Damper Aussie Campfire Bread Recipes

AUSTRALIAN DAMPER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) Grease a baking sheet.
• In a large bowl, stir together the flour and the salt. With pastry blender or your hands, cut in butter. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the milk and water. Stir until the dough comes together. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and form into a round loaf 8 inches across. Place the loaf onto the prepared pan and using a sharp knife, cut a cross in the top.
• Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, then lower the temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and continue to bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. The loaf should be golden brown and the bottom should sound hollow when tapped.

DAMPER

Steps:

• Add the flour and baking powder in a bowl.
• Start mixing with a spoon and slowly add in the water (or milk).
• Add the salt and mix with the hands until all the flour is well moistened and it begins to form a ball. If necessary, add water (or milk) or flour to adjust the texture.
• Remove the dough from the bowl and place it on a lightly floured surface, fold it, turn it over and knead it briefly until it is smooth. However, do not knead the dough too much as this will make the damper heavy.
• Preheat the oven to 410°F / 200°C.
• Heat a cast iron pot or Dutch oven in the oven for 5 minutes. Dust the pot with flour and add the dough in it. Flatten the ball of dough to the edges.
• Bake the damper for about 45 minutes or until the top is lightly browned.
• The bread will swell during baking.
• Shake the pot from time to time during baking to ensure even browning.
• The bread is baked when a knife inserted in the center of it comes out clean. The bread should offer a hollow sound when tapped in the center.
• Let the damper sit for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

DAMPER (AUSSIE CAMPFIRE BREAD)

Steps:

• Set oven to hot 200C (400F).
• Grease an 18cm (7 inch) sandwich cake tin or four single serve ramekin dishes.
• Sift flour and salt into a mixing bowl.
• Add any other optional ingredients (see below).
• Make a well in the centre of the flour and add most, but not all of the milk.
• Mix with a knife, adding more milk if necessary, until you have formed a fairly moist, but not sloppy, dough.
• Turn dough into a cake tin or spoon into ramekins.
• Smooth the top with the back of a spoon.
• If making a savoury damper, sprinkle the top with cheese and/or add a thin slice or slices of tomato.
• Bake for 20-30 minutes until golden brown on top and a skewer, inserted in the centre, comes out clean.
• Turn out and cool slightly on a wire rack before serving.
• Serve warm with butter.
• Some Variations: Cheese Damper- add 1/2 cup grated cheese and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Cheese and Bacon Damper- add 1/2 cup grated cheese and 2-3 rashers of cooked, chopped bacon.
• Cheese and Herb Damper- add 1/2 cup grated cheese and 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil OR 1 teaspoon of dried herbs.
• Fruit Damper- add 1/2 cup mixed dried fruit and 1 tablespoon sugar.
• Orange Damper- add the finely grated rind of an orange and 1 tablespoon sugar.

AUSTRALIAN DAMPER

Steps:

• The best way to make this is to mix together the dry ingredients then add the liquid and butter and mix well and then knead it for about 5 minutes.
• Then wrap it in a double layer of greased foil and place it in the coals of the campfire, poking it in and retrieving it a bit later hoping it's done.
• I've also had it where you just throw the dough into the coals and pull off the blacked outside when it's done and eat the inner part.
• To cook it in the oven preheat to 350 degrees F.
• Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar and mix well. Rub or cut in the butter. Stir in the milk to form a dough.
• Shape into a flattened ball and place on a greased baking sheet or in a round cake tin and bake for about 30 minutes.
• Doing it this way though is not traditional and just won't taste the same.
• You eat it straight away while still hot in thick slices with butter, golden syrup, jam or vegemite.
• This is great camping food and always brings back many happy camping memories.