Nabisco might have changed the packaging on their Fig Newtons, but this doesn’t change the fact that they’re still a cookie and cookies just aren’t the best thing for you, especially when the ingredients include partially hydrogenated oil [slowly destroying your stomach lining], preservatives, and high fructose corn syrup. Oh, to be a kid again when I wasn’t as aware and just ate for the taste.
And that’s the thing: Fig Newtons taste awesome. I love how chewy and buttery they are. I wanted to recreate the flavor without the guilt, and thought oatmeal would be the perfect “batter”-like base. After perusing some Newton recipes I found, not surprisingly, that Fig Newtons contain vanilla, butter, sugar, eggs – your cookie basics. Thankfully, extracts exist, including vanilla extract and even butter extract. The best part? “This product has no significant nutritional value.” Why yes, I did just find a way to make my oatmeal taste like a butter cookie without the calories and cholesterol.
This is a simpler breakfast recipe. Just toss the sliced, dried figs in a teaspoon of lemon extract and sugar [I used splenda, but brown sugar might be more authentic].
figgy.
hen, toss that into the oats. Done.
oh oatmeal, when will you look pretty?
The combination of the banana and the butter extract make the base taste like a cookie, and the tossed figs are reminiscent of a real Newton. It’s not a perfect match, but it’s a worthy substitute.
Deconstructed “Fig Newton” Oatmeal (Vegan, Vegetarian)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup Coach’s Oats (or 1/2 cup steel cut oats or 1 cup rolled oats)
- 1 3/4 cup almond milk/water blend or liquid of your choice
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1/2 tbsp ground flax
- 1/2 tbsp vanilla protein powder (soy protein powder will make this vegan, whey protein powder will make this vegetarian)
- 1 tsp butter extract
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp lemon extract
- 1 banana, chopped
- 1-2 tsp sugar (brown sugar might be best)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 6 dried figs, sliced
Instructions:
1. Combine everything except the figs, 1/2 sugar, and lemon extract on the stovetop, bring to a boil, and simmer until thick.
2. In a small bowl, mix the figs, sugar and lemon extract.
2. Stir in the figs at the very end, or use them as a garnish. I put half into the mixture and used half as a garnish. Finished!
It looks lovely, an ideal breakfast.
Thanks! It really is simple. There’s nothing overwhelming about the flavors. I think that’s why I like this one.
It’s been ages since I’ve had a fig newton… this looks even better than the actual cookie!
Thanks! It tastes a little bit different (not as sweet and grainy), but I’ll take what I can get, haha. I’ve actually been meaning to try Whole Foods’ version of Fig Newtons that they sell in their bulk section… should probably just crumble that on top