Fig and Pepper Bread (Recipe from FIRST FROST) (2024)

Ever since I read First Frost, I’ve wanted to make the Fig and Pepper Bread that Claire Waverley bakes for her town’s First Frost festival. The bread is eagerly anticipated by her family and friends as one of autumn’s first pleasures, and while I was skeptical about the unusual combo of flavors, I was more intrigued than anything else.

I got to the end of the novel, and I was delighted to find…the recipe for the much-discussed Fig and Pepper Bread! I love it when books do that. I mentally made a note to give the recipe a try one day.

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Ummm. After that…about two years passed? *ducks head in shame* I’ve thought about the recipe often, but I’ve never actually tried it because, confession, you guys: I’ve never made a yeast bread before.

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For some reason, working with yeast scares me. I’ve managed to make a simple homemade pizza dough, but that was only after watching my sister-in-law make it first. I observed her meticulously and asked many (probably annoying) questions, then made it on my own soon after watching her so I wouldn’t forget anything she did or told me.

However, that tried-and-true pizza dough has been my only yeast-y baking accomplishment.

UNTIL NOW.

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I don’t know why I was so scared of making bread! This recipe was easy. So easy, I was pretty floored by how easy it was. Admittedly, a large part of that has to do with the fact that I used my stand mixer’s dough hook (for the first time!) to knead the dough. But, hey, I’m a modern girl, and there’s nothing wrong with doing things the modern way.

Plus, the recipe told me I could.

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So, if any of you are fellow bread-making newbies, never fear. This is probably the best recipe to start with.

The recipe for Fig and Pepper Bread is available online, but I’ve rewritten it below with my own notes and some slight alterations to the ingredients…and some clarifications. The recipe calls for “figs,” but it doesn’t say if they should be fresh figs or dried figs.

Husband and I had a Great Debate in the middle of the grocery store about which should be used. Said debate may or may not have involved putting a package of fresh figs in the cart, walking away, walking back, replacing the figs, and then later picking them back up again.

There was a lot of indecision. Baking is hard.

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In the end, I went with fresh figs based on Husband’s assumption that “the recipe would have said dried figs if it wanted you to use dried”…as well as the fact that there are little drawings of fresh figs on the online recipe card. (I did, however, buy a package of dried figs, juuuuuust in case I changed my mind last minute. I didn’t.)

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Turns out, fresh figs were DEFINITELY the way to go. They made the dough extremely watery when it was raw, but they caramelized beautifully in the oven once the bread baked. I don’t think the bread would be the same if I had used dried figs.

So, definitely use fresh ones if you can. And, make sure they are really ripe. A few of mine had some juice leaking out the bottom – not a lot, just a little – so I knew they were full of flavor.

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While making this bread was easy, it was definitely…an experience. All was going well until I had to “softly knead the chopped figs into the dough.”

Let me tell you, fresh figs do not want to go so easily into that good night. I had floured my hands, as the recipe suggested, to make working the dough easier, but the juicy figs soon made everything slippery, and it was difficult to get the dough folded back on itself after I had tried to knead the figs into it.

Eventually, I gave up, going Que sera sera, and plopped my amoeba of fig-studded raw dough on the baking sheet. It did not look appetizing, and neither will yours. My earlier skepticism about this recipe was back, and for a second I wondered if I should just throw in the towel on this particular adventure.

But, I persevered, dusting the dough blob with flour and pushing the baking sheet into the oven to see what would happen.

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Dude. What emerged was AMAZING. My amoeba had magically transformed into a gorgeously brown, crusty, rustic loaf of artisan bread. I actually gasped when I opened the oven to check on its progress.

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I was unable to let the bread cool completely before cutting into it because I was so excited to taste it. It made a delightful, crusty sound as I sawed into it with the bread knife – like I was cutting real bread that came fresh from a bakery – and that just got me more excited.

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The bread itself is dense and mealy, thanks to the whole wheat flour in the recipe. The crust is crispy and crunchy, cracked in all the right places, but the interior crumb is soft and slightly chewy. Each bite contains a subtle hint of pepper, which is a welcome, savory change to so many breads containing added sugar (this one does not).

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However, the crown jewel is when you reach a fig. Gone is the pale, green taste of the raw fruit, replaced by the robust, earthy flavor of a sweetly caramelized fig. It’s a complete contrast to the peppery base, and I loved it.

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Eat this bread with a thick slathering of salty, European butter and a cuppa tea. Or, serve it alongside a bowl of cauliflower potato soup. It’s also delicious slathered with jams or jellies, and it makes a hearty snack with a few slices of sharp cheddar cheese or creamy brie.

Offer it one hearty slice at a time (it’s wonderfully filling), with more on the side in case anyone’s stomach is bottomless.

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My only complaint about this recipe – and, this is completely my fault – is that there were not enough figs in the bread. Because of the kneading difficulty I mentioned earlier, most of my figs remained near the surface of the bread and didn’t make it into the interior. Knowing how amazingly the figs turn out, I’ll try harder next time to incorporate the chopped pieces throughout the dough. I encourage you to do the same.

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And, yes, there will be a “next time” for making this bread.

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Fig and Pepper Bread

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Servings 1 loaf

Ingredients

  • 2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour , plus more for handling
  • 1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped fresh figs
  • 2 tsp coarse black pepper**
  • 2 tsp sea salt
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil plus more for oiling a bowl
  • 1 packet of active dry yeast
  • 1 1/2 cups warm water

Instructions

PREP INSTRUCTIONS

  • Fit your dough hook into your stand mixer.

  • Whisk the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, salt, pepper, and yeast in a bowl fitted into your stand mixer.

  • Combine olive oil and warm water in a pitcher, then pour into the flour mixture. Turn on the mixer and let the dough hook knead for 5 minutes, until dough has formed a tight ball around the hook.

  • While the dough is kneading, pour about 1 tbsp olive oil into a large bowl and lightly spread it around the interior with a paper towl. You want the entire interior of the bowl oiled.

  • Lightly wet a kitchen handtowel, wringing out all excess water until the towel is damp.

  • When the five minutes are up, turn off mixer and remove the dough from the hook. The dough will be smooth, not sticky, and slightly warm to the touch.

  • Place the dough into the oiled bowl, then cover with the damp towel. Place bowl in a warm place and let rise for about an hour until dough is doubled in size.

  • While you're waiting for the dough to rise, chop your figs and set aside.

  • Place about 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour in a small bowl and set aside.

  • Once the hour has passed, remove the dough from the bowl and place on your workspace. Lightly flour your hands with the flour you set aside (while keeping some in reserve), then gently knead the chopped figs into the dough. Be sure to incorporate the figs evenly throughout the dough to make sure they don't all end up on the crust. Note: this is a messy process since the fresh figs are juicy. Re-flour your hands as necessary.

  • Once figs are incorporated, place dough on an ungreased baking sheet and shape into an oval. Using a sharp knife, slice three shallow lines along the top of the dough, then spinkle all over with flour.

  • Let the dough rise, uncovered, on the baking sheet for another 10-15 minutes until it's poofed up. It make take a bit longer if your kitchen isn't warm.

  • Preheat your oven to 350F.

BAKING INSTRUCTIONS

  • Place baking sheet in 350F oven and bake dough for 40-45 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and crispy. The figs will be slightly browned but should not start to burn.

  • Remove from oven and let loaf cool on baking sheet for 30 minutes, then remove loaf to finish cooling on a wire rack.

Notes

**Be sure to use coarse black pepper instead of "regular" ground pepper. You want the larger grains from the coarse ground for texture and appearance. If you're reluctant to buy a whole container of something for one recipe (I getcha), just remember that coarse ground pepper is excellent for sprinkling on roasted veggies or as flavoring for meats and fish.

This recipe is anadapted version of Fig and Pepper Bread fromFirst Frost by Sarah Addison Allen.

Fig and Pepper Bread (Recipe from FIRST FROST) (2024)

FAQs

Can I leave dough to rise overnight? ›

The dough should generally be proofed for around 1 to 4 hours at a warm temperature or overnight (or more) at a cold refrigerator temperature.

What kind of flour does Paul Hollywood use? ›

Plain and self-raising flour.

Can I make bread dough the night before? ›

When you put your dough in the fridge it slows the yeast activity down. It takes ten times longer for dough to rise in the fridge than it does at room temperature. This means you can put your dough in the fridge overnight or whilst you are at work and come back to it when you are ready.

Can you prove bread overnight? ›

For deeper flavour (and convenience), most doughs can be put in the fridge for their second rise and left to prove overnight. This sounds wrong, given that doughs rise fastest in warm conditions, but it really does work. Put the dough in the fridge straight after shaping, covered with oiled cling film.

What happens if you let dough rise for too long? ›

“If the dough has risen too long, it's going to feel fragile and might even collapse as you poke it,” says Maggie. If this is the case, there's a chance you can save your dough by giving it a quick re-shape. Learn more about this fix in our blog on saving overproofed dough.

Where is the best place to let dough rise overnight? ›

The turned off oven is the classic warm spot for letting your dough rise at home. Simple turn the light on in the oven and let your dough proof on the middle rack. The light from the bulb will keep the oven warm while the dough is rising, and it will also keep the bread free from drafts, which is essential.

What does baking soda do in bread dough? ›

Baking soda becomes activated when it's combined with both an acidic ingredient and a liquid. Upon activation, carbon dioxide is produced, which allows baked goods to rise and become light and fluffy (1).

Is Bob's Red Mill fine pastry flour the same as cake flour? ›

Because our pastry flour has less protein than all purpose flour, it's ideal for many lighter baking purposes. In addition to making pastry, it can be used in place of cake flour in your favorite cake recipes. It's also a wonderful flour for biscuits, scones, cookies, muffins, pound cake and more.

How to keep bread from sinking in the middle? ›

For recipes like banana bread, lemon loaf, or pound cake, your best bet is to bake in a metal loaf pan. Metal is a quick and efficient conductor of heat. This helps to ensure your recipe will cook through the center and not collapse.

Can I bake dough straight from the fridge? ›

The only thing you can do is bake them as they are. What if the dough has not risen enough? Take it out the fridge while the oven is pre-heating and let it rise until it's big enough and then bake it. It's that simple.

Does letting bread rise longer make it fluffier? ›

Does Rising Bread Affect Its Texture? For a fluffy bread texture, the key is to let the bread rise long enough.

Can I refrigerate bread dough after the first rise and bake it later? ›

You can chill your dough during either the first or second rise.

What happens if you don't knock back dough? ›

If the dough isn't punched down, the carbon dioxide will continue to be released, which can cause big, uneven air pockets in your bread. Additionally, if you don't knock back the dough, it can lead to a weaker gluten structure, meaning your bread may not maintain the desired shape.

What does "knocking back dough" mean? ›

After bread has been left to rise, it needs to have the excess air knocked out of it before proving. This is called 'knocking back'. -Using floured hands, scrape the risen dough from the bowl and turn it out onto a lightly floured work surface.

Do you knead dough after it rises? ›

yes The purpose of kneading is to develop gluten in the dough. ... Therefore, you need to knead before rising. If you knead the dough again after its first rise, you'll destroy many of the bubbles and your dough will become flat and dense.

What happens if you rest dough overnight? ›

It is possible to leave bread dough to rise overnight. This needs to be done in the refrigerator to prevent over-fermentation and doughs with an overnight rise will often have a stronger more yeasty flavour which some people prefer. The longer you let enzymes make sugars, the tastier the dough will be.

How do you cover dough to rise overnight? ›

For best results, use a non-porous, tight fitting cover such as a saucepan lid, bowl cover or even a sheet pan laid on top of the bowl, weighted down with something.

What does overproofed dough look like? ›

Overproofed is when the dough has rested too long and the yeast has continued making carbon dioxide while the strength of the dough (gluten bonds) have begun to wear out. The dough will look very puffy, but when you touch it or move it you may notice it deflate or sag.

Can you put yeast roll dough in the fridge overnight? ›

You can refrigerate overnight and then let it rise until doubled in size. Then bake right before serving. Or you can simply bake as directed and freeze in Ziploc freezer bags for your carb needs anytime, anywhere.

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