Baking for Beginners: Fig and Walnut Squares

The tray bake is the lazy-ass baker's best friend. No need for icing, no need for very much at all, really. Just mix, bake, and eat. It doesn't even matter if your squares are a little bit wonky.

This fig and walnut tray bake has had a few mishaps along the way. The first attempt wasn't great - too figgy, too eggy, too everythingy (this didn't stop my housemates from eating it all). The second not sweet or spiced enough (I hate cloves, but I compromised with allspice and it works really well). One final bit of tweaking this morning and it's pretty great now. The texture is perfect - chewy figs, crunchy nuts and crispy edges to go perfectly with a squidgy cake.

Fig and Walnut Squares (makes about 20)

You'll need:

• 200g caster sugar
• 2 eggs
• 100g plain flour
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger (you could use more, I just had a bit left so decided to throw it in)
• 50g butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 200g dried figs
• 200g walnut halves

Make it!

• Grease a small baking tray and preheat your oven for 180 degrees.
• Mix your eggs and sugar until they're thick and pale.
• Sift the flour and spices into the egg mixture, beat in the butter and vanilla extract.
• Chop up the figs and break up your walnut halves and fold them into your batter.
• Once it's all mixed up, pour into your tray and smooth into the corners.
• Bake for 25 minutes or so until the top of the cake is golden brown and the edges are crisping.
• When it's cooled slightly, slice into squares. Then take them into your office and impress everyone.