Sicilian Fig Torta

How lucky am I that I receive messages from people saying “Come get some figs”!    This time the figs are Sicilian, sweet as honey with a delicate, jammy center, they need very little to become something unforgettable. This rustic torta celebrates those beautiful figs the Italian way; simple ingredients, good olive oil, fresh lemon, and fruit that speaks for itself. Whether served for breakfast with coffee, as an afternoon treat, or as a light dessert after dinner, it's the kind of recipe that reminds us the best Italian cooking is often the simplest.

You will need:

For the Cake

1¾ cups all-purpose flour

1½ tsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp kosher salt

¾ cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs, room temperature

½ cup good-quality extra virgin olive oil

½ cup whole milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

Zest of 1 lemon

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

For the Topping

8–10 fresh Sicilian figs, halved or quartered depending on size

2 tbsp turbinado (raw) sugar

1 tbsp honey

2 tbsp chopped pistachios

Powdered sugar for serving

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch cake pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, whisk the sugar and eggs until pale and slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.

Slowly whisk in the olive oil until smooth. Add the milk, vanilla, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until combined. Do not overmix. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Arrange the figs cut-side up over the batter, gently pressing them in slightly. Drizzle with the honey, sprinkle on the pistachios, thensprinkle evenly with the turbinado sugar.

Bake for 40 min, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.

Cool in the pan for 15 minutes before removing the sides.

Slice and serve with a dusting of powdered sugar before serving ( optional).

Bella's Tip ❤️

This cake is even better the next day. The figs soften and their juices mingle with the olive oil, creating an incredibly tender crumb. Serve it slightly warm with whipped mascarpone, vanilla gelato, or simply alongside coffee or limoncello for a true taste of Italian dolce.