Say 'Yes' to this fig cake recipe and make fresh fig and almond cake - an amazingly easy one-bowl dessert. It is a decadent summer cake served with a dollop of Greek yogurt and red wine figgy sauce. It is a hit for a fig lover!
I am a huge fig fan who looks forward to getting them in the season to make incredibly delicious fig desserts.
One of my favorite cakes is Pavlova, spiced with cinnamon and topped with fresh figs and pistachios - French Fig And Cinnamon Pavlova.
Flavored with hazelnut praline and sprinkled with almonds, another fig dessert - Fig Tart With Hazelnut Praline - also has figs as the primary focus.
The cutest Fig Mini Tiramisu Cups are the most adorable summer treat, in my opinion.
If sweets do not bring you joy, you might want to try Savory Breakfast Muffins With Ham And Figs.
Jump to:
Fresh fig and almond cake
This fig cake with almonds includes everything I love about a fresh fig dessert.
It is loaded with seasonal figs flavored with star anise and arranged to give a rustic look to the dessert.
The cake is moist due to almond flour with a warm touch of the figgy sauce that combines a beautiful red wine aroma and caramel taste.
The heavenly delicious figgy sauce is a creation of the Israeli-British chef Yotam Ottolenghi.
Yes, this sweet touch and a decadent addition are optional, but the first bite of the cake-Greek yogurt-figgy sauce combo will taste beyond delicious.
You will want another piece of cake! It is guaranteed!
If you look for a fig cake recipe, do not look any further. Just make this fresh fig cake and enjoy it!.
Why fresh fig cake recipe works
- This cake is a one-bowl cake: I do not count the bowl to weigh and mix dry ingredients.
- Ground star anise adds a sweet, licorice-like flavor.
- Brown sugar brings a caramelized flavor that compliments fig sweetness.
- Thick cake batter prevents figs from sinking to the bottom of the pan.
- Slightly tangy Greek yogurt served on the side balances sweetness of figs.
Ingredients
Here is a quick overview of what ingredients you will need. Follow the full recipe below for detailed amounts and instructions. I recommend making this recipe as written for the best results.
Butter: use softened unsalted butter to make the dessert. Take it out of the fridge one to two hours before you start.
Brown sugar: use golden brown or dark brown sugar. You can replace it with light brown muscovado sugar.
Honey: your favorite brand will perfectly work for the recipe.
Almond flour: use any almond flour/meal to make the cake; they all will yield the same tasteful result. My favorite one is Anthony's Almond Flour.
Vanilla extract: the best is Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract since it is the most full-flavored, among other vanilla extracts. Use alcohol-free vanilla flavor if you desire.
Ground star anise: use a store-bought ground star anise or make it yourself. Just grind the whole star anise (both seed and pod) in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Replace ground star anise with ground cinnamon if you prefer.
Baking powder: aluminum-free baking powder is preferable to use. The baking powder loses its effectiveness after about half of the year; so, use it fresh.
Fresh figs: the seasonal figs are the best. Use Black Mission figs or combine them with other varieties of figs.
If you are out of fig season, replace them with stone fruit such as plums, peaches, apricots. Even pears or apples work in this recipe.
Red wine: use your favorite brand of the red wine.
Greek yogurt: use plain Greek yogurt to accompany the dessert. What brand is the best? Read A Definitive Ranking of the Best 8 Greek Yogurts.
Eggs, all-purpose flour.
How to make fig and almond cake
Preheat oven to 350 F/175 C. Butter and line the bottom and sides of an 8-inch (20 cm) springform round cake pan with parchment paper.
To make the cake batter, place butter, honey, and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat until smooth (photo 1).
Low speed of the mixer and gradually add eggs, mixing until homogeneous (photo 2).
In a separate bowl, weigh and mix almond flour, all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, and ground anise.
With the mixer on low speed, slowly add dry ingredients to the batter, mixing until combined.
Add vanilla extract and slightly mix (photo 3). Pour the mixture into the lined mold and level the top with a spoon (photo 4).
Cut each fig vertically into four long wedges. Arrange figs on top of the cake, cut sides up, going in a circle.
Make sure to slightly immerse figs into the batter but not to overlap (photo 5).
