1. Preheat the oven to 200°C.

2. Sift the flour, caster sugar and salt together in a large mixing bowl. Rub the butter or dripping into the flour mixture with your fingertips.

3. Make a well in the centre of the flour and gradually add the milk, using a round-bladed knife to mix it in. Continue adding milk until the mixture forms a soft dough.

4. Turn the dough out on a lightly floured surface and knead gently until the surface is smooth. Shape the dough into a round about 14 cm in diameter. Using a sharp knife, slash a cross in the dough about 1 cm deep.

5. Dust a baking tray generously with flour and place the damper on the tray. Dust the top of the damper with a little more flour and bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until it is golden and cooked through when tested with a skewer.

6. Serve hot with butter and golden syrup.