ANZAC Biscuits: A Tribute to Australia's Fallen Heroes

The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps in World War in 1915 at the Gallipoli landing suffered the worst defeat on record. They are honored every year on April 25th in Australia.

It is said that the original recipe for ANZAC biscuits used several different ingredients than the ones we now know, and that these were originally called Soldier Biscuits. They were sent overseas to our troops since they kept well during the trip and arrived as fresh as the day they were made.

It has also been told that they were baked and sold back home by women to raise money for the returning Heroes and their families. These can now be bought in any supermarket in Australia.

Whatever the reason for the invention of the humble ANZAC biscuit, I personally wish to say thank you and to pass this delicious cookie recipe along to you.

Ingredients:

1 cup shredded coconut

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup flour

1 cup sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1 pinch of salt

1/2 cup butter/margarine

2 tbs Golden Syrup

2 tbs water

cooking spray, butter/ margarine to grease the cookie sheet.

We use Golden Syrup, but you could use molasses. GS isn't stocked on supermarket shelves in the United States to my knowledge, although it can be purchased in many places online, including here:

http://www.greataussiefood.com.au/index.php

If you wish to compromise, simply use a strong maple syrup instead. I have tried this and it tastes very close to authentic.

Method:

-Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

-Mix together, oats, coconut, salt, flour, sugar and baking soda.

-Melt the butter or marg. and stir in the Golden Syrup/Molasses/Maple Syrup.

-Add melted ingredients to dