Browned Butter Cake with Honey Glazed Figs

by Anne Papina on July 7, 2013

Browned Butter Cake with Honey Glazed Figs | Webicurean

Have you ever seen a recipe and thought I must try that? Of course you have, and for me, that was the case with this cake. It was some time last year that I first discovered the Browned Butter Peach Cake on Spontaneous Hausfrau, and I was mesmerized. Now, you’d think it was those fresh, summery peaches that drew me in, but alas, it was the browned butter. I wasted no time making the cake and enjoyed every bite. Then my thoughts turned to figs. What if I subbed figs for the peaches? Tossed them with a little honey? Sounds divine, no?

A couple of weeks ago, figs started appearing in my local market, and my thoughts immediately returned to this cake. As a bonus, Sam, a family friend, had recently given me a jar of the local raw honey his family produces. Now, I’m no honey connoisseur, but this is some pretty darn good honey. Honestly, I always thought all honeys were created equal. But like the fresh produce you get at the farmers’ market, this small batch honey is head and shoulders above the mass-produced stuff. What better way to honor this first crop of figs?

Browned Butter Cake with Honey Glazed Figs | Webicurean
That’s Sam moving the bees at his family farm–Orbit Apiaries–one job I will not be attempting any time soon (although my brave niece Jennifer did).

Now, about that cake… as you can see from the pictures, it came out a little over done, which was all my doing–I forgot to turn down the oven after roasting the figs, so it was way too hot. Crispy edges aside, the cake was still moist and sweet with honey glazed figs–perfect with a cup of tea.

Browned Butter Cake with Honey Glazed Figs | Webicurean

First, wash and halve the figs, then toss the them with the honey and a dash of nutmeg.

Browned Butter Cake with Honey Glazed Figs | Webicurean

Spread half the figs on a baking sheet that’s been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray, and roast for about 20 minutes.

Browned Butter Cake with Honey Glazed Figs | Webicurean

While the figs are roasting, melt the butter in a small pan over medium-high heat. Stir continuously as the butter starts to foam. When brown specks appear on the bottom, remove from heat and cool.

Browned Butter Cake with Honey Glazed Figs | Webicurean

Once the butter has cooled enough, whip up the batter.

Browned Butter Cake with Honey Glazed Figs | Webicurean

Spread half the batter in a greased, 9-inch springform pan, then top with the roasted figs. Spread the remaining batter on top of that and arrange the rest of the figs on top.

Browned Butter Cake with Honey Glazed Figs | Webicurean

Not particularly pretty, but boy was it good!

Browned Butter Cake with Honey Glazed Figs | Webicurean

Serve on a pretty cake dish with plenty of tea on hand.

Here’s the printable version:

5.0 from 1 reviews
Browned Butter Cake with Honey Glazed Figs
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Loaded with honey glazed figs, this browned butter cake is simply divine.
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8
Ingredients
  • 1 lb figs
  • ¼ cup honey
  • Pinch nutmeg
  • 1 cube butter (8 tbsp)
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1¼ teaspoons baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • Scant ¼ teaspoon almond extract
  • ¼ cup Greek yogurt
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Wash and cut the figs in half. In a medium sized bowl, toss the figs with the honey and nutmeg.
  3. Arrange half the figs on the baking sheet and roast the figs for about 20 minutes.
  4. While the figs are roasting, melt the butter in a small sauce pan over medium to medium-high heat. Once melted, the butter will begin to foam. Stir the butter continuously over the heat until brown flecks begin to appear at the bottom, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and cool
  5. Once the figs are finished roasting, set aside to cool. Lower oven to 350F. Grease a 9-inch springform pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
  6. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In another medium bowl, mix the sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and eggs until thick. Stir in the cooled butter until combined, along with the yogurt. Fold the wet mixture into to the dry mixture and mix until thoroughly blended.
  7. Spread half of the batter on the bottom of the pan, and arrange the roasted figs on top. Spread the remaining batter over top of the roasted figs, and arrange the fresh figs over the top.
  8. Bake about 50 minutes or until the cake is golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool about 30 minutes before removing from the pan.

 

{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

Laura Dembowski July 9, 2013 at 4:47 am

I see things all the time that I want to make right away. I can see why you wanted to make this – yum! I need to try baking with figs!

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Anne Papina July 9, 2013 at 7:05 am

The figs get really soft and buttery … it was like eating fresh, warm fig newton!

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Julie @ Texan New Yorker July 10, 2013 at 7:54 am

Browned butter = BEST. THING. EVER.

I’m also dying to try some raw, straight from the bees, honey sometime. Apparently there’s a bee keeper “school” in Manhattan that teaches you how to keep a beehive on your roof or balcony and harvest your own honey. I would love to do that but my hubby is quite opposed…

Reply

Anne Papina July 22, 2013 at 3:09 pm

I’d be too scared to raise my own bees!

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Rosella Sle December 6, 2020 at 11:09 am

I always love to add honey in so many recipes.. thanks for sharing this!

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