Easy Homemade Fig Butter Recipe

Fig butter is a spread made from fresh figs reduced to a thick, spreadable paste. Figs are naturally low in pectin, which means they need added pectin to make jam. But to make creamy fig butter, all you need is figs.

Fig butter has a rich, sweet flavor. Since it’s made with less sugar than fig jam, it has a creamier consistency and more of a rustic, hearty texture. You can make fig jam with absolutely no added sugar, but a little honey, some cardamom, and a pinch of salt round out the flavor profile.

There are endless ways to use fig butter, but some of the easiest are:

1. 1. In ice cream: If you’ve ever had fig-studded gelato, here’s a shortcut: Swirl homemade fig butter into store-bought vanilla gelato.
2. 2. As a glaze for poultry: Figs and poultry go great together. Use fig butter as a glaze for chicken thighs, duck legs, or even a whole goose.
3. 3. With cheese: Fig butter is a natural choice for a cheese plate. Or, try this super-easy party snack: Spoon fig butter over a log of goat cheese, and pair it with crackers. It’s the perfect combination of savory and sweet.