Method

1. Place the flours, salt, yeast, butter and treacle in a mixing bowl. Make a well in the centre and pour in the water. Work together for 5 minutes or so, until the mixture comes together to make a dough.

2. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for another 5 minutes, before returning to the bowl and leaving on one side for about 1 hour, until doubled in size.

3. Lightly grease a baking tray. Add the figs and dates to the dough and divide into 2 pieces.

4. Shape the pieces into balls, place on the baking tray and leave to rise for a further hour.

5. Preheat the oven to 220C/gas 7. Dust the loaves with flour and make 3 evenly spaced horizontal cuts across each ball. Bake for 30 minutes, until golden and well-risen. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.