Chocolate dipped figs are an elegant option for dessert, but you could always first make stuffed figs and then dip them in chocolate. Your pick—either way, chocolate covered figs are an easy dessert to make anytime and fig chocolate candies also make a great holiday gift too.
Amplifying Fig Flavor in Chocolate Covered Figs
In a small saucepan, you will heat sugar and water over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. At that point, stir in brandy (or try coffee for a non-alcoholic option) and the figs. You will bring the saucepan to a boil over high heat. Then you will reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Drain the figs, cool and dry thoroughly before continuing on with the chocolate covered figs.
Stuffed Figs 101
You will need a sharp knife for the stuffed figs. Make a small incision in the bottom of each fig. Then, stuff one or two pieces of crystallized ginger, nuts, chocolate into each fig. If you want stuffed figs with goat cheese or blue cheese inside, then make the incision on the side from the bottom up, slashing one side of the figs, making it easier to deposit a crumble of cheese in the middle before pinching closed. Then you’ll set the fig aside before dipping it.
Tips for Chocolate Dipped Figs
You could always use a double boiler, but the microwave is your friend when it comes to melting chocolate. The main thing to think about is not scorching the chocolate. How you do that is to use 50% power for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, stirring in between heating sessions. What you are looking for is the chocolate to be almost completely melted with a few pieces still whole. Then you will stir the chocolate until it is completely melted. One note is that white chocolate is more delicate than milk and dark chocolate.
To make a dual dipped chocolate fig, melt the chocolate in separate bowls. Dip in the white chocolate first. Let the chocolate set. Meanwhile melt the milk or dark chocolate. Then dip the figs into the milk or dark chocolate.
For nut encrusted chocolate dipped figs: dip the fig into chocolate. Then dip it into a shallow bowl with toasted chopped nuts before setting onto a sheet of wax paper.
For chocolate covered figs with white chocolate drizzle: dip the fig into milk or dark chocolate and place on the wax paper giving it time to set. Melt the white chocolate in a separate bowl. Drizzle the white chocolate onto the fig using a fork.
Chocolate Dipped Figs
Ingredients
- 15 Orchard Choice or Sun-Maid California Figs
- 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cups water
- 1/2 cup brandy or 1/2 water mixed with 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 30 pieces candied ginger or toasted nuts or chocolate
- 6 ounces semisweet chocolate or bittersweet or white chocolate
Instructions
- With sharp knife, cut small slit in bottom of each fig. In small saucepan, heat sugar and water over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Stir in brandy and figs. Bring to a boil over high heat then reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Drain figs, cool and dry thoroughly.
- Stuff one or two pieces of ginger, nuts and/or chocolate into each fig.
- Place chopped chocolate in 1-cup glass measuring cup or small microwave-safe bowl. Heat on medium/50% power until almost melted, stirring after every 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Remove from oven and stir until melted. Hold stem of each fig and dip in melted chocolate. Place figs, stems up, on wax paper-lined tray until chocolate sets. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.