Making Damper around the fire

Damper is an old camping favourite. Normally just made by ‘eye’ or ‘feel’, the old camp cooks just knew when the mix was correct.

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Variations of the Damper can be found everywhere. This recipe is a base to get you started; if you don’t have self-raising flour you can add baking powder to the mix instead. I used 1.5 teaspoons for the 3 cups of flour.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups self-raising flour
• 750ml water/milk
• 50ml golden syrup (or honey)
• Pinch salt (optional)
• 80g cold butter diced

Method:

Cooking in the oven preheat to 190c.

Cooking on the campfire make sure you have a good supply of coals.

1. Rub together flour and butter till crumbly.
2. Combine the rest of the ingredients with the flour mix. Kneed till combined and smooth.
3. Line camp oven with baking paper, or baking tray if using oven.
4. Place dough in/on paper and slice the surface of the dough. Brush with milk if you have some nearby.
5. Cook in oven for 30 min or place camp oven lid on top. Place on coals then cover the top with coals. 20% under 80% over. Check in 15min and refresh coals. Cook for about 30min.
6. Once cooked enjoy with some jam or more golden syrup!

Enjoy!

Cameron