Recipe: Tasty Damper (Australian Soda Bread)

Damper (Australian Soda Bread). Damper is a traditional Australian soda bread, historically prepared by early settlers, swagmen, drovers, stockmen and other travellers. Damper Bread was a staple of the early Australian settlers' diet. Traditionally, the dough was cooked directly on the coals of an open fire.

Originally, it was unleavened and formed with only flour, salt, and water (the only supplies available). Now, self-rising flour is generally the base and milk or beer may be. With Australia Day and the Australian Open final at the same weekend, I looked into. You can have Damper (Australian Soda Bread) using 10 ingredients and 4 steps. Here is how you cook it.

Ingredients of Damper (Australian Soda Bread)

1. Prepare 2 cups of Self-Raising Flour.
2. You need 1/4 teaspoon of Salt.
3. You need 30 g of Butter *chilled, cubed.
4. You need 3/4 cup of Milk OR Water.
5. Prepare of <Additional Ingredients>.
6. It's of - Shredded Tasty Cheese (Cheddar), Fetta,.
7. It's of - Parsley, Chives, Rosemary.
8. It's of - Bacon, Corned Beef.
9. It's of - Spinach, Semi-dried Tomatoes, Olives.
10. Prepare of - Dried Fruit.

Damper (Australian Soda Bread). 'Damper' was originally developed by swagmen who travelled in remote areas in Australia, from farm to farm, carrying his belongings in a swag. Traditionally, damper is cooked directly on the coals of a camp fire. Damper is very popular here in Australia. Damper is a traditional Australian style soda bread that was historically made by packers, drovers, stockmen, and drovers; basically, anyone needing to travel.

Damper (Australian Soda Bread) step by step

1. Preheat oven to 200℃. Line a baking tray with baking paper..
2. Combine Flour and Salt in a large bowl. Cut the chilled Butter into small cubes and add to the flour mixture. Using fingertips, rub the Butter pieces into flour mixture until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs..
3. Add Milk and additional ingredients if you add any, stir and bring the mixture together. On a lightly floured surface, shape into a ball..
4. Place the ball of dough on the prepared tray, flatten slightly, cut a shallow cross on top. Bake at 180℃ for 30 minutes or until golden and hollow when tapped..

It is traditionally made outside over open coals and utilizes only the most basic of rations, mainly flour, water and sometimes milk. Damper is a traditional Australian soda bread that consists of a wheat flour based bread, traditionally baked in the coals of a campfire or in a in a camp oven. Damper is a staple bread of the early Australian pioneer's, historically prepared by drovers, swagmen, stockmen, and other travellers who travel in rural areas for extended periods. This Australian iconic dish is been serving as the traditional dish in Australia and New Zealand for many decades. This is an Australian bread traditionally (I am led to believe), made by people in the bush on the camp fire.