This Easy Fig Jam Recipe Will Put You In The Mood For Fall

easy fig jam recipe for fall

Jam is one of those treats that tastes good year-round. Spread strawberry jam on a piece of toast and you have a yummy early summer breakfast, and trust us when we say jalapeño jam tastes uh-maze-ing on a burger. (Yes, a burger!!) One recipe we really can't wait to make is fig jam.

Because of its nuttiness, this fig jam is great for anyone who's craving fall flavors but can't break out the fall dressesquite yet. Especially since (as the viral TikTok sound says), it "adds a little bit of spice." Not only are figs delicious as snacks, meals, and desserts, but they've also got fiber, Vitamins A and C, calcium, and anti-inflammatory properties.

What does fig jam taste like?

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Figs are a fruit most commonly grown in Turkey, Egypt, and Algeria. They're thick and gooey, which make them the perfect ingredient for a sweet and sticky jam! They have a good balance of tart and sweet, but also taste more earthy than bright the way something like a lemon does.

What other foods can I use fig jam with?

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Like other jams and preserves, fig jam can be used as a condiment on salty or rich foods. It makes for a delicious addition to a cheese board, biscuits or toast, or as a sandwich spread. If you love to bake pastries, you can use it for crêpes, tarts, and pies.

What flavors go well with figs?

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Once you figure out what kind of food you want to eat with fig jam, you can work in other delicious flavors to create the ultimate dining experience. Because fig jam is a little bit more neutral (thanks to that earthy nuttiness we mentioned earlier), it works with a variety of different flavors.

Pair it with other fruits like apples and melons, or salty snacks like nuts, seeds, and crackers. You can also try it with some bitter chocolate!

What is the difference between fig jam and fig preserves?

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Think of jam vs. preserves like smooth vs. chunky peanut butter. Usually, jam is made with mashed fruit while preserves use larger or whole pieces of fruit. Because of preserves' thicker consistency, they usually feature fruit pieces (like chunky peanut butter features peanut bits!).

Do figs have a lot of pectin?

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Officially (and by officially, I mean according to Web MD), pectin is "a soluble fiber (polysaccharide) found in fruits." But that just means it's a starchy thickener. Since it is a thickener, it's great for making jams and preserves more gelatinous.

Figs don't have a lot of pectin, which is why this fig jam recipe calls for sugar.

How To Make Fig Jam

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups (around 2 pounds) of ripe figs, stemmed and quartered
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions:

  1. In a large saucepan, combine the figs, sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon.
  2. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
  3. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the figs are soft and the jam has thickened.
  4. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  5. Pour the jam into clean jars and seal tightly.
  6. Let the jam cool completely before storing in the refrigerator.
This fig jam recipe will give you around four cups of jam. If you want to make sure your jam is on the thinner side, cut up your figs into smaller pieces.
Like all recipes, our go-to tip is to figure out what customizations will make it even better. Do you love fall spices? Add cloves as well as cinnamon. Need to cut back on sweets? Nix the sugar. This is one recipe that is super easy to make even better for you and your lifestyle.

Follow us on Pinterest for more delicious recipes, and let us know what you think about this fig jam in the comments!

This recipe was generated by Google's Bard AI. Lead image generated with AI using Midjourney.

Whether you're looking for a sweet treat to snack on this fall or are desperately craving a little Starbucks fall pick-me-up, pumpkin spice banana bread is the answer. It's super easy to make, tastes just like your favorite bakery treat, plus it's helpful for using up some bananas that might have been left out on the counter for too long!

Polina Tankilevitch / PEXELS

Banana bread – you know and love it – but it becomes a thousand times tastier when you tweak the recipe to accommodate the best fall flavor of them all: pumpkin spice! This loaf earns its pumpkin-y effect from pumpkin puree and a medley of warm spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Your home will smell like absolute comfort once you pop the bread in the oven to bake.

Craig Dennis / PEXELS

All of the ingredients for this pumpkin spice banana bread recipe should be pretty easy to find inside your pantry and/or the aisles at the store, so you won't have to fret about whipping it up on the spot. This pumpkin spice banana bread makes the perfect fall breakfast to enjoy alongside a PSL, but it's also a great shareable treat to bring to fall or Halloween potlucks! Whatever your fall plans are, make sure one of them is baking up this tasty pumpkin spice banana bread.

Ingredients for Pumpkin Spice Banana Bread

Kezia Lynn / PEXELS

  • 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2-3 bananas)
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (canned is fine, but if you want extra points, you can use homemade)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Banana Bread

Moe Venz / PEXELS

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas, pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil (or melted butter), eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.

Kezia Lynn / PEXELS

4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly.
6. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. After it's done, allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then remove it from the pan and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy!

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When it comes to New Year's Eve celebrations, the first thought that probably springs to mind is boozing it up with an NYE cocktail. And while there's nothing wrong with sipping some bubbly (if that's your inclination), those of us who prefer to keep thingsnon-alc may feel like there are no New Year's-appropriate activities for our preferences. We say that nothing could be further from the truth! Whether you're pregnant, abstaining, or just taking a break from the booze, here are 10 fun ideas for ringing in 2025, the sober way.

Attend A Silent Disco

A few years ago, just as the sober-curious movement was gaining steam, companies like Daybreaker brought 6 a.m. sober dance parties to the masses. In a similar vein are remote silent discos – events where you put your headphones on and dance it out to the music of world-class DJs right in the comfort of your own home (or in person, if you feel like venturing out).

A quick Google search will reveal that there are tons of options to shake it off on New Year's Eve, whether remotely or in-person in your city. Because silent discos have an alternative vibe, they're much more sober-friendly than traditional clubs and dance parties.

Make A Tea Bar

Photo by Jill Wellington / PEXELS

If you've ever been to a party where they had aProsecco bar or something similar, you know how fun themed bars can be. Why not make a NA equivalent with a tea bar? We're not just talking about hot water and tea bags... include exciting staples like bubble tea, kombucha, Southern-style sweet iced tea, and more!

Do A Goal-Setting Ritual

Brit + Co

Not in the mood to party this year? Celebrate the New Year with some introspection by doing a goal-setting ritual. You can design the ritual in whatever manner you like, but we recommend something along the lines of:

  • Light a candle and sit quietly for a few minutes.
  • Whip out your journal and take inventory of the last year: What were your best memories? What are you grateful for? Where do you think you could've improved?
  • In your journal (we have some killer prompts to start you off), mindfully list out your goals for 2025. They don't have to be New Year's resolutions, exactly, but include small steps you can take in the new year to help you achieve your goals!

Make A 2025 Scrapbook

Brit + Co

Before New Year's Eve, head to your local craft store and pick up some supplies for making an old-fashioned scrapbook. Print out some photos from your most treasured memories of the year (we like printing with Walgreens), and gather any magazines you purchased or journal entries you wrote.

You can also look up some news headlines that made an impact on you, and print out the article as well as photos of any notable celebs or politicians who made the news. On New Year's eve, put together a scrapbook of what made 2024, 2024.

Good, bad, or otherwise, the year was one to remember — so create a momento that will help you re-live the past year in the years to come.

Plan A Costume Party

Brit + Co

Believe it or not, masquerade balls, dressing up in costumes, and concealing one's identity have a long history in the historical celebrations of Christmastime. So we think a New Year's costume party is a fully appropriate idea for a sober New Year's Eve.

Who needs booze to have fun when you can dress up as whoever you want for a night of merriment and mystery?

Karaoke It Up

Photo by Mikhail Nilov / PEXELS

Another fun party pastime that's fun with or without booze? Singing! Grab some friends for a sober karaoke night either at your house or a private karaoke room. The singing's bound to be better than it would be if you were imbibing... who knows, maybe you'll steal the show with your rendition of "I'm Just Ken."

Cook A Fancy Meal

Whether you're spending the evening with your S/O or your BFF, cook a fancydinner for two. New Year's Eve is the perfect time to get fancy with food, so use this opportunity to ring in 2025 with only the finest cuisine. Don't forget to make a mocktail to go with!

