Vegan Whole Wheat "Fig Newtons"

So I've told you guys this before, but I'm a library ho, it's true. I don't buy any books I just hit up the library. This is especially true with cookbooks since so many of them have 1 or 2 recipes I'll actually make while the rest of the recipes are just taking up valuable real estate on my book shelf. Sometimes though I find a book so chocked full of recipes I'd ACTUALLY have to go buy it. Enter in Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar. I wasn't asked to pimp out this book, I just happened to find it at the library, and fall in love.

I brought these into work and everyone who had some thought they were better than the store bought variety. I made two changes (like you didn't see that coming) I only made half the filling, and truthfully it was plenty enough filling if you ask me. If you want a super thick gewwy filling make the full batch. The second change was I used 1/2 cup apple sauce instead of the 1/2 cup oil. Truthfully I think it worked out fine for these and wasn't missed one little bit. Oh wait... one more thing, she rolls out the dough... I just divided it in half and used my fingers to press it into the pan ... sure it would have been flatter and prettier if I rolled it out between wax paper like she said... but I'm lazy, and not using the oil makes things harder to roll out... true!

Whole Wheat Fig Bars

recipe from Vegan cookies invade your cookie jar
for full on her direction... go get the book :D these are my short hand directions

Filling (this is the full version I only made half)
1 lb dried figs, hard stems removed and diced into small pieces
2/3 cup water
1/4 cup agave nectar or maple syrup
2 tsp finely grated citrus zest

Bring to a boil over medium heat, reduce to simmer and cook 8-10 minutes stirring on occasion.

Dough
Mix together:
2 Tbs ground flax seeds
1/4 cup non-dairy milk
1/2 cup canola oil (I used unsweetened apple sauce)
3/4 cup sucanat or other natural dry sweetener
1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Then sift in:
1 3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt (I used less)

Divide into two balls and roll out between wax paper, or just smoosh it into a tin foil lined 8x8 pan like I did. Top with fig mixture then second layer of dough. Bake at 350 for 20-22 minutes.

PS. I just started using a new commenting system, your email will not be displayed and I'm not collecting / storing anything or going to spam you or anything like that, it just makes it easier to actually be able to answer people's questions! I've had so many times when people ask me things but I couldn't email them back since blogger doesn't let you see emails. :)