Pumpkin and Aniseed Damper Bread
A traditional Australian damper bread enriched with roasted pumpkin and a hint of aniseed for subtle aromatic warmth. This Australian-inspired quick recipe (vegetarian), 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 180 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
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground aniseed
- 1 cup roasted pumpkin puree
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp, melted unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp raw sugar
The sheet pan we’d roast this on → Best Sheet Pans in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a baking sheet. In a large bowl, sift together 3 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp ground aniseed.
- Step 2: Stir in 1 cup roasted pumpkin puree and 1 tbsp raw sugar until evenly combined.
- Step 3: Gradually add 1 cup milk and 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter, mixing with a wooden spoon until a soft dough forms.
- Step 4: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and gently knead for 2 minutes until smooth but not sticky.
- Step 5: Shape the dough into a round loaf about 7 inches in diameter and place it on the prepared baking sheet.
- Step 6: Score the top of the loaf with a sharp knife to create a cross pattern to help it rise evenly.
- Step 7: Bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes until the crust is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Step 8: Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack before slicing to serve warm with butter or your favorite spread.









