• 16 ounces Mission or Calmyrna Figs, stems trimmed and figs coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup rum or orange juice
• 2 tablespoons hot water
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/4 cups old-fashioned oats

METHOD

Heat oven to 350°. Coat a 13 x 9-inch baking pan with cooking spray.

Combine figs, walnuts, sugar, rum and hot water; set aside.

Beat together butter and sugar until creamy. Add egg and mix until smooth. Stir in flour and baking soda; blend in oats to make a soft dough. Reserve 1 cup dough.

With floured fingertips, press thin layer of remaining dough in bottom of prepared pan. Firmly pat fig mixture over dough. Drop reserved dough by teaspoonfuls over top, allowing fig mixture to show between drops. Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely in pan. Drizzle with rum glaze*.

*Rum Glaze: Stir together 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 3-4 teaspoons rum or orange juice until smooth.

Yield: 36 bars