Warm figs bubbling over puffed eggs? My grandma would’ve called that a miracle-in-a-skillet. Fig Soufra is trending across Pinterest golden, creamy, lightly sweet, and blissfully easy. It’s a 20-minute, swoon-worthy bake requiring minimal prep and offers a beautiful finish. Like breakfast decided to wear a fancy dress.
This cozy, nostalgic dish feels like a cross between a souffle, bread pudding, and clafoutis. It’s built on eggs, milk, chopped dried figs, and a whisper of flour all common pantry ingredients. The custard puffs as it bakes, then gently deflates into a soft, golden dream. Effortless enough for Tuesdays, elegant enough for Sunday brunch. More guidance below!
I first tasted a rustic version wrapped in a tea towel and served with warm honey at my aunt’s countryside kitchen figs straight from her tree. Since then, I’ve tested at least six variations to land on this final texture: light, rich, and crisp in all the right places. Now I swear by the caramelized edges. That’s the magic trick and you’ll love it too.
Why You’ll Love Fig Soufra
Fig Soufra offers the perfect blend of sweet, creamy, and cozy. It reads like a dessert but eats like a warm breakfastthink buttery, crisp Fillo Pastry layered with ripe figs and a velvety custard. Here’s what makes this recipe worth bookmarking:
- Beginner-friendly: No fancy tools or advanced baking skills required. Even if you’ve never handled Fillo, this is a great first go!
- Impressively simple: Elegant enough to serve at brunch, but built from easy-to-find ingredients.
- Comforting: The warmth of softened figs and golden layers give off old-school charm, wrapped in modern flavor.
- Seasonal flexibility: Use what’s freshfigs are amazing, but pears or rehydrated dried figs work beautifully too.
Ingredients Breakdown
Everything here works double-dutyflavor and function. Let’s break it down:

Ingredient | Why It’s Important |
---|---|
375g Antoniou Fillo Pastry | Golden, paper-thin pastry that crisps delightfully and cradles the creamy custard and figs. |
150g unsalted butter | Brushed between pastry layers, it adds richness and helps brown the edges to perfection. |
6 fresh figs (thinly sliced) | The star of the dishnaturally sweet and earthy, ideal for contrast with creamy custard. |
Custard (cream, caster sugar, eggs, vanilla, fig jam) | This creamy base bakes into the Fillo, making each bite spoon-soft with just enough sweetness. |
Honey + pistachios | Drizzled and sprinkled post-bakesweet, sticky honey plus the crunch of pistachios seals the deal. |
Pro Tip: Always thaw your Fillo Pastry overnight in the fridge for best handling. Keep it covered with a damp cloth while working to prevent drying out.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Fig Soufra
You don’t need a pastry degree. This will take you from fridge to table drama-free in under an hour.
- Prep everything: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a medium-sized baking dish with melted butter.
- Build layers: Add one Fillo sheet at a time, brushing each with melted butter. Use 6–8 sheets. Let edges wrinkle slightly it gives character!
- Add fruit: Arrange fig slices evenly across the first Fillo layer.
- Make the custard: In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup cream, ⅓ cup caster sugar, 3 large eggs, 1 tsp vanilla, and 2 tbsp fig jam until smooth.
- Pour and bake: Carefully pour custard mixture over the figs and pastry. Bake for 35–40 minutes, until it’s golden on top and just set in the center.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from oven, drizzle with honey, and sprinkle with crushed pistachios. Serve warm it’s when the texture shines most.
Note: Fillo browns quickly. Keep a close eye during the final 5 minutes of bake time to avoid over-darkening.
Timing Guide
Task | Time |
---|---|
Prep Fillo and figs | 10 minutes |
Make custard | 5 minutes |
Bake | 35–40 minutes |
Drizzle and garnish | 2 minutes |
Swaps and Troubleshooting
Kitchen hiccups happen here’s how to improvise without sacrificing flavor:
- Out of fresh figs? Use chopped dried figs (rehydrated in warm water for 10 minutes) or substitute with soft ripe pears for a similar texture and sweetness.
- Custard too runny? Be sure to fully whisk the custard mixture. Let the Soufra bake until the center jiggles slightly but isn’t liquid.
- Fillo tearing? Totally okay! Layer additional sheets as needed. It won’t ruin the bake, and the top gets delightfully crisp and rustic anyway.
Substitute | Use Instead |
---|---|
Fresh figs | Rehydrated dried figs or ripe pears |
Vanilla bean paste | Same amount of vanilla extract |
Thickened cream | Half-and-half (though the custard will be slightly lighter) |
Pro Tip: Cover unused Fillo sheets with a clean, damp kitchen towel at all times to prevent cracking and dryness.
Serving and Storing Fig Soufra
This dish is best enjoyed fresh from the oven but handles leftovers gracefully. Use these tips for best results:
- To serve: Garnish with honey just before serving. For a breakfast vibe, add Greek yogurt or crème fraîche on the side.
- To store: Cool completely, cover with foil or an airtight lid, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat at 300°F (150°C) for 10–15 min to restore crispness.
Storage Method | How Long It Lasts |
---|---|
Refrigerator | Up to 3 days |
Freezer | Not recommended Fillo will become soggy |
Expert Insight: The Charm of Fig Soufra
This dish celebrates the simplicity of Mediterranean cooking with its use of fresh, staple ingredients. The combination of sweet figs and buttery pastry, lifted by the creamy custard, feels indulgent without the complexity. Like many time-tested traditional recipes, its magic lies in texture and balance crisp edges, soft center, and warm spice tones. It’s humble and gourmet at once.
For more delicious recipes and cooking inspiration, follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Reddit!
Finding the Perfect Fig Soufra
This recipe didn’t come together in one go. There were batches that baked flat, and one version that tasted more like fig jam casserole. But after multiple tweaks including the fig-to-custard ratio and layering technique this version struck gold. Flavor-forward but not fussy, sweet but balanced. It’s now my Sunday morning staple, slightly dressed up with cardamom or rosewater when I’m feeling fancy.
FAQs ( Fig Soufra )

Wrapping Up Your Fig Soufra Adventure
Fig Soufra has that rare ability to feel both nostalgic and new. With golden Fillo pastry, sweet roasted figs, honeyed finishes, and a custardy center, it’s a bake that blooms on your fork. Whether it’s a brunch centerpiece or a cozy after-dinner surprise, it’s sure to be remembered.
If figs aren’t your thing or they’re out of season, swap in juicy pears or rehydrated dates. Want to add your twist? Cinnamon, orange zest, or cardamom do wonders. Reheat leftovers gently and savor them again the crisp Fillo deserves a little extra care.
Most of all, enjoy the process. No pressure for perfection here. Just time in the kitchen and something beautiful at the end. If you try this Fig Soufra, tag me or drop a note I’d love to see what delicious memories you make.

Fig Soufra: Irresistibly Easy and Delicious Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Brush a large baking dish with some melted butter.
- Layer half the fillo pastry sheets in the dish, brushing each sheet with melted butter.
- Combine thickened cream, caster sugar, eggs, vanilla bean paste, and fig jam in a bowl; whisk until smooth.
- Evenly pour the custard mixture over the layered pastry.
- Arrange sliced figs evenly over the custard.
- Top with remaining fillo pastry sheets, brushing each with melted butter.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden and set.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.
- Drizzle honey over the top and sprinkle with chopped pistachios before serving.
Notes
- Use ripe fresh figs for the best flavor. Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated.