Brevas con Arequipe Colombian Figs with Dulce de Leche

This recipe is sponsored by California Figs. All opinions are my own.

Brevas are a Colombian dessert made with the early harvest of the fig tree. They are cooked in a sugar cane syrup until soft and jammy and topped with Dulce de Leche.

In Colombia Brevas are usually paired with fresh soft cheese to balance out the sweetness from the figs and the dulce de leche. This combo is perfect.

Why you will love this recipe

This dessert is perfect to make during the California Fresh Fig season (May-November) and it is a great appetizer for any gathering.

I decided to elevate this dessert a notch and serve it with soft and buttery Brie cheese on top of a lightly crispy crostini.

The crispy bread is the perfect vehicle to hold the creamy Brie cheese and the jammy figs with a dollop of thick dulce de leche.

Ingredients:

This recipe uses fresh California figs that are at their peak season during the months of May through November.

California figs are a great addition to sweet and savory dishes or just on their own!

• Green figs: In Colombia we use green figs to make Brevas. Make sure to pick some that are firm as they will hold up better when simmered in the sweet syrup. Use your favorite variety, for this recipe I used Sierra figs.
• Brown sugar: To make the syrup in which we will cook the figs.
• Cinnamon and star anise: Are used to spice up the syrup.
• Dulce de leche: This is one of my favorite ingredients to make desserts with. It is really easy to make and I have an easy dulce de Leche recipe you can use.
• French bread: To make crostini to serve the Brevas.
• Whipped brie cheese: In Colombia we use fresh cheese to serve the Brevas with Arequipe but brie cheese is an amazing pairing as well.

How to Make Colombian Brevas

This recipe is super simple and only requires a little bit of prep.

Clean the figs

Cut the stems of the figs (a white liquid will come out) and open a shallow slit at the base and place them in a bowl with water for 10 minutes.

Discard the water and rinse the figs.

Make the syrup

In Colombia, we call this syrup "melao" and it is typically made with raw cane sugar and spices.

In this recipe we will use brown sugar, cinnamon and star anise to make our "melao" or syrup.

Cook the Figs

We will simmer the figs in the spiced syrup for about 30 minutes until they turn dark green and jammy.

Remove them from the syrup and set them aside on a single layer and allow them to cool down.

Don't discard the syrup! It is amazing drizzled over pancakes or waffles.

Add the Dulce de Leche

Once the figs are cooled down, add a spoonful of Dulce de Leche in the slit you opened at the bottom.

Place them on cupcake liners if you wish to eat them on their own. It is a heavenly bite!

Make the crostini

Slice the bread and toast in the oven or air fryer until lightly golden brown. Add a dollop of the whipped brie cheese and top with half a fig. Add more dulce de Leche if desired.

Serve and enjoy!

How to store the Brevas

Allow the figs to cool down before storing them and do not add the Dulce de Leche.

Brevas will keep very well stored in glass jar with the syrup, covered with an airtight lid.

If you are planning to store them, add the Dulce de Leche as needed when you are going to consume them.

Brevas will keep well in the fridge for up to 1 week.