Making Festive Fig & Cream Cheese Bars is a rewarding experience when you follow these simple steps:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and salt. Stir until well mixed.
3. Add Butter: Pour in the melted butter and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press half of this mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form a crust.
4. Prepare Fig Filling: In another bowl, combine chopped figs, cinnamon, and a tablespoon of sugar. Mix well and spread evenly over the crust.
5. Make Cream Cheese Layer: In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Pour this mixture over the figs, spreading evenly.
6. Top with Remaining Crust: Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture over the cream cheese layer, ensuring it covers the filling.
7. Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the filling is set.
8. Cool: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 15-20 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Slice and Serve: Once cooled, slice into bars and serve.

These steps will guide you in creating Festive Fig & Cream Cheese Bars that are not only delicious but also a visual delight!