Fig Muffins

24 servings Prep: 15 m Cook: 30 m Total: 45 m Beginner
Fig Muffins
In Memory of Louella Landry Kaplan LA - Cajun love making fig preserves – Great with bread, corn bread, or over cream cheese as an appetizer. Another sweet use for fig preserves is to make fig preserve muffins – so good with butter while still warm from the oven.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup fig preserves (mash with a fork)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease muffin pans or line with paper liners.
  2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well.
  4. Add flour, 1 cup at a time with baking soda, mixing just until combined.
  5. Mash figs with a fork and fold into batter.
  6. Fill muffin cups about 2/3 full.
  7. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  8. Makes 2 dozen. Cooks note - I sometimes make 1/2 of a recipe. I half the ingredients and use 2 eggs instead of three. They also freeze well if you have leftovers.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Why are my muffins dense instead of light and fluffy?

A: Make sure to cream the butter and sugar well until light and fluffy before adding other ingredients. Also, don't overmix once you add the flour - mix just until combined to keep them tender.

Q: Can I use store-bought fig preserves?

A: Yes, store-bought works fine, but homemade [fig preserves](/recipes/fig-preserves-i/) give the best flavor and more authentic texture. If using store-bought, choose one with visible fruit pieces.

Tips and Techniques

Don’t overfill the muffin cups - fill them only about 2/3 full to allow room for rising. These muffins freeze beautifully, so you can make a full batch and freeze half for later. Thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in the microwave.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • fig preserves: strawberry or blackberry preserves
  • butter: vegetable oil or melted coconut oil

Equipment Needed

  • muffin pan (standard 12-cup size, you'll need 2)
  • mixing bowls
  • electric mixer or wooden spoon
  • fork for mashing preserves

Historical Context

Fig trees thrive in South Louisiana’s climate, and many Cajun families have treasured fig trees passed down through generations. Preserving figs was essential before refrigeration, and creative cooks found countless ways to use those preserves year-round, from spreading on cornbread to baking into tender muffins like these.