Join our newsletter and get 15% off your first order.
Blogs

Gaby's Bakery - Pan De Higo - Spanish Fig Cake

August 22, 2025

Gaby's Bakery - Pan De Higo - Spanish Fig Cake

Pan de higo (literally "fig bread") is a traditional Spanish delicacy that sits somewhere between a fruit cake, an energy bar, and a sweetmeat. Despite the name, it's not really a bread in the usual sense.

The history is likely from the Moorish influence as dried fruit and nuts were staple ingredients in Arab-Andalusian cookery. Traditionally prepared in late summer and autumn when figs were harvested and dried. Families would press them into cakes for storage, ensuring a sweet, nutrient-rich food supply through winter.

Dense and chewy with a crunch from the nuts, it’s naturally sweet from the figs. The warm, aromatic spice notes, sometimes have a faint boozy undertone. It was valued historically as a travel food or shepherd’s snack.

Served in thin slices, almost like cheese or charcuterie, it pairs beautifully with Manchego or other sheep’s cheeses. Also enjoyed with sherry, brandy, or strong coffee. Today, it’s a festive food at Christmas in Spain, but also sold year-round in gourmet shops.

 

Pan De Higo - Spanish Fig Cake

Ingredients:
420g dried figs
100g Marcona almonds
2 tbsp sesame seeds
1-2 tbsp brandy (add sparingly until mixture comes together)
1 tbsp honey
½ tsp anise seeds
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground cloves

Method:
In a food processor pulse the almonds until just chopped. Remove the almonds and then blitz the figs.

Add the almonds to the figs along with the honey, sesame seeds, anise seed, cinnamon & cloves. Use enough brandy just to hold the mixture together.

Lightly flour a work surface or silicone mat and form the mixture into a log shape. Wrap up log and compress it, leaving it in a cool dry place to dry out for a day or two.

When ready slice to serve. Keep refrigerated.

Enjoy!


 Gaby Van Clarke



Also in Blogs

Holiday Hair Care
Holiday Hair Care

June 25, 2026

Too much sun wrecks your skin. We know that. For two generations we’ve been told about the protective qualities of SPF sun cream, and we use it.

Continue Reading

Gaby's Bakery - Eton Mess
Gaby's Bakery - Eton Mess

June 25, 2026

There are various stories about how Eton Mess originated, from a picnic being dropped at a cricket match and smashing up the meringue, strawberries and cream pudding, to an over excited labrador jumping on the basket and squashing it. In any story, the boys don't mind that the original desert is ruined and tuck in.

Continue Reading

Gaby's Bakery - Homemade Healthy Snicker Bites
Gaby's Bakery - Homemade Healthy Snicker Bites

June 19, 2026

Healthier and way more delicious than the ones you pick up at the Tesco checkout, or Harrods! Dates, dark chocolate, peanuts and no added sugar, this no-bake recipe is simple to make and best kept in the fridge afterwards.

Continue Reading

Subscribe