How to Make Damper

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: December 13, 2022 References Tested

Damper is a traditional Australian bush bread, that was once cooked over an open fire. It's easy to make and has few ingredients. You can make damper at home in the oven. However, you can also cook damper over the fire when camping. Start with a basic damper dough and then cook it over the fire or in the oven.

Ingredients

4 cups of self raising flour (self rising flour)
1 teaspoon of salt
1 tablespoon of butter
1 cup of milk
1/2 cup of water

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making the Dough

1
Stir the flower and salt together. To start, use a whisk or a fork to stir together the flour and salt. Keep stirring until you have an even mixture free of lumps. This should not take long as you do not have a lot of dry ingredients.^{[1]
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2
Cut in the butter. If you have a pastry blender, use this to cut the butter into the dry ingredients. If you don't, you can simply use your fingers. Make sure you wash your hands first.^{[2]
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- Use the pastry cutter or your fingers to gently mash the butter into the flour.
- Do not expect the butter to mix like it would if you were, say, creaming butter and sugar. There is not enough butter to mix completely with the flour. When you're done cutting in the butter, your dough should resemble fine crumbs.^{[3]
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3
Add the milk and water. Use a spoon to carve out a small well in the center of the flour mixture. Gradually pour in your milk and water into the center of this well. Use the spoon to stir the flour, water, butter, and milk together.^{[4]
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- Keep stirring until you have an even mixture. When you're done, everything should be mixed uniformly together. You should be able to easily handle and form the dough.
4
Form your loaf. Lightly dust a surface, such as plate or cutting board, with flour. Set your dough in the center of this surface.^{[5]
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- Wash your hands then then form your dough into a loaf. You want to form a circular loaf of bread that's about 8 inches across.
- Take sharp knife. Use it to cut a criss-cross pattern across the top of your loaf of bread.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Cooking Damper in the Oven

1
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). You want to make sure your oven is warm enough to cook your damper. Set the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius) before setting your bread in the oven.^{[6]
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- If you have a gas oven, the temperature settings may not be 100% accurate. You should use an oven thermometer to make sure your oven is actually at the right temperature.
2
Bake for 25 minutes. Place your damper on a baking tray that's lightly greased or dusted with flour. Set a timer for 25 minutes. Allow your damper to bake this long at 425 degrees Fahrenheit.^{[7]
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3
Lower the temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). After the 25 minutes have passed, reduce the heat of the oven. Turn the oven down to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes.^{[8]
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4
Remove the loaf from the oven. Make sure the damper is done before serving. When the damper is done, it will be golden brown. Gently turn it over and tap the bottom. When tapped, the bottom should sound hollow.^{[9]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Cooking Damper Over a Campfire

1
Grease and dust your dutch oven. You will need a dutch oven to cook your damper over the fire. You want to make sure the damper does not stick to this oven. Prior to cooking, dust your oven with flour or grease it lightly with butter or a nonstick spray. Then, set your damper on the center of the dutch oven.^{[10]
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2
Place the dutch oven in your grill. Once your dutch oven is secure in your campfire, cover the lid. Make sure you have a decent fire going. You should have hot ashes and coals in your grill.^{[11]
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3
Cook for 30 minutes. It will take the damper about 30 minutes to cook. Just as when cooking it in the oven, it should have a golden brown appearance. The bottom should feel hollow when tapped.^{[12]
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4
Finished.

Community Q&A

Question

Can I cook damper in a microwave?

Community Answer

I believe so, but when you cook damper in an oven or over an open fire, the damper becomes golden brown, and you won't get the same results with a microwave.
Question

What tempature do I need for an oven to cook damper?

Community Answer

About 200°C for the first ten minutes is ideal, until the damper is changing color and rising (if you added baking soda or uses self raising flour), then 165°C for half an hour or until golden and it sounds hollow when tapped.
Question

Can I make damper without milk?

Community Answer

Yes, you can. Traditional damper was made with just salt, flour and water.