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Easy Damper Bread



We love damper bread and what makes it more appealing is that it is so much easier and quicker to make than normal bread, making it perfect if you are in a hurry.


Damper is a traditional Australian soda bread, historically prepared by swagmen, drovers, stockmen and other travellers. It consists of a wheat flour based bread, traditionally baked in the coals of a campfire or in a camp oven. Damper is an iconic Australian dish.




Ingredients

250 g self-raising flour
1/2 tsp salt
25 g unsalted butter, chilled, cubed
175 ml milk

Method 

1.  Preheat oven to 190°C. Mix the flour with the salt in a large bowl. Add the butter and rub into the flour with the tips of your fingers, until it resembles fine crumbs.

2.  Stir in the milk with a round bladed knife to make a soft, but not sticky dough.

3.  Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and shape into a soft, smooth ball.

4.  Set the ball of dough onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper and flatten gently to make a round about 17 cm across. Cut a deep cross in the dough and brush lightly with milk.

5.  Bake for 30 minutes or until golden and hollow sounding when tapped.



Variations: Add 100g grated cheese and 1-2 tablespoons of chives or parsley to the mixture before adding the milk and sprinkle a little extra cheese before baking.

If you want it to be sweet, add 2 tablespoons golden syrup, honey or maple syrup and 2 tablespoons of caster sugar to the mixture with the milk.

The milk can be replaced with beer-this makes it lighter and fluffier.





Recipe sourced here

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