Grilled Fig Dessert

By Todd Martin August 21, 2024 4 mins read 113 Views

This grilled fig dessert with mascarpone and honey is simple and delicious. The flavors and texture are perfectly balanced, and it’s an impressive dessert to serve at dinner parties and BBQs.

Fig season typically falls between July and October, so if you can get your hands on some fresh figs, try this grilled fig dessert. This five-ingredient recipe is a great starting point for those new to grilling fruits.

How to select fresh figs

If you’re new to grilling figs, choosing the right ones may seem challenging, but it’s actually easier than you think. When shopping for figs, we recommend doing a light squeeze test. The perfect figs feel slightly soft when pressure is applied. Avoid hard, unripe ones, as well as over-ripe soft figs with loose stems. The softer they are, the less they can withstand the intense heat of a grill.

Ingredients

Fresh figs
Mascarpone cheese
Warmed honey: use plain or flavored honey like rose, cardamom, or lavender honey.
Mint leaves: for garnish
Neutral flavored oil (vegetable, canola, etc.)
Skewers (presoak wooden skewers in lukewarm water for 30 minute before using)

How to make it

Preparation: Preheat your grill to 375 degrees F or medium-high heat.
Gently rinse the fresh figs under cold water and blot dry with paper towels.
Cut off the stems and cut each fig in half vertically.
Thread 5 of the halves lengthwise onto each skewer.
Grease the grates using a folded paper towel dipped in oil secured in outdoor cooking tongs.
Grilling: Place skewered figs onto the grill, cut side down, and cook for 3-5 minutes, depending on the thickness and size of the fruit.
Do not overcook.
Finishing Touches: Remove skewered figs from the grill and place them onto a cutting board.
Warming the honey in the microwave for 20-25 seconds will make it easier to drizzle over the dessert.
To assemble the grilled fig dessert, place 5 figs on a dessert plate or in a small bowl with 2 tablespoons of the mascarpone in the center. Drizzle with warmed honey and garnish with mint sprigs.

grilled fig dessert 2 — derrickriches.com

Tips

Toppings: This grilled fig dessert recipe calls for mascarpone cheese, which is a creamy neutral-flavored dairy topping. However, you can substitute it with flavored yogurt, vanilla ice cream, or whipped cream. For vegan option, use a dairy substitute made out of cashew or coconut cream.
Honey: We used plain honey for these grilled figs, but you can certainly use fruit-based or lavender honey as well. If you’d like to replace the honey altogether, use chocolate or caramel ice cream topping or a vegan honey substitute like real maple syrup or agave nectar.

Like this grilled fig dessert? Try our Plank Grilled Brie with Fig Preserves and our Smoked Cream Cheese Dessert recipes!

Best BBQ Dessert Recipes

Grilled Fig Dessert

This recipe is super versatile. Take advantage of fig season with this delicious grilled fig dessert recipe!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American BBQ, Fusion

Keyword fig dessert, grilled figs

Prep Time 18

Cook Time 4

Total Time 22

Servings

Calories 408kcal

Author Sabrina Baksh

Ingredients

10 large firm figs
1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
1/4-1/3 cup warmed honey (plain, rose, cardamom, or lavender honey all work well)
4-8 mint leaves
1/4 cup oil
4 skewers (metal recommended)

Instructions

Preheat grill for medium high heat or 375 degrees F.
Gently wash figs and gently blot dry with paper towels. Cut off stems and cut each in half vertically. Run carefully onto skewers; about 5 fig halves per skewer. Set onto a cutting board until ready to place onto the grill.
Once grill has reached full heat, oil the grill grates using oil, a pair of large tongs, and a folded paper towel. Grasp folded paper towel with tongs, dip into oil and apply across the grill grates. This will create a non-stick surface. Do this 3 times.
Place skewered figs onto grill cut side down and let cook for 3-4 minutes, depending on thickness and size fruit. The object is to get a few grill marks and caramelize the surface.
Remove skewers from the grill and place onto a cutting board. Warm the honey in the microwave for 20-25 seconds.
To assemble, place 5 figs onto a plate, with 2 tablespoons of the mascarpone in the center. Drizzle with warmed honey and garnish with mint. If so inclined, chop the mint and sprinkle over top. This option depends on the flavor of honey used. So, keep this mind. Serve dessert immediately.

Notes

Things to consider:

Topping: This recipe calls for mascarpone cheese, which a creamy neutral flavored topping. However you can use flavored yogurt, ice cream, or whipped cream. For vegan option, use a dairy substitute made out of cashew or coconut cream.

Honey: I use a plain honey for this recipe, but you can certainly use a fruit based or lavender honey as well. If you’d like to replace the honey altogether, then use a vegan honey substitute, a drizzle of real maple syrup, or agave nectar.