Joy: Inspire Me Monday *The Squishable Baby: Monday for Mom’s *The Lady Prefers to Save: Merry Monday *The Blissful Bee: Work It Wednesday
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received product for free specifically for the Cookie Month 14 Campaign. I was not required to write a positive review. Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I saw this link on Joanne’s What’s on the List and had to come over. We don’t have commercial fig newtons in Australia and my little American heart would love one. For old times’ sake, right? Thanks for sharing.
Fig newtons are one of my favorite cookies, but I never thought to try to make it on my own. It still looks a little intimidating, but I may give this a try. Thanks for sharing on Merry Monday.
And I KNOW these are far and away better than those packaged cookies. Thanks for linking up to Show Me Saturday. Hope to see you there again this week!
Ginger recently posted…Fall Cash Giveaway {2 $300 Prizes}
Yes, they are! Always a pleasure linking up at your party.
yum!! I love all the healthful ingredients you used in these. I would love to try this recipe…
Thanks Emily.
My dad LOVES fig newtons! He would think the homemade version is really cool! What a great recipe 🙂
Nicole recently posted…What Women Really Want
Thanks Nicole, they were fun to make.
Looks SO good! Pinning this. 🙂
Britni recently posted…Super Superhero Party
Thank you, I appreciate you sharing! Have a great week.
October is also National Pasta Month! Which logically means we should eat cookies and pasta all month long, right? All kidding aside, these look pretty amazing!
Jessica (Savory Experiments) recently posted…Night at the Yards to Benefit Living Classrooms
I like the sound of that. 🙂
I have always wondered how to make homemade fig newtons. Thank you for sharing the recipes . I need to try them when I get figs from my neighbor again! Have a lovely week! Kim @ This Ole Mom
Kim @ This Ole Mom recently posted…Minted Review and Giveaway
I would love to have fresh figs. Lucky you!
NICE!!! Mr. Seasongoods is a Fig Newton JUNKIE so I might have to give this a go!! Thank you- as always- for linking up at Snickerdoodle Sunday!!
Sarah (Sadie Seasongoods)
Sarah R. recently posted…Snickerdoodle Sunday Link Party #50
Always a pleasure. Thanks for coming by.
These look yummy, I just wanted to let you know that I will be featuring these on the next Tuesday with a Twist on my blog, please come by for a peek.
Thank you! I’ll be looking forward to it!
Your fig newtons look truly delicious and I am genuinely excited to find a 1-1 gluten free baking flour! Heading to the site to check it out now! I wonder if my local health food store carries it.
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life recently posted…All Things Fall Y’All Blog Hop & Giveaway
The baking flour is still relatively new. It may take a little time to make it to the shelves.
G’day Thx for sharing at our party! This is now on my list to do!
Cheers! Joanne Pinned
Love your party!
Always a challenge remaking a classic, but well done these homemade fig newtons look great!
Lori Who Needs A Cape? recently posted…Frostys For Families
Thank you Lori. I appreciate the kind words!
What an idea, making your own fig newtons! Pinning to check out later!
Jenny.U recently posted…Chicken, Corn and Potato Chowder
Thanks Jenny. They are a labor of love, but so worth it.
These look chewy, sweet and delicious, Shari! Fig Newtons are a favorite of my husband. I think it is the fig jam center that he loves. Its the soft cakey outside that I love! These are definitely a labor of love, but the “freshness difference” makes it more that worth the time investment! Its great to have a stock of gluten free recipes that work!
Wendy recently posted…Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pillow Cookies
Definitely a labor of love but they are worth it. I sigh when the last one is gone.
Shari, these look fabulous and I’m sure taste even better than they look. Definitely want to try the whole wheat version! Saw these little gems at Foodie Friday Link Party!
Christy recently posted…Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake Bars
Thanks Christy. I loved both versions and am now inspired to try my hand at a few more Gluten Free recipes. Bob’s Red Mill has made it so easy.
I love figs and these really looks DELICIOUS !!
Winnie recently posted…עוגת דבש עם חמאת בוטנים
Thanks Winnie, coming from you I take that as a big compliment!
Fig Newtons have been one of my favourite cookies … I didn’t think I would ever eat one again after going GF!
Thanks for the great cookie recipe … I will be trying this week!
I am glad we connected! I am not gluten free but I have many friends who are. The Gluten Free version using Bob’s Red Mill 1-to 1- Baking flour was an easy conversion and I liked them better than my regular fig newtons. I hope you enjoy them!
Blessings,
Shari
Shari, these look amazing, delish, moist, tender and I WANT one NOW! I’m seriously craving a batch of these babies. Your photography is beautiful and brought out the brilliant purple of the filling – good job! Carrie, A Mother’s Shadow
Thank you Carrie. Photography is always an adventure for me. 100’s of pictures for one good shot. I am always flying by the seat of my pants. 🙂 Just the way I like it!
These look amazing and no doubt so much better then the packaged ones!!! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!! And that Bobs Red Mill…. the only flours, etc I use! Love their products!
Angela recently posted…The Wednesday Roundup Week 47 :: A Link Party
Bob’s Red Mill does have great products! The Gluten Free 1- to-1 baking flour is awesome!
i love fig newtons, cool I can make my own 🙂 They are the perfect snack to tide me over ’till dinner!
Kristina and Millie recently posted…Millie’s 15 Wishes List
I am afraid I snack on them morning, noon and night. Sigh, at least i’ll go happy!
Shari,
These homemade Fig Newtons look super moist. I love all cookies and would definitely enjoy these.
Sharing!
Blessings,
Diane Roark
Thanks Diane. Hooray for cookies! These were a lot of fun to make!
I’m not a huge fan of the packaged newtons but these, well, these I would eat. I love that you don’t have to be a math whiz to figure out the correct amount of flour. I don’t cook GF often but sometimes I’m left scratching my head
christine recently posted…The Wednesday Roundup Week 46
I do appreciate the ease of Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 baking flour. I didn’t have to think about it all. Just measure and go. It was simple and the results were great. I will definitely be using it again.
Never would have thought to make my own fig newtons, but your recipe looks absolutely divine and huge thank you for sharing. Pinned and would love try when I have some extra time now 🙂
Janine Huldie recently posted…Her Latest Artwork Revisited Wonderful Wednesday Style….
I love this recipe and fig newtons are definitely a favorite around here.