Fig and Date Bread

Ingredients

 * 1 cup chopped pitted dates
 * 1 cup chopped dried figs
 * 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
 * 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
 * 1 cup boiling water
 * 1/2 cup white sugar
 * 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
 * 2 eggs
 * 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
 * 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
 * 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
 * 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions
1 	Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8x4 inch baking pan.

2 	In a medium bowl, combine the dates, figs, butter and baking soda. Pour in the boiling water, stir well and let stand for 15 minutes.

3 	Beat the sugar, walnuts and eggs into the date mixture. Combine the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder and salt; stir into the date mixture just until blended. Pour batter into prepared pan.

4 	Bake in preheated oven for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.