Last Updated on September 2, 2022
Today, we’re going to be answering the question: do figs need to refrigerated? And taking a look at every question you may have ever heard about figs, as well as the most delicious chocolate and fig cake recipe. Fruit always goes perfectly with desserts, and figs are no different. I find chocolate and fruit to be the ultimate pairing, so of course, we’re looking at a chocolate and fig cake. But first, do figs need to refrigerated? Do they offer any health benefits? Let’s take a closer look.
What Are Figs?
You may already be familiar with figs, but if not, figs are a fruit. What makes them so different from other fruits is their appearance. They are shaped almost like a teardrop and are relatively small. Inside, there are hundreds of extremely small seeds. The outside is usually purple, but you can find green figs too. The inside of a fig is pink and fleshy. They are very mild tasting, but oozing with sweetness, as well nutrients and health benefits!
Nutritional information of figs
You may be wondering what the nutritional information is when it comes to figs. Each small fig contains the following:
- Calories: 30
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 0g
- Carbs: 8h
- Fiber: 1g
Do Figs Need to be Refrigerated?
There are several ways that you can store figs. None of which are right or wrong, but some of which can extend the shelf life of your figs. While figs do not need to be refrigerated, they are more likely to turn bad much quicker if left at room temperature.
For example, if you leave a fresh fig at room temperature, it’s likely to turn bad after 2-3 days. However, if kept in a drawer in the fridge, your fresh figs will usually last for around a week. Did you know that you can also freeze figs? If you do so, they’ll last for anywhere up to an entire year, in the right conditions!
Health benefits of figs
Like most fruits and vegetables, there are many health benefits that can potentially occur when adding figs frequently to your diet. Some of these benefits include:
- helps to promote bone health
- helps to aid your digestive system
- they’re rich in antioxidants, which are great for your body
- can help to reduce pain
- can help regulate your blood pressure
Chocolate And Fig Cake Recipe
Now we’ve found out how to store figs, you may want an idea of which recipes you can make using them. One of my favorites is this chocolate and fig cake recipe. This recipe is inspired by one from Food and Wine.
Ingredients
The ingredients you’ll need for this recipe are:
- 1/2 cup of melted unsalted butter (plus extra to grease)
- 3/4 cup of all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt
- 1 1/4 cups of granulated sugar
- 3 large room temp eggs
- 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup of bittersweet chocolate (chopped)
- 4-12oz of sliced and stemmed fresh figs (cut longways)
- powdered sugar (to decorate)
- whipping cream (to serve)
Recipe
Now all you need to do is:
Step 1: Prepare
Gather all of the ingredients you need for this recipe and preheat your oven to 350F. For best results, use a round cake tin. If your tin doesn’t have handles, you can make some out of parchment paper. Using scissors, cut two strips of parchment that are long enough to come out of the top of the pan and overlap them. Place one end of the strips on the bottom of your buttered pan, and add additional parchment paper to form the bottom of your pan. Add some more butter to the pan and some flour dusted over the top.
Step 2: Make the batter
Grab a bowl and sift the following ingredients into the bowl: flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Once sifted, leave to one side. In a separate bowl, add your butter and sugar. Using a whisk or stand mixer, mix until the ingredients are well combined. Once mixed, add the eggs individually, ensuring each one is incorporated well before introducing the next. Now add your pure vanilla extract and continue mixing. Beat the batter until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This may take several minutes. Next, add the bowl of sifted ingredients, and add in the chopped chocolate. Mix well, one last time.
Step 3: Bake the cake
Place the batter into your cake tin and smooth out. Once even, add your figs evenly spaced around the cake, slightly overlapping, and not too close to the edges of the tin. Place the cake into the center of your preheated oven and bake for around 35 minutes. You need the cake to be just set. Leave the cake to cool before you attempt to remove from the pan; this may take 1-2 hours. After this time, remove from pan and dust powdered sugar over the top, and serve with whipping cream. Enjoy!
Conclusion
I hope this post has helped to answer the question: do figs need to be refrigerated? And give you an idea of how to store them and just one of the incredible desserts you can make using them.
Do you have any tips or tricks when it comes to storing figs? If so, please feel free to let me know in the comments below. Sharing is caring!
FAQs
Do Figs Go Bad at Room Temperature?
Fresh figs do not go bad at room temperature. However, if left out of the refrigerator, they will go bad much quicker than if they were stored in the fridge. For this reason, it's recommended you keep them in your fridge.
Do Packaged Figs Need to be Refrigerated?
Typically, packaged figs do not need to be refrigerated, but they will have a longer shelf life if kept in there.
Why Do Dried Figs Need to be Refrigerated?
Dried figs do not need to refrigerated, but it's advised you do so; especially in the warmer months, as they need to be stored in a cool, dry place.
Do Figs Go Bad if Unopened?
Figs can go bad whenever they pass their best before date, so it's always best to check that before consuming them.
Do Figs Need To Be Refrigerated? ( & Fig Cake Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of melted unsalted butter (plus extra to grease)
- 3/4 cup of all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt
- 1 1/4 cups of granulated sugar
- 3 large room temp eggs
- 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup of bittersweet chocolate (chopped)
- 4-12 oz of sliced and stemmed fresh figs (cut longways)
- powdered sugar (to decorate)
- whipping cream (to serve)
Instructions
- PrepareGather all of the ingredients you need for this recipe and preheat your oven to 350F. For best results, use a round cake tin. If your tin doesn't have handles, you can make some out of parchment paper. Using scissors, cut two strips of parchment that are long enough to come out of the top of the pan and overlap them. Place one end of the strips on the bottom of your buttered pan, and add additional parchment paper to form the bottom of your pan. Add some more butter to the pan and some flour dusted over the top.1/2 cup of melted unsalted butter (plus extra to grease)
- Make the batterGrab a bowl and sift the following ingredients into the bowl: flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Once sifted, leave to one side. In a separate bowl, add your butter and sugar. Using a whisk or stand mixer, mix until the ingredients are well combined. Once mixed, add the eggs individually, ensuring each one is incorporated well before introducing the next. Now add your pure vanilla extract and continue mixing. Beat the batter until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This may take several minutes. Next, add the bowl of sifted ingredients, and add in the chopped chocolate. Mix well, one last time.1/2 cup of melted unsalted butter (plus extra to grease), 3/4 cup of all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting), 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt, 1 1/4 cups of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, 1/2 cup of bittersweet chocolate (chopped), 3 large room temp eggs
- Bake the cakePlace the batter into your cake tin and smooth out. Once even, add your figs evenly spaced around the cake, slightly overlapping, and not too close to the edges of the tin. Place the cake into the center of your preheated oven and bake for around 35 minutes. You need the cake to be just set. Leave the cake to cool before you attempt to remove from the pan; this may take 1-2 hours. After this time, remove from pan and dust powdered sugar over the top, and serve with whipping cream. Enjoy!4-12 oz of sliced and stemmed fresh figs (cut longways), powdered sugar (to decorate), whipping cream (to serve)