Traditional Australian Food : Damper Bread Recipe

Damper is a traditional Australian soda bread prepared by swagmen, drovers, stockmen and other travelers. It consists of a wheat flour based bread, traditionally baked in the coals of a campfire. Damper is an iconic Australian dish. It is also made in camping situations in New Zealand, and has been for many decades. Lets enjoy the recipe here...

Ingredients : 

• 450 grams (3 cups) flour, self-raising 
• ¼ teaspoon salt 
• 180 ml (6 fluid ounces) milk - if the mixture is too dry, add a little more milk 
• 1 teaspoon sugar, caster (sugar, granulated) 
• 80 grams (1/3 cup) butter, chilled extra flour as needed 
•  

Method :

1. Mix the flour, salt and sugar together into a bowl. 

2. Rub the butter into the flour with your fingertips until it looks like fine breadcrumbs. 

3. Add milk slowly and mix to form a soft dough. 

4. Knead lightly on a floured board until smooth. Shape into a round loaf, brush with milk and cut a cross in the top surface of the dough. . . . 

For oven cooking : 

5. Grease and dust with flour a round cake tin. You can substitute a flat baking pan, but the round tin gives a better shape to the loaf. 

6. Place dough in the pan and bake in a preheated oven at 190° C (375° F) for 30 - 40 minutes. . . . 

For campfire cooking :

5. Grease the camp oven (Dutch oven) and dust with flour. Add bread dough and cover. 

6. Place in your campfire, cover with hot ashes and coals and bake for about 30 minutes.