Host A Game Night

Brit + Co

Bring all your besties over and host a board game night that's sure to be one for the books. Have everyone bring their favorite game – from Cards Against Humanity to Codenames – for a riotous evening that will remind you that you absolutely don't need booze to have a rowdy night of laughter!

Play 2024 Trivia

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Before New Year's Eve, compile a long list of trivia questions about 2024. Alternatively, have a friend do it for you, or do a quick Google search... there are a lot of trivia quizzes out there. On the big night, gather your squad together to see how much you remember about 2024. The results may surprise you!

Host A Murder-Mystery Dinner

Image via Amazon

Murder-mystery dinners are still one of the best ways to facilitate a heart-racing and mind-boggling party. Pick up one of the many murder mystery dinner kits out there and have your besties over for a night of thinking on your toes — to be fair, it's probably best to skip the booze for this idea anyway, for the sake of your mental acuity.

Are you planning a sober New Year's Eve party this year? Tweet us @BritandCo to share your plans, and don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more booze-free hacks and party ideas!

Brit + Co. may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations. This post has been updated.

Turns out, Taylor Swift has quite the knack for baking. Her most famous recipe is for chai sugar cookies – it makes its rounds just about every year when cozy season (AKA “evermore” season) rolls around. The season has officially started, and instead of marveling at others' creations like I’ve done in years past, I finally decided to tackle the Taylor Swift chai cookies this fall.

The original food blogger (in which Taylor adapted her recipe from), Joy the Baker, notes that these cookies are totally “chewy and tender,” and “perfect for the autumn girlie aesthetic” – just the energy I need from a seasonal sweet treat!

I followed Taylor Swift’s chai cookies recipe as closely as I could, and I was starstruck, honestly, by how painless they were to make! Plus, they came out insanely tasty. Read on as I tackle the ultimatefall dessert recipe and stay tuned for my findings.

Meredith Holser

Enjoying a chai cookie with some hot tea, as Taylor intended! This combo will literally be the best culinary experience you have at home this fall.

The recipe for Taylor Swift's chai cookies is fairly straightforward. All you need to do is measure out and combine every ingredient into a large bowl and mix it all together! After chilling the dough for an hour or so, you'll be ready to roll it into balls before baking in the oven. All in all, making the chai cookies took me under an hour – so this could make for a great weeknight baking project, or a weekend activity to beat a cold-weather slump. I've made them several times for friends' parties!

Ingredients For Taylor Swift's Chai Sugar Cookies

Reddit

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • ½ cup vegetable oil (I used olive oil, since I didn’t have any vegetable oil)
  • ½ cup white sugar, plus more for topping
  • ½ cup powdered sugar, plus more for the icing
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups flour
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 chai tea bag, plus more for the icing

How To Make The Taylor Swift Chai Cookies

Meredith Holser

Rolling the cookie dough in sugar before baking them was a really sweet extra touch.

  1. Set your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a cookie sheet and set aside.
  2. While the oven warms, beat the butter in a large bowl. After it gets fluffy, add the vegetable oil.
  3. Add the sugar, powdered sugar, egg, and vanilla.
  4. Add the flour, baking soda, salt, and the chai tea to the bowl, and mix.
  5. Chill the dough for about an hour.
  6. Pour a small amount of white sugar onto a plate, for rolling the cookie dough in.
  7. Roll the dough into 12 balls using your hands, covering each one in the white sugar before placing them on your cookie sheet.
  8. Bake for “9ish” minutes. I ended up baking them for 10.
  9. While the cookies are baking, make your chai icing – mix together a small amount (I used about ½ cup) of powdered sugar and half of a chai tea bag. Adding a capful of milk at a time, stir together until you reach your desired icing consistency.
  10. When the cookies are done and completely cool, cover the tops with the chai icing. Then you’re ready to dig in!

Meredith Holser

The cookie dough didn't need too long in the oven to bake – about 12 minutes for me!

Recipe notes:

  • For step 1, pro tip: use the wrapper from your butter to grease your cookie sheet!
  • For step 2, I used an electric hand mixer to beat the butter – much less physical work on the baker’s part.
  • For step 4, I found that mixing with a fork helped incorporate the mixture really well. I then used a rubber spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl that I missed.
  • For step 5, I didn’t end up chilling the dough, but the cookies turned out just fine!
  • For step 8, Taylor’s recipe says to bake for 9 minutes, but I found I had to bake mine a little longer, around 12 minutes. This might be because I baked them at a higher altitude here in Colorado!

