A campfire full of memories

Who doesn’t remember that time they went camping and made some amazing damper in the camp stove under a pile of piping hot coals?! It’s the quintessential Aussie campfire delicacy and one of those things that makes childhood (and adult) memories you’ll never forget.

 

It’s the stuff of legend with parents re-telling that same story over and over, and with the summer months in full swing and the more temperate months ahead, there is never a bad time to be talking campfire damper!

 

So, here’s a simple and delicious recipe for campfire damper to make that perfect loaf and those memories that go on long after the taste has disappeared.

 

Ingredients – (super simple and only five ingredients.)

 

2 cups (500g) self-raising flour

¼ tsp salt

80g butter (chilled)

1 tsp white sugar

180-200ml of milk

 

You can add some extras to put your stamp on it, like sultanas, honey, coconut, or cinnamon, but if you do, adjust the flour: milk ratio to get the desired consistency.

 

Method –

 

Mix the dry ingredients in a medium-large bowl.

 

Rub the butter into the mixture until it resembles breadcrumbs.

 

Add the milk slowly as you gently work the mixture to form a soft dough. Leave a little aside to brush over the loaf.

 

Knead the soft dough on a floured board until smooth, and work into a nice round loaf shape (or whatever shape your camp oven is). Then cut a cross-shape into the top of the loaf and brush with the remaining milk.

 

Grease the inside of the camp oven and dust with flour. Add bread dough and place the lid on.

 

Carefully place the oven in the coals and let it bake for about 30 minutes (depending on how hot the fire is). Check it’s cooked by tapping the loaf, and it should sound hollow.

 

 

Enjoy making those memories and, of course, the delicious campfire damper on your next trip away!