Oven-Baked Damper Bread with Rosemary and Sea Salt

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Traditional Australian damper bread with a rustic crust, infused with fresh rosemary and a sprinkle of sea salt. This Australian-inspired quick recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs self-raising flour, salt, cold water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 30 min Serves 6 Australian cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). In a large bowl, combine 3 cups (375 g) self-raising flour and 1 tsp salt, mixing well.
  2. Step 2: Rub in 3 tbsp softened butter with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh rosemary.
  4. Step 4: Gradually add 1 cup (240 ml) cold water, mixing with a knife until a soft dough forms. Add up to an extra 1/4 cup (60 ml) water if needed — dough should be soft but not sticky.
  5. Step 5: Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently 5 times to bring it together.
  6. Step 6: Shape dough into a round loaf about 7 inches (18 cm) wide and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  7. Step 7: Using a sharp knife, score a deep cross on top of the loaf. Sprinkle 1 tsp sea salt flakes evenly over the top.
  8. Step 8: Bake for 25-30 minutes until the crust is golden and sounds hollow when tapped.
  9. Step 9: Cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving warm with butter or jam.

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