Welcome to the first Monday of FALL! Yippee!
I promise to tone down the fall-inspired giddiness in a couple of days (weeks?), but I’m afraid you’ll just have to bare with me until then. This is by far my favourite time of the year, and I plan on milking it for all it’s worth. That and I’ll use pretty much any excuse to get ridiculously excited and bust out the happy dance 
But seriously, what’s not to love?! The sights, the sounds, the smells… the feelings, the fashion, the FOOD…
Oh, the food… We’re not even going to talk about the thing I’ve got going on with kabocha right now – I like to maintain at least a certain level of dignity, and opening up about my squash obsession would not do me any favours. Instead we’re going to talk about figs [and goat cheese, and muffins], and how the combination of those three things turns into something magical.
I know it sounds like a bit of an odd combination, but here’s how it all came into being… I was browsing the blog world like always –> I came across a handful of fig and goat cheese recipes –> I was intrigued –> I remembered I don’t like fresh figs –> I remembered I do like dried ones –> I didn’t think dried figs would work on pizza or in salad –> I wanted something doughy –> I felt like baking –> I figured I should step away from the pumpkin –> Lightbulb!
I’d love to know if you make this (or any!) recipe! Tag @runwithspoons on Instagram and Twitter, and be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy and delicious recipes straight to your inbox!
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fig and goat cheese honey muffins
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
Ingredients
- 4 oz. soft goat cheese
- 2 Tbsp. honey
- 1 tsp. grated orange zest
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup applesauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 6 oz. dried figs, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425ºF and lightly oil a muffin tray, or line it with 12 paper/silicone liners.
- In a small bowl, prepare the filling by combining goat cheese, honey, and orange zest. Stir until fully combined and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a medium sized bowl, combine egg, oil, applesauce, honey, and Greek yogurt. Stir until fully combined.
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until just combined; do not overmix. Fold in figs.
- With a spoon, spoon batter into muffin tins until about halfway full. Add 1 tsp. filling to each tin, and cover with more muffin batter. Make sure the cheese filling is fully covered.
- Bake muffins for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges start to brown.
- When finished, allow to cool for about 5 minutes before removing from the muffin tin and allowing to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
A few things worth mentioning. First, these muffins are wonderfully doughy – they have a consistency akin to that of a sticky bun and feel almost like a bread as opposed to a muffin…
The dough itself tastes faintly of honey and is only subtly sweet, complimenting the natural sweetness of the figs and making it stand out that much more. The saltiness of the goat cheese enhances that sweetness even further, while simultaneously doing what cheese does best – making things ooey, gooey, and all-together delicious. But don’t take my word for it – give these a try the next time the baking bug bites. It is, after all, the perfect season for that 😀
Can I make this muffin batter a day ahead of time, refrigerate, then bake? I wasn’t sure how the cheese would hold up in the batter overnight.
Just made these and wanted to share that even when you don’t fully follow directions – like folding the cheese mixture into the batter instead of putting in the center – they still turn out delicious! Great doughy consistency and perfect blend of flavors between the figs, honey, goat cheese, tangy Greek yogurt and the hint of orange zest. Brava!
This design is steller! You most certainly know how
to keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well,
almost…HaHa!) Great job. I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you
presented it. Too cool!
Goat cheese and figs – probably one of the best combos ever! Favorite fall spice: cinnamon also!
I made these for the second time today and in tweeking the ingredients just a little bit I’ve finally found the perfect combination of flavors (for me). I put a bit more goat cheese and a bit less honey. Perfect. I rarely make a recipe more than once but this one is just too good!
Awwr, well thanks for sharing that Annie! I’m glad you like them.
Omg I want to jump through my computer screen and eat those. Now!
Those look yummy!
“…they have a consistency akin to that of a sticky bun” <- HooooooLEEEEEEEY Mama!! You already had me with the goat cheese and figs, but damn girl, I'm over here drooling all over myself…even more since you first posted them on Instagram! Ha! These are definitely on the MUST MAKE list!!
And I'm right there with ya on the fall food and spice! Kabocha is KING!
OMG I saw fig and goat cheese in the title and had to open this link! These look soooo good!! I really need to try making these! Visiting from SITS Sharefest!
Karen @ Karen’s Soiree
Thanks for stopping by, Karen! 🙂
Ohmahgah. I saw you teasing with these on Instagram and knew the recipe wouldn’t let me down…I have something of a shameless addiction to figs. And I think baked into a muffin, I could even get my goat-cheese-wary husband on board. Can’t wait to try these!
These look and sounds AH-mazing!!
and my favorite fall flavor is cliche- but apples and pumpkin. Absolutely LOVE fall!! Wish it was around for longer!
these sound sooo freaking good!! I must find a way to make them gluten free.
Went out and bought goat’s cheese and dried figs today to make these – can’t wait! Amanda, do you think it would work to sub more oil or yoghurt for the apple sauce or will that compromise the flavour too much? Apple sauce is something I literally never eat otherwise, so (since I’m cheap) I don’t want to buy a whole jar just for 1/4 cup…
More oil would definitely work! The applesauce is mostly to help keep the muffins moist, so adding an additional 2 Tbsp. of oil would work just as well. Let me know how they turn out! 😀
Thanks! In the end I added another tbsp of oil and an extra dollop of yoghurt (ran out of olive oil…), and they turned out great! These are not going to last long, I’m staying at my mum’s at the moment and she loved them too… 🙂
Yum! I can’t believe I missed these, they look amazing!! The flavor combo has me drooling over here.
pinned and cant wait to try this.
that’s not an odd combo, it’s an amazing combo!!! my favorite too. And i have to say, i like delicata squash over kabocha. I know, i am a blogger rebel
This is the second time today I heard someone mention delicata as their favourite, and here I am never even having tried it…
well, i like it cause i can cut it in half, microwave it for 2 minutes then stuff some egg or tuna wih salsa in it and BAM it’s lunch
Did you make these specifically for me? Because you just combined 3 of my favourite flavours here! And I love that you put goat cheese into muffins. I’ve never seen that done before, but I imagine it is wonderful. 😀
I don’t think I can choose a favourite fall flavour… Pumpkin (combined with pumpkin pie spices), apple and cinnamon, squash, and chai are all my favourites!
*drooling* Fig AND goat cheese in muffin form??! I wish you lived closer but the next best thing is to just make these for myself – yum! As for fall things, I don’t know if I can narrow it down to just one scent or activity. I absolutely love everything fall! If I had to choose… pumpkin spice and cinnamon along with apple picking and fresh, hot cider. <3
You are one dangerous (full fat, sugar laden) cookie….This not only look amazing, but I’m already planning to make a double batch and omitting the honey from one batch and adding salt to make it more savory….
Favourite fall flavor- I hope cinnamon is a year round one! I’ll be absorbing all this Fall-ness through all of you guys. Oh, and since I just got pinterwst (utterly confused by it) I’m going to practice pinning this. Pinning is such a dumb word.
It’ll be part of your vocabulary soon enough 😛 Just like tweeting… and instagramming… and blogging.
I love anything fig!! Favorite fall flavor… chili and anything squash or pumpkin related! I want to go pick apples too… and make an apple crisp!
I think I’m like most people and enjoy cinammon-ey type things in the Fall 🙂 I also love the texture of melting marshmallows over my hot cocoa 🙂
well considering I am a sick obsession with goat cheese I imagine these are incredible! I don’t have any figs on hand…but I DO have dried dates? Maybe a good substitute? What do you think!
It would probably still come out just fine since dates are even sweeter than figs, and one of the best parts is the sweet and salty combo. You’d be missing out on the tiny little crunch from the fig seeds, but I bet they’d still taste amazing 🙂
Whoa. These kind of look just absolutely perfect.
Whenever something savory gets shared on your blog, I know it must be AMAZING. And these look out of this world! That flavor combination…oh my goodness.
Bookmarking this right now! Thank you, thank you. xoxox
I will have to try these on my next day off! I do love anything ooey and gooey. I made Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread today, but I might need to try out some other fall flavors besides my classic favorites pumpkin or apple.
I just found your blog and these muffins look amazing! I love the combo of goat cheese and figs! I’ll be pinning this for sure! Fall is probably one of my favorite seasons. I love everything about it…the leaves, chilly air, rain, apple picking and pumpkin everything (which is probably my favorite Fall flavor!).
Thanks for taking the time to say hi, Melissa 😀
good lawwddd woman! I wasn’t hungry until a second ago, thanks a lot! Now Im going to have dreams of muffins dancing in my head 😉
I never would have thought to add the goat cheese! These look amazing… figs are one of my favorites! I borrow a few from my neighbor’s tree when they aren’t looking. 🙂
Okay I ma definitely going to have to attempt a wheat-free version of these…maybe even with fresh figs while they are in season because I actually do like them fresh. 😉 Oh , and despite your hesitations, I can assure you the the dried fig and goat cheese combo is in fact fantastic on salad. A little honey vinaigrette and you’re set.
Ohhhh my goodness. How do you do it. This sounds SO amazing!!!!
I’m not into goat cheese, but I’m GIDDY over fall right with you, along with figs! I adore figs and those muffins look delish!:) Fall is just so incredible, right? I mean, does it really get any better? I almost get beside myself when I pull out a hoodie and some great boots. The sun sets, I settle in with a hot mug of cocoa or tea, an afghan, and I’m just all ready for a cozy night in. Add the night smell of a candle, and bake an acorn or kobocha squash in the oven, and you might as well sedate me I’m so happy:) I like to bake coconut pumpkin muffins with dried figs. That’s my favorite little fall treat. I also like pumpkin frosties made in the blender too:) YUM! Great recipe dear!
You basically just described every little thing I love about fall… and now I’m sitting here feeling al sorts of comfy cozy <3 And coconut pumpkin muffins sound amazing. If I wasn’t already getting so much beta carotene from kabocha, pumpkin would be the route I’d be going.
Ohhhh my word. Three of my favorite things put into one of my favorite little snacks. The doughiness of it makes it sound even more amazing! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Favorite fall flavor? Apple + cinnamon. I also really want to go apple picking since I’ve never gone before and it looks like such a fun activity to do with loved ones.