Christmas Damper

Ingredients:

• Flour, 4 cups
• Salt, 1 tsp
• Sugar, 2 tbs
• Baking soda, 2 tsp
• Instant yeast, 2 envelopes
• Butter, 40 gr
• Lukewarm water, 250 ml
• Powder milk, 8 tbs
• Milk, 1 tbs
• Ribbon, fresh bay leaves and berries (to decorate, we did it slightly different)
• Golden syrup, to serve

Preparation:

Place the flour, powder milk, salt, sugar, yeast and bicarbonate of soda in a large bowl.

Using your fingertips, rub butter into flour until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the water and stir until a soft dough forms.

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 3 equal portions. Roll each portion into a 50cm long, 2cm diameter log.

Plait the dough portions, then join the ends to form a round wreath shape.

Brush with extra milk. place it in a lined baking tray. Cover and let it rise for 1 hour.

Bake in a previously pre-heated oven at 180°C for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden.

Set aside to cool. Decorate with ribbon, leaves and berries. Serve with golden syrup.