Veggie-Packed Damper Bread with Golden Syrup Drizzle

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Traditional Australian damper bread enriched with finely chopped native greens and a warm golden syrup drizzle for a subtly sweet finish. This australian-inspired quick meals (vegetarian) ready in about 55 minutes pairs self-raising 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 40 min Serves 8 Australian cuisine 210 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 3 cups self-raising flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 1 cup finely chopped fresh spinach and 1/2 cup finely chopped leek to evenly distribute the veggies.
  3. Step 3: Make a well in the center and gradually add 1 1/4 cups cold water, stirring with a wooden spoon until a soft dough forms.
  4. Step 4: Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead gently for 1 minute until smooth. Shape into a round loaf about 7 inches wide.
  5. Step 5: Place loaf on a baking sheet and brush the top evenly with 3 tbsp melted butter.
  6. Step 6: Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped.
  7. Step 7: Remove from oven and while still warm, drizzle 1/4 cup golden syrup over the top before slicing to serve.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Veggie-Packed Damper Bread with Golden Syrup Drizzle 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 Veggie-Packed Damper Bread with Golden Syrup Drizzle?

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 self-raising flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Veggie-Packed Damper Bread with Golden Syrup Drizzle?

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 Veggie-Packed Damper Bread with Golden Syrup Drizzle 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.

Is Veggie-Packed Damper Bread with Golden Syrup Drizzle vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes