A hundred years ago, fresh fruit was scarce during the long winter months, so pies were often made using dried fruit. I found a wonderful recipe for a Fig Meringue Pie in a 1919 cookbook. The delectable fig filling is topped with a creamy meringue.
Here’s the original recipe:
And, here’s the recipe updated for modern cooks:
Fig Meringue Pie
12 ounces dried figs
1 1/2 cups water
2 eggs separated
2 tablespoons sugar + 4 tablespoons sugar + a small amount of additional sugar
dash salt
1 8-inch (small) baked pie crust
Remove stems from figs, then chop. (There should be approximately 2 1/2 cups of chopped figs.) Put chopped figs in a saucepan, add water. Bring to a boil using high heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes while stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
In the meantime, preheat oven to 325° F. Place egg yolks, 2 tablespoons sugar, and salt in a bowl; beat together. Place a small amount (approximately 1 – 2 tablespoons) of hot fig mixture into bowl with beaten egg mixture, stir quickly to prevent eggs from coagulating. Then put this mixture in the saucepan with the cooked figs while stirring. Return to heat (medium), and cook until the mixture thickens while stirring continuously. Pour into a pie shell which had been previously baked.
In a separate bowl make the meringue. Place egg whites in the bowl, and beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks. Gradually add 4 tablespoons sugar while continuing to beat. Then spoon on top of the pie and swirl; sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 20 minutes or until the meringue is lightly browned.
A Hundred Years Ago 
This looks so delicious.
It was tasty.
I never would have thought of using figs for a pie, and a meringue pie at that. It sounds interesting, and it does sound like a winter pie.
My sense is that meringue pies were much more popular a hundred years ago than what they are now. I see quite a few recipes for them in old cookbooks.
Figs in a pie? How trippy is that! Was the filling like the inside of a Fig Newton?
Yes, it’s very similar. The filling is tasty, but filling. (Oh dear, I used the word “filling” in two ways in that sentence. Hopefully it made sense.). I cut this pie into fairly small pieces.
This looks delicious!
It’s yummy.
That’s a great find! I love figs in any form, so would definitely love this pie. 🙂
If you like figs, you’d definitely like this recipe.
Definitely on my “to try soon” list. 🙂
Oh that looks so good! I need to go past it — too tempting with so much sugar. But I can dream, can’t I?
Definitely – sometimes I think that virtually enjoying food via blogs is the best way. 🙂
Looks delicious. We like fig Newton cookies so I would imagine we would like this pie. 💕💕💕
If you like fig newtons, you’d enjoy this pie. The pie filling tastes very similar to the filling in fig newtons.
I saved the recipe! 💕
I have never heard of fig pie. It looks delicious. I have not seen a fig in many years. Hugs
At the store where I usually shop, figs are with the raisins, prunes, and other dried fruits.
Thanks, I will see if I can find some around here. I like figs.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed that the stores where you shop carry them.
Thanks
When I was growing up, we had several fig trees. We ate them all and never thought of buying dried ones. This pie sounds interesting.
It sounds absolutely wonderful to have several fig trees. A couple years ago, while on vacation, we stayed at a house with a fig tree. It was the first time, I’d ever seen a fig tree; and, it was real treat to be able to go out each morning and eat several figs.
I’m glad you had a chance to eat fresh figs. There is nothing else quite like them.
Sheryl, I love figs fresh or dried. This looks so good, I will try it!
I think that you’d enjoy this pie. It’s yummy.
What a fantastic old recipe! I love making them too. Thank you for sharing it!
Vintage recipes are so much fun!
Looks delicious! Will make it soon!
It’s tasty.
I can’t imagine what a fig pie would tastes like. The only figs I ever encountered was in the delightful cookie ‘Fig Newtons’. I bet your pie was a unique flavor and a tasty treat. 😀
If you like the filling in Fig Newtons, you’ll like this pie. The pie filling reminds me a lot of the filling in Fig Newtons.
I would never have thought of this…I love figs fresh and dried 🙂 x
I really like the nuanced sweetness of figs. I tend to think that they are an under-utilized fruit.
I think they are, Sheryl maybe between us we should get some more fig recipes out there?
hmm. . . maybe I’ll have to look for some more fig recipes in my old cookbooks. 🙂
I will see what I find as well 🙂
You find the most interesting old recipes! I’ve never heard of a fig meringue pie before, but it looks quite good!
It’s delicious. Some really tasty dried fruit recipes have been largely lost as we shift to using fresh fruit year round. A hundred years ago dried fruits were more commonly used in pies (especially during the winter months) than what they are today due to the transportation challenges of shipping fresh fruits long distances.
I’m gonna have to try out this recipe when the figs ripen this summer. I dry some figs for cookie filling,never thought to try pie. Love figs fresh or dried!
If you like figs, you’ll enjoy this recipe. 🙂
I miss the days of being home with small children and making all of our meals from scratch. This pie looks delish!
There’s something special about making meals from scratch. 🙂
That looks….strange….. 🙂
It’s rich – but very good. If you like figs and meringue, I think that you’d like it.
I haven’t heard of fig pie. Sounds really interesting.
I hadn’t either until I saw it in a 1919 cookbook. My husband and I liked the pie when I made it. It makes me wonder why some foods lose their popularity over the years.
I bet that was a treat to eat. I bet it would be quite delicious. Figs are so sweet. Did it have the seeds? That’s a good point about some foods losing popularity. I am kind of curious as to why they do as well.
Figs and meringue! Yum, they’re two of my favourite things but I’ve never thought of putting them together.
I think that you’d really like this recipe. It tasty.
When i was a child my Mom used to make lemon meringue pies every Saturday. I can bring the smell forward from my memories. I’ve never heard of fig meringue pie but I do love figs. Seems like a great combination.
It’s nice to hear that this post brought back some warm memories. You have a wonderful way with words. I love the phrase, “I can bring the smell forward from my memories.”
This sounds delicious. My mouth is watering. Too bad I’d be the only one in the family to eat it.
I wish that I could virtually send you a piece. 🙂
🙂