Honey Caramelized Figs with Créme Fraîche is all about simplicity. And while the prep work is pretty basic, this result is anything but!
Light, sweet and savory flavors all in one bite, there’s something about caramelized figs that are utter delightful. The honey adds its distinctive floral-earthy taste to the juicy, caramelized figs, and the crème fraîche is a light, finishing touch that’s rich and creamy, but not overly sweet.
Caramelizing fruit is one surefire way to bring out its natural sweetness and give it an even deeper flavor. We’ve used that method to make our Grilled Pineapple with Cinnamon Sugar and even these Roasted Strawberry Yogurt Popsicles.
It works magic with figs, too. Add in some butter, honey and créme fraîche and you know it’s going to be good!
Why we love this recipe
Our caramelized figs recipe is easy and sophisticated, but incredibly simple. They are perfect for your next dinner party or special occasion. Fresh figs are quite the treat when you find them in season, and this is a wonderful way to take advantage of this tasty fruit.
Honey Caramelized Figs with Crème Fraîche is:
- easy yet elegant
- unique and elevated (a nice change to more “traditional” desserts)
- the perfect balance of sweet and savory
- quick to prepare and ready in 20 minutes
- a gluten-free dessert
What is the best thing to do with figs?
We love fresh figs and there’s no shortage of fig recipes here on our blog! From Roasted Figs in Goat Cheese Custard to Fig Jam and this Frangipane Fig Tart, there are so many delicious ways to enjoy figs. You really can’t go wrong.
However, our honey caramelized figs recipe is probably the most straightforward, and there’s something to be said about ease. 😉 Sometimes, you just can’t beat simplicity!
The Ingredient List
It’s short and sweet, friends! And that’s what we love about it.
To make these Honey Caramelized Figs, you will need:
- ripe figs (any variety will do)
- honey
- butter
- fresh lemon juice
- crème fraîche
If crème fraîche is an ingredient that’s new to you, it’s essentially a type of thick, high-fat cream that has added bacteria cultures that give it a soured taste (similar to sour cream).
This classic French ingredient is often found in the specialty cheese section of the grocery store (sometimes nearby mascarpone) or near the sour creams. You can even use it in our eggless tiramisu in place of mascarpone.
Let’s make Honey Caramelized Figs
This easy dessert recipe makes the most of fig season, and the balance of flavors doesn’t overpower the star of the show, the caramelized figs.
Here’s how to make it:
- Rinse and slice the figs: Run each of the fresh figs under cold tap water and pat them dry. Slice each in half lengthwise, then place on a plate and drizzle the cut side with the honey.
- Caramelize: Heat a skillet over medium-high and add the butter. Once it has melted, place place the figs in and caramelize per the instructions below.
- Make the sauce: Spoon the figs into serving dishes. Return the skillet to the stovetop and heat until the butter is bubbly. Add the lemon juice and bring the liquid to a boil while stirring and scraping the bottom. Simmer until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Serve: Spoon the sauce over each serving of figs. Top each dish with a heaping spoonful of crème fraîche and serve.
Tips and Frequently Asked Questions
How to select ripe figs: When purchasing fresh figs, look for fruits that are soft and blemish-free. They should have a slight give when you press on them gently. Another test is to wiggle the stem. It should stay firmly in place. If it’s loose, the fig is likely overly ripe. Pass over fresh figs that are mushy or have juice seeping out of them.
Can I eat fig skin? Absolutely! The entire fig is edible, and our caramelized figs recipe doesn’t require you to peel the figs.
Helpful Tools
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- Dessert cups
- Heavy bottomed skillet (We love this Misen carbon steel pan, and it’ll last you a lifetime)
Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love:
Plump, ripe figs are the star of our Fresh Fig Cake with Crumb Topping and the crunchy streusel topping is the perfect “frosting.”
Fig Flatbread is a soft flatbread that is studded with slices of fresh figs, oregano and crisp, salty prosciutto (plus creamy Gorgonzola crumbles).
Fresh figs roasted in a creamy goat cheese custard! Yum! Put Roasted figs in Goat Cheese Custard on your end-of-summer fruit dessert list!
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Honey Caramelized Figs with Crème Fraîche
Ingredients
- 12 ripe figs any variety
- ¼ cup honey
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons crème fraîche
Instructions
- Rinse the figs under cold tap water and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Slice each fig in half, lengthwise, place on a plate and drizzle the cut side with the honey.
- Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet or pan over medium-high and add the butter. When the butter has melted, place the figs, cut side down, in the melted butter.
- Cook the figs for 5 minutes without moving them, then carefully turn them over and cook for another minute. Remove the skillet from the heat, spoon the caramelized figs into glass goblets or dishes.
- Return the skillet to the stove. Heat the butter and juices until bubbly, then pour the lemon juice into the skillet. Bring to a boil while stirring and scraping the pan bottom.
- Lower the heat and simmer the sauce until slightly thickened, continuing to stir and scrape the bottom.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and spoon the sauce over each serving of figs, add a heaping spoon full of crème fraîche, serve and enjoy!
