The cook says this is the best and easiest damper to make and the ABR community agrees! Dozens of five-star reviews say this damper bakes up nice and fluffy on the inside and with a great crust on the outside. Get stuck in!
How to make easy Australian damper: key tips
Resist the urge to knead your damper dough, as overworking the flour will make your bread dense instead of light and fluffy.
Cutting a deep cross into the top of the damper isn’t just to make it look pretty, it allows steam to escape through a ‘weak point’ in the loaf, which also helps the loaf to rise evenly.
You will know when your damper is cooked if it sounds hollow when you turn the bread over and tap it on the bottom.
Key ingredients in this easy Australian damper recipe
This is a simple self-raising flour, salt, butter and milk recipe. The ingredients vary slightly between damper recipes, but it is essentially a basic bread recipe.
If you’ve loved baking damper, try your hand at more damper recipes, plus this easy bread recipe.
This recipe was originally submitted by kmaggiekay, a member of the Australia’s Best Recipe community. Introduction and additional recipe notes by Natasha Shaw.
Ingredients
- 250 g Woolworths Essentials Self Raising Flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 25g butter, chilled and cubed
- 175 ml milk
Method
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Step 1Mix the flour with the salt in a large bowl. Add the butter and rub it into the flour with the tips of your fingers, until it resembles fine crumbs.
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Step 2Stir in the milk with a round blade knife (butter knife) to make a soft, but not sticky dough.
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Step 3Turn out onto a lightly floured work surface and shape into a soft, smooth ball.
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Step 4Set the ball of dough onto a tray or baking sheet and flatten gently to make a round about 17cm across. Cut a deep cross in the dough and brush lightly with milk.
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Step 5Bake at 190C for 30 minutes until golden.
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Step 6Serve warm or at room temperature.
Equipment
- 1 bowl
- 1 knife
- 1 baking tray
- 1 pastry brush
Recipe Notes
How can I adapt this easy Australian damper?
This damper is yummy on its own, but you can pimp it up in lots of different ways, as you would any bread. Some of our recipe reviewers have added grated cheese and parsley/chives; sundried tomato and spinach; a tablespoon of sweet chilli sauce with ginger; chopped ham and grated cheddar; and even chopped tinned corned beef!
What can I eat with this easy Australian damper?
This damper is simply delicious drizzled in maple syrup or slathered in butter and jam for a snack with a cuppa. But it’s also perfect as a dipping bread for soup. I love it with a hearty lamb and barley soup.
Can I freeze this easy Australian damper?
This damper is pretty quick to make and is best when eaten warm. However, if you want to get ahead, you can make the damper and freeze it, wrapped in plastic wrap and then foil, for up to 3 months. Thaw the damper and then reheat it in the oven.
Recipe Reviews (59)
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