Bake for about 40 to 50 minutes. Check the cake's readiness by inserting a toothpick into the cake: it's done if it comes out clean (photo 6).
Remove the cake from the oven, cool down before taking it out of the mold.
To make the figgy sauce, place sugar in a saucepan and heat until sugar starts to caramelize.
Remove the pot from heat, carefully add red wine (be careful, since it might splash).
Then bring the pan to medium heat again and let the caramel dissolve in wine. Finally, add fig quarters and toss them around just warming up (photo 7).
To serve the fig cake, spoon a generous dollop of Greek yogurt over or aside of every cake slice and pour the figgy sauce on top (photo 8). Or dust the cake with powdered (icing) sugar.
Expert tips
- Beat the cake batter with an electric mixer or a hand whisk if you do not have a stand mixer.
- Use a regular can pan and precut circle cake pan liners to facilitate the removal of the cake.
- While making the figgy sauce, do not use a spoon or spatula. Just swirl the saucepan over the stove.
Frequently asked questions
Fresh figs have dark purple skin that hides a delicious pulp. You do not need to peel the fruit since the outer skin is edible. Do not cook them before baking either: they will bake beautifully in the oven. Just wash figs, dry them, cut them into quarters, or slice them lengthwise into thin pieces.
This recipe has not been tested with dried figs; so, use fresh figs to make this delicious seasonal dessert layered with fresh fruit.
Love cakes? Try these next!
- French Chocolate Cake
- Layer Cashew Cake Sans Rival
- Plum Pavlova With Red Wine Sauce
- Browse all the Cake Recipes
Please, note that the recipe was primarily developed using gram measurements for the high precision and then converted to the US volume and weight measurements. I recommend using a kitchen scale for accuracy and the best results.
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Recipe
Fig And Almond Cake
Say 'Yes' to this fig cake recipe and make fresh fig and almond cake - an amazingly easy one-bowl dessert. It is a decadent summer cake served with a dollop of Greek yogurt and red wine figgy sauce. It is definitely a hit for a fig lover!
- Total Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Cakes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 3.5 oz (100 g) butter
- ⅔ cup + 5 teaspoons (155 g) brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ¼ cup (60 g) eggs (see note #1)
- 1 cup + 2 teaspoons (100 g) almond flour
- 1 cup + 2 teaspoons (130 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground star anise
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 10 fresh figs
For the figgy sauce:
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons red wine
- 6 fresh figs
For serving:
- 5.3 oz (150 g) Greek yogurt
- powdered (icing) sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F/175 C. Butter and line the bottom and sides of an 8-inch (20 cm) springform round cake pan with parchment paper.
- To make the cake batter, place butter, honey, and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat until smooth. Low speed of the mixer and gradually add eggs, mixing until homogeneous.
- In a separate bowl, weigh and mix almond flour, all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, and ground anise. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add dry ingredients to the batter, mixing until combined. Add vanilla extract and slightly mix. Pour the mixture into the lined mold and level the top with a spoon.
- Cut each fig vertically into four long wedges. Arrange figs on top of the cake, cut sides up, going in a circle. Make sure to slightly immerse figs into the batter but not to overlap.
- Bake for about 40 to 50 minutes. Check the cake's readiness by inserting a toothpick into the cake: it's done if it comes out clean. Remove the cake from the oven, cool down before taking it out of the mold.
- To make the figgy sauce, place sugar in a saucepan and heat until sugar starts to caramelize. Remove the pot from heat, carefully add red wine (be careful, since it might splash). Then bring the pan to medium heat again and let the caramel dissolve in wine. Finally, add fig quarters and toss them around, just warming up.
- To serve, spoon a generous dollop of Greek yogurt over or aside of every cake slice and pour the figgy sauce on top. Or dust the cake with powdered (icing) sugar.
Notes
- 60 g eggs approximately equal to 1 whole extra-large chicken egg (eggshell removed).
- Beat the cake batter with an electric mixer or a hand whisk if you do not have a stand mixer.
- To make ground star anise, grind the whole star anise (both seed and pod) in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
- Replace ground star anise with ground cinnamon.
- Use a regular can pan and precut circle cake pan liners to facilitate the removal of the cake.