Meredith Holser

Voila! Now you can treat yourself like Taylor Swift would! Happy baking!

Loved this Taylor Swift chai cookies recipe? Try baking our chai latte cupcakes, chocolate-pumpkin banana bread, or a yummy apple cider cake!

Photos by Meredith Holser.

This post has been updated.

As fun as Trader Joe’s snacks and desserts are, there’s one aisle you definitely should not skip – and that’s their plant section. Trader Joe’s is constantly stocking up on blooms like orchids and monsteras, all of which are easy to take care of once they make it home from the store.

Any houseplant lover knows the easiest of all easy houseplants is the famed pothos. I can water mine (I have about 5 pothos plants) once every two weeks, and they will. not. die. Right now, Trader Joe’s is selling pothos for cheap – but not just any pothos. They currently come along with a stunning hanging pot that you’ll instantly want to put up in your home.

Scroll on to discover more about this unique Trader Joe’s plant find!

@traderjoesobsessed

That’s right – Trader Joe’s shelves now include disco ball hanging planters. I repeat: disco ball hanging planters! The sphere-shaped pot is covered in reflective disco tiles that’ll certainly make your living room feel like a dance club. The best part is that pothos plants naturally look amazing when they’re grown hanging, so you can watch this baby flourish all year long.

@traderjoesobsessed

TJ’s fan account @traderjoesobsessed recently spotted the disco ball hanging planters at their local Trader Joe’s and shared the new find with their Instagram followers. Tons of them chimed in about their excitement for the product in the comments!

“I need this now😍,” one person commented.

“The way I gasped when I saw this 😍🪩,” another said.

“I bought one today and totally love it👍,” someone else commented.

“I suddenly need to buy more plants,” one more person wrote.

Several shoppers in the comment section noted that they were able to track down the disco ball hanging planters pretty easily, while others reported that they haven’t seen them in their stores quite yet. This is your sign to keep an eye out on your next TJ’s trip!

Reddit

@traderjoesobsessed reports that the disco ball hanging planters go for $12.99 in stores. Their affordable price makes them such a great gift for yourself or a loved one, plus the sparkles on the disco ball are perfect for livening up your space for a New Year’s refresh.

Run to TJ’s soon – I know I will!

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By now, you may be able to recognize signs of gaslighting or other toxicbehaviors, but do you know how to take everything you've learned and become a super compatible couple? According to experts, there are a few key things super compatible couples rarely argue about — even with whatever faults each person brings to the relationship table. While the topics these couples avoid may not surprise you, the reason why they're able to avoid them might. But first, let's talk about what makes couples more compatible than others.

Dr. Brooke Keels, Ph.D., LPC-MHSP, LPC-Supervisor, Chief Clinical Officer at Lighthouse Recovery, has this to say: "Couples are compatible when they share similar values, goals, and know the best way to communicate with each other." Notice she didn't say these couples are just alike.

More so, she explains that "it's about how well they handle differences, whether they can support each other through tough times, and how they connect emotionally." Dr. Keels adds, "when there’s respect, trust, and a good balance of give-and-take between them?" Dr. Keels believes this gives couples a better chance "to be in sync."

Scroll down to see the topics you'll rarely hear compatible couples arguing about!

RDNE Stock project

1. Long-term goals like marriage aren't often a cause for concern.

Have you ever dated someone that made you wonder what you saw in them once you pay attention to certain red flags? You may have found yourself arguing with them about everything from religion to reproductive health, leaving you feeling dizzy afterwards. But Dr. Keels says compatible couples are more likely to be aligned on "whether they want the same things out of life."

Her examples include:

  • Relocating for careers
  • Family planning
  • Finding somewhere to settle down in general (i.e. apartment, condo, different state, close to family, etc.,)

"This common ground lessens the chance of fighting over these big topics," Dr. Keels reiterates.

