Damper Bread Baked with Bush Tomato and Cheese
Traditional Australian damper bread enhanced with savory bush tomatoes and melted cheese, perfect for sharing around the campfire. This australian-inspired quick meals ready in about 50 minutes pairs (375 g) self-raising flour, baking powder, sea salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 cups (375 g) self-raising flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 1/4 cups (300 ml) cold water
- 1/2 cup, chopped dried bush tomatoes
- 1 cup (100 g), grated cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp, melted unsalted butter
- for greasing olive oil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a round baking tray with olive oil.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, sift together 3 cups self-raising flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1 tsp sea salt.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup chopped dried bush tomatoes and 1 cup grated cheddar cheese until well distributed.
- Step 4: Gradually add 1 1/4 cups cold water to the dry ingredients, mixing with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms.
- Step 5: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently for 1 minute to bring it together.
- Step 6: Shape the dough into a round loaf about 7 inches in diameter and place it on the prepared baking tray.
- Step 7: Brush the top with 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter and cut a deep cross on the top with a sharp knife.
- Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes until the damper is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Step 9: Cool slightly before slicing and serve warm with butter or your favorite spread.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Damper Bread Baked with Bush Tomato and Cheese take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (10 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Damper Bread Baked with Bush Tomato and Cheese?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (375 g) self-raising flour from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Damper Bread Baked with Bush Tomato and Cheese?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Damper Bread Baked with Bush Tomato and Cheese for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Damper Bread Baked with Bush Tomato and Cheese?
Australian quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
