Fig Skillet Cake
Friday, July 16, 2010 at 12:06AM 
It happens all at once. The figs stay green forever it seems - taunting the birds and those of us who have been waiting somewhat impatiently to partake in the season's first crop - until finally, one day their skins soften and bear the color of purple. Suddenly, you find yourself underneath the tree, looking under foliage, and spotting ripe ones here, there, and everywhere. And if you wait too long to notice their metamorphosis (or go to the shed to get the ladder), they'll be gone - stolen away in the beak of some bird, or worse shriveled and unfit to eat.
Yesterday, we picked figs. Lots and lots of ripe, beautiful, plump figs. And since they only keep for about a day, I sent Andy straight to the kitchen to whip something up. My trees are getting so big now that it's gotten a little easier to cook something with a day's harvest. In the past, we'd pick a few figs here and there, and eat them plain or with goat cheese and a little drizzle of honey. Last year, I made a couple of loaves of fig bread. I anticipate many more fig-based desserts in the weeks to come, and if anything a welcome reprieve from all those peaches! (see yesterday's post).
Fig Skillet Cake (modified from Martha Stewart Living)
4 T unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for skillet
1 cup all purpose flour, plus more for skillet
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
coarse salt
3/4 cup plus 2 T sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup milk (or buttermilk)
about 2 cups figs, thinly sliced
Preheat oven to 375. Butter an 8 inch ovenproof skillet (preferably cast-iron); dust with flour. Whisk together flour, baking powder and soda, and 1/2 tsp salt. Beat butter and 3/4 cup sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy. Beat in egg. Add flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with milk.
Pour batter into prepared skillet, and smooth top with spatula. Put figs on top, and sprinkle with remaining 2 T sugar. Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 35-40 minutes. Let cool slightly.
Enjoy! It's delicious!
Reader Comments (1)
Oh wow, this looks absolutely fantastic!!! I love anything with figs!
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