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.
If you ever need to adjust your baking pan and re-calculate the amounts of ingredients to make your favorite dessert, try this simple Cake Pan Converter.
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
If you ever need to adjust your baking pan and re-calculate the amounts of ingredients to make your favorite dessert, try this simple Cake Pan Converter.
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
*Don't you have the correct baking pan on hand right now? Try this simple Cake Pan Converter!
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.
Anita says
Fresh figs are truly a treat when they are in season. I will be sure to bake this yummy cake when next I spot some nice looking figs at the market. 🙂
★★★★★
Irina says
Thank you Anita! You will not be disappointed with the cake!:) Guaranteed!
Angela says
I love baking with figs! This is the perfect recipe. So easy to make and the almond and fig pair together perfectly. YUM!
★★★★★
Irina says
Angela, I agree with you regarding this fig and almond combo! Please, enjoy the recipe. Thanks for stopping by.
Emily says
All of Yotam Ottolenghi's recipes I've tried have been so delicious, and this one is no exception! I love this yogurt almond cake so much!
★★★★★
Irina says
Thank you very much, Emily! the ed wine Figgy sauce is so special here 🙂
Pavani says
That is such a pretty looking cake. Love the use of fresh figs, and I am sure star anise must have added so much flavor. Thank you for sharing this fantastic recipe.
★★★★★
Irina says
You are very welcome, Pavani! Please, enjoy the recipe.
Bhawana says
With the name itself, this cake looks really tempting. I can vouch that fig cake must be delicious, having in tea time or evening snack.
★★★★★
Irina says
This cake is one of my favorite summer cakes, Bhawana. Please, enjoy the recipe.
Shanna says
This cake looks like such a delicious combination. I can not wait to try this with my family tomorrow. It is another great recipe, as usual.
★★★★★
Irina says
Thank you very much for your kind words, Shanna.
Grace says
Hello! I wondered if it's OK to make this cake a day in advance or is it better fresh?
Irina says
Hi Grace, thank you for your interest in the recipe. I surely love fresh baking, but this cake is Ok to make a day ahead. Please, be sure to make a figgy sauce. It is so worth making!!!
Ilana Saks says
Hi. I just baked (and ate 😋) this cake. It was delicious, but it was a little gooey. Is that how it's supposed to be, or did I do something wrong? Either way will definitely make it again.
Irina says
Hi Ilana. Thanks for making the recipe. The texture of the cake is not gooey. So, it seems that it was something wrong while measuring ingredients or baking. All the recipes on the blog are created using gram measurements and then converted to US measurements. I always suggest using a kitchen scale while baking for high precision. Please, let me know how your second baking attempt goes/went.