The late summer harvest time is here, and figs and pears are plentiful.  With the Cottonport Quilt Festival around the corner on September 12th and 13th, I have selected a few recipes from the “Quilters Cook” on sale for $10.00 at the Cottonport Museum and Cultural Center.  These are simple recipes because the quilters wanted to make these quickly or ahead of time to bring over to the quilting party, where of course the coffee and conversations were already started.  Enjoy.

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Fig Bars by Eloise Guillory

Sweet Dough Ingredients

5 Cups Flour
2 Cups Sugar
1 Cup Shortening
2 Eggs
1 Cup Milk
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
2 Teaspoons Vanilla

Cream sugar, Crisco, add eggs.  Add milk, flour, baking powder, soda and vanilla.

Filling Ingredients

4 Cups Pecans
1 Box Raisins
1 Quart Fig Preserves

Put pecans, raisins and fig preserves in food processor and pulse until mixed.

Roll out a portion of sweet dough and spread some of filling onto dough.  Roll like a log, then flatten out and cut in about three inch pieces. Repeat until all dough and filling is used. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. Optional:  Make an icing with powdered sugar and water (color icing if desired for holidays).  After cookies are cooled, coat cookies with icing.  And top with sprinkles.

Pear Cake by Lee Gauthier

3 Cups Fresh Pears (or Preserves)
2 1/2 Flour
2 Cups Sugar
3/4 Cups Cooking Oil
2 Eggs
1 Cup Pecans, Chopped
2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1 Teaspoon Salt

Cream oil, sugar and eggs, add vanilla.  Add dry ingredients.  Add pecans and pears and mix thoroughly.  Pour into prayed loaf or Bundt pan and bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.  Let cool then glaze with 1 cup powdered sugar mixed with 1 teaspoon fruit juice.

Quilters Cook, recipes by Cottonport Museum Ladies Quilt Group, is also available at the Avoyelles Tourism Gift Shop located at 8592 Highway 1 in Mansura. Visit us online at  www.travelavoyelles.com or call (800) 833-4195.