Figgy Buns with Hazelnuts and Walnuts

Ingredients:

• ½ cup (120ml) dried figs
• Hot water, for rehydrating figs
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) unsalted butter
• 1 2/3 cups (400ml) milk
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) light brown sugar
• 1 ¾ oz. (50g) fresh yeast
• 2 1/2 cups (600ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups (360ml) whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon (5ml) salt
• 1 cup (240ml) walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped
• 1 cup (240ml) hazelnuts, toasted and roughly chopped

Method:

1. Place figs in a bowl with hot water. Let sit for 30 minutes to plump and soften.
2. Drain figs and chop.
3. Put butter in a bot and heat just to melt.
4. Take off heat. Allow to cool a bit.
5. Pour in milk. Add sugar. Add yeast and stir to dissolve.
6. To a separate bowl, add both kinds of flours and salt. Add nuts and figs and mix together well.
7. Pour wet ingredients slowly into dry and stir to combine.
8. Turn onto a lightly floured work surface and knead for about 10 minutes.
9. Form dough into a ball and let sit in a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a tea towel and let rise until doubled in size.
10. Punch dough to release air pockets.
11. Cut dough and pull dough apart and form into buns.
12. Place buns on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
13. Drizzle with olive oil.
14. Cover with a damp tea towel and let rise another 20 minutes.
15. Preheat oven to 375oF (190oC).
16. Bake for 20 minutes in the oven.