Vlada Karpovich

2. There's a lesser chance arguments about weekend activities occur.

We're no strangers to indecisive moments where we couldn't agree about what to do on the weekends with our partners, but Dr. Keels says compatible couples don't always run into this issue. "When you enjoy similar activities or have overlapping hobbies, you're more like to find ways to unwind together, rather than feeling disconnected or frustrated by each other's choices," she adds.

While it varies from couple to couple, you and your partner may enjoy the following:

  • Buying tickets to watch the latest college basketball or football game
  • Going to a 'Paint and Sip' class for fun
  • Having a mini outdoor picnic
  • Visiting a national park if it's on your couple's bucket list
  • Spending a day at a local arcade

The possibilities are endless, but all that matters is that "this mutual understanding makes spending time together feel natural and fun," according to Dr. Keels.

Mikhail Nilov

3. Communication styles aren't causing a daily disruption.

Some people have a more direct way of communicating while others may be passive or even passive-aggressive. Less arguments aren't happening because compatible couples communicate the same however. "When they both understand each other's communication style — whether it's direct or more subtle — it helps avoid misunderstandings and frustration."

Here's a couple of examples:

  • If you're having a bad day that has nothing to do with your partner, they don't take it personal when you prefer some alone time.
  • If your partner says something they perceived to be a joke, but you didn't, you're less likely to immediately accuse them of being insensitive. Instead, there's a higher chance of asking what they mean by something and expressing why you didn't like it instead of arguing.

Compatible couples "know how to express their feelings and needs in a way that the other person can easily understand" which makes "it easier to resolve issues calmly," according to Dr. Keels.

Alex Green

Are couples better (or more compatible) because they don't have a lot of arguments?

Well, no. That's actually a stretch because everyone has arguments. "Even compatible couples can argue about everyday things like chores or schedules. No matter how well they get along or how "in sync" they are, little annoyances can still pop up here and there, and cause some tension between them," Dr. Keels shares. "The difference," she points out, "is that they're usually better at handling these moments and keeping them from turning into bigger problems."

The other thing she's seen couples argue about is money. "It's such a common stress point because everyone has different habits and priorities when it comes to spending or saving," she says. But, guess what? "Compatible couples tend to approach the conversation with more understanding and a willingness to find a compromise," she continues.

If you feel like you and your partner aren't on the same page, it may not be time to break up just yet. We've learned that that it can take time to effectively communicate with a romantic partner or understand them. Compatibility is great, but it's not an indicator that a relationship will be smooth sailing!

Keira Burton

How can I have healthier disagreements with my partner?

Like we said, getting to a point where you and your partner aren't consistently hurting each other's feelings during disagreements takes time as well as skill. No one's born knowing all the answers so don't think your relationship is over because you're still figuring things out.

Dr. Keels says one way you and your partner can work on the kind of disagreements you're having is by "knowing how to communicate/compromise." Look, we heard your sigh and know it's probably the antithesis of how you feel. We struggled with compromising, but you don't get far in life thinking that everyone else has to bend to your will all the time.

"Even if they don’t see eye to eye all the time, healthy couples listen to each other's perspectives, and look for solutions that work for both of them. It’s not about 'winning' the argument and getting to say who's right, but finding common ground so they can move forward together," adds Dr. Keels.

SHVETS production

Also, "staying respectful event when things get heated or when you're upset" is a way to have a productive arguments, according to Dr. Keels. What happens is that "healthy couples avoid yelling or saying hurting things during disagreements," she says. This means no cursing or raising voices to the point your next door neighbors feel they have to call the police to do a wellness check on you.

"Instead, they just focus on the real problem and stay calm, which helps them work through the issue without hurting each other and the relationship," Dr. Keels says. And in the event you and your partner can't find common ground in a given moment? She highly suggests you "take breaks or pause when things get too heated."

Couples who do this "know when to step away and cool off before continuing the conversation," she adds. There are times where it's difficult to have a proper conversation when you're anxious or angry, so it's always better to revisit the topic.

Dr. Keels agrees and says, "This gives them a chance to cool down first so they can properly think things through, and think of a solution that works for both of them without saying anything they might regret."

Visit more of our relationships articles to find more advice about navigating friendships and love.