Damper Bread Loaf with Lemon Myrtle Butter
Traditional Australian damper bread baked golden and served warm with whipped lemon myrtle-infused butter for a fragrant and comforting treat. This australian-inspired quick meals ready in about 55 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 8, 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 all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 6 tbsp, cubed cold unsalted butter
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk
- 4 tbsp, softened for lemon myrtle butter unsalted butter
- 1 tsp lemon myrtle powder
- 1 tsp honey
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, sift together 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, and 1 tsp salt.
- Step 3: Add 6 tbsp cold cubed unsalted butter to the flour mixture. Using your fingers or a pastry cutter, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
- Step 4: Make a well in the center and pour in 1 1/4 cups whole milk. Stir gently with a wooden spoon until a soft dough forms, being careful not to overwork it.
- Step 5: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently 5-6 times until smooth. Shape into a round loaf about 7 inches in diameter.
- Step 6: Place the loaf on the prepared baking sheet and score a cross on top with a sharp knife. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the crust is golden and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
- Step 7: While baking, mix 4 tbsp softened unsalted butter with 1 tsp lemon myrtle powder and 1 tsp honey in a small bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Step 8: Remove the damper from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm slices spread with the lemon myrtle butter for a fragrant, classic Australian accompaniment.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Damper Bread Loaf with Lemon Myrtle Butter take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 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 Loaf with Lemon Myrtle Butter?
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 all-purpose flour from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Damper Bread Loaf with Lemon Myrtle Butter?
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 Loaf with Lemon Myrtle Butter for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Loaf with Lemon Myrtle Butter?
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.