- While making the figgy sauce, do not use a spoon or spatula. Just swirl the saucepan over the stove.
Nutrition
- Calories: 429
- Sugar: 42.9 g
- Sodium: 113 mg
- Fat: 17.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 7.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 64.3 g
- Fiber: 5.5 g
- Protein: 6.7 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: fig cake, fresh fig cake, fig and almond cake, fig cake recipe, fig cake with almonds
The nutrition information has been calculated using an online recipe nutrition calculator and is intended for informational purposes only and should be used as a general guideline. If the nutrition information is important to you, you should independently verify it using your preferred tool. Please, read the disclaimers in our Privacy Policy.
The figgy sauce recipe was adapted from https://ottolenghi.co.uk/. The cake recipe was originally published on September 01, 2018. It has been updated with new photos, content, and changes to the recipe to make it even better. All posted pictures are mine.
Dannii says
What a lovely light and fresh cake. I know my husband would love this.
★★★★★
Jeannette says
Boy, do I miss the fig tree we used to have in our backyard! This recipe takes me way back and now I want to get some to try out this wonderful cake! Thanks for sharing, Irina!
★★★★★
Irina | Baking Like a Chef says
Jeannette, you are welcome! I am in love with figs. I think of planting a fig tree in our backyard!
Danielle Wolter says
This sounds like perfection. I was looking at the figs growing at my boyfriends parents this weekend and excited to get some. This would be the perfect recipe to use them in!
★★★★★
Irina | Baking Like a Chef says
Danielle, this fig cake is so GOOD that you might become addicted!:)
kim says
Love this recipe! It's so easy, tasty and my whole family gobbled it up!
★★★★★
Jas @ All that's Jas says
Love figs and this cake is perfect as they are now in season and I love trying new recipes. Can't wait to try it!
★★★★★
Irina | Baking Like a Chef says
Jas, happy baking and enjoy!
Farah says
A beautiful flavor combination. Love the idea of topping with Greek Yogurt. Thank you for the recipe- I love any Ottolenghi dessert!
★★★★★
Irina | Baking Like a Chef says
Farah, you are welcome! Enjoy!:)
Valentina says
I love figs and this cake is SO pretty! It's even pretty before you put it in the oven. 🙂
★★★★★
Irina | Baking Like a Chef says
Valentina, thank you. I agree with you regarding a picture of arranged figs before baking!
Brian Jones says
This was absolutely delicious and the recipe was easy to follow, thank you!
★★★★★
Irina | Baking Like a Chef says
Brian, I am happy to hear that you liked the recipe! It is amazing to know!
Tisha says
Love how light this is and the flavor combo! So perfect!
★★★★★
Irina | Baking Like a Chef says
Tisha, just enjoy!:)
Jacqueline Debono says
I made this cake with figs I picked from the neighbouring farmer's tree! It was fabulous. I can't wait to make it again!
★★★★★
Irina | Baking Like a Chef says
Oh, WOW! Jacqueline, thank you for letting me know that you loved the cake!
Michelle Miller says
Two of my favorite fruits in one cake. Great combination! Looks super moist and delicious!
★★★★★
Irina | Baking Like a Chef says
Michelle, this fig-almond combo is really great! I agree with you!
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
I have never baked with fresh figs but this cake is so gorgeous I am going to make it this weekend.
★★★★★
Irina | Baking Like a Chef says
Amanda, happy baking and enjoy!
Sylvie says
Almond cakes are probably one of my favourite, and top with fresh figs!? How delicious!! Cannot wait to try it
★★★★★
Irina | Baking Like a Chef says
Sylvie, happy baking and enjoy! I appreciate your comment. Thanks.
Aliso says
I love fresh figs but rarely buy or use them because I'm not sure what to do with them. This cake is beautiful, fresh, and delicious!
★★★★★
Irina | Baking Like a Chef says
Aliso, here we go. You might enjoy other fig recipes on my blog!
Adrianne says
Figs are one of my favourite fruits and this cake looks so pretty. I love that you have really honoured the fruit and it sounds like it would taste so good. Can't wait to try it. Cheers!
★★★★★
Irina | Baking Like a Chef says
Adrianne, you will love the cake! Guaranteed!