Chocolate Hazelnut Stuffed Figs

chocolate-hazelnut-stuffed-figs

In the time of the Ancient Greeks(my area of study), figs were considered a food of the Gods. Chocolate meanwhile was considered a food of the Gods by Mayans and Aztecs living thousands of miles away in South and Central America. Now, I’m not saying the Greeks were wrong, but I’d have to side with the Americans on this one.

chocolate-hazelnut-stuffed-figs-ingredient

Even still, figs are pretty spectacular. For 2 weeks or so every year they’re at the peak of their season, and I always buy a few cartons when they go on sale. Figs remind me of France which leads me to France’s number 1 export(or at least in the heart of foodies): Nutella. The filling in this recipe is sort of like Nutella in that it uses cocoa powder and hazelnuts, but the raw ingredients produce a much more intense, dark flavor that pairs perfectly with sweet fruit.

Don’t have hazelnuts? This would taste great with almonds instead.

Chocolate Hazelnut Stuffed Figs

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 0 minutes

Ingredients(makes 16 amuse-bouches):

  • 8 Figs
  • 1/2 cup hazelnuts
  • 2 Tablespoons agave nectar
  • 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 2-3 Tablespoons water
  • Pinch of salt

chocolate-hazelnut-stuffed-figs-spread

Method:

  1. In a food processor, blend the hazelnuts until they start to form a paste.
  2. Add into the processor the agave, cocoa powder, and salt and continue blending until mixed.
  3. Slowly add the water until the filling is loose and spoonable like a thick mousse. Make sure not to add too much water and make this runny.
  4. Cut each fig lengthwise and lay them out cut side-up on a plate.
  5. Spoon 2 teaspoons of filling onto each fig. Serve at room temperature.

chocolate-hazelnut-stuffed-figs-garnish

I think the Greek Gods would be pleased.

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26 Responses to Chocolate Hazelnut Stuffed Figs
  1. Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
    September 12, 2011 | 9:10 am

    I totally thought Italy had claims to Nutella! Didn’t realize it was a French thing. Either way, figs were just 2 boxes/$5 at the grocery store yesterday and I’m kicking myself for passing them up. A return trip is in order!

  2. Hannah
    September 12, 2011 | 9:33 am

    You know what? I think I’ll agree that figs are the food of the gods. My rationale is this: chocolate is my staple, and I eat it multiple times every day. Figs are so, so hard to come by in an affordable, fresh, and sweet state. So, by the law of common vs. rare, figs = god-like.

    That made so much more sense in my head.

  3. Erin
    September 12, 2011 | 9:53 am

    Well hells bells Evan.
    The gods would eat you alive; I mean that as a compliment.

  4. brandi
    September 12, 2011 | 10:16 am

    love this idea! i’m going out to the fig bush this afternoon to see if i have some more that are ripe 🙂

  5. A Tablespoon of Liz
    September 12, 2011 | 10:19 am

    I love nutella and figs, these look amazing!

  6. Maryea {Happy Healthy Mama}
    September 12, 2011 | 10:40 am

    Interesting recipe! I always think chocolate pairs well with fruit. I’m pretty sure I’d eat that mixture up with a spoon before it made it to the figs, though. 😉

  7. Anna @ On Anna's Plate
    September 12, 2011 | 11:03 am

    Ahhh, I’ve been seeing figs everywhere lately! I need to hop on board the fig train!

  8. VeggieGirl
    September 12, 2011 | 11:21 am

    Ohhh Evan – perfect fig recipe.

  9. Lindsay @ Lindsay's List
    September 12, 2011 | 11:49 am

    I don’t have hazelnuts, but I DO have almonds. I don’t have figs, but I do have Teddy Grahams. So can I just turn this into a chocolate almond bear?

    • Wannabe Chef
      September 12, 2011 | 12:49 pm

      Add some marshmallows and you’re good to go!

  10. Liz @ Tip Top Shape
    September 12, 2011 | 1:26 pm

    Yes, I think the Gods would be very pleased. As am I. This looks pretty fantastic!!

  11. Ela
    September 12, 2011 | 2:01 pm

    To make it even more acceptable to the Olympians, use honey instead of agave! Oh, and carob was totally part of the Mediterranean cuisine (did you know that ‘carat’ as in measurement of gold comes from the Greek for ‘carob,’ because the seeds are so uniform in size and weight that they were used for measuring?) I hate doing the carob: chocolate comparison, it’s so unfair on carob, but there you go anyway.

    • Wannabe Chef
      September 12, 2011 | 2:08 pm

      I did not know that! I’m not a huge carob fan, but that’s probably because most of the times I’ve had it was in place of chocolate and not really highlighting carob itself.

      Honey would be great, too. I actually used maple syrup to please the New England gods.

  12. Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
    September 12, 2011 | 3:24 pm

    this is destined to be great…I mean, you have made homemade Nutella and stuffed it into figs…DELISH!!

  13. Thomas Andrew
    September 12, 2011 | 7:16 pm

    I can’t wait to make these – figs were something my Nanny used to love.

  14. BroccoliHut
    September 12, 2011 | 9:35 pm

    Ah. May. Zing. I just happen to have picked up a bunch of figs yesterday, so I think I know what I’ll make for snacktime now…

  15. s
    September 12, 2011 | 9:50 pm

    i’ve never had fresh figs before i don’t think, but i just picked up the ingredients to make this b/c i love nutella. i’m excited! haha.

  16. Emily
    September 12, 2011 | 9:56 pm

    I’ve never tried figs (aside from fig newtons) but I think this would be an excellent way to start 🙂

  17. Kate (What Kate is Cooking)
    September 13, 2011 | 2:46 pm

    Chocolate hazelnut anything has my attention! I’ve never tried a fresh fig before, but I’d eat anything that tasted like Nutella 🙂

  18. Pure2raw Twins
    September 13, 2011 | 8:51 pm

    hand me one of those stuffed figs now! Evan those look incredible. I thought I was only a stuff goat cheese fig girl but love love love the idea of chocolate hazelnut with figs! YUM

  19. Russell van Kraayenburg
    September 13, 2011 | 11:28 pm

    I love figs! They’re my favorite part of the market when they’re in season. I’ve never tried one with chocolate or hazelnut–or a combination of both–though. I don’t even think I’ve thought of that combo–maybe because I’ve never had nutella. How did you come up with this one?

    • Wannabe Chef
      September 14, 2011 | 9:55 am

      Well, I wanted to stuff them with something, but I don’t eat cheese and have a wicked sweet tooth. Put chocolate + hazelnuts on anything and I promise it will taste good.

  20. anneliesz
    September 15, 2011 | 8:24 pm

    oh my goodness. you’ve done it again. these look awesome evan.

  21. The Chocolate Priestess
    September 16, 2011 | 12:16 pm

    Oh, nice, a fellow ancient historian or classicist? I earned my PhD in Ancient Mediterranean History back at the end of 2007.

    • Wannabe Chef
      September 16, 2011 | 2:00 pm

      Yes! What a great coincidence. My major is for Ancient Greek and Latin language and literature, but I’ve taken a good number of history courses in my time, too.

  22. Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic
    September 17, 2011 | 10:04 pm

    I am obsessed with Nutella but haven’t attempted making it at home yet. Love how easy these bite size desserts are – great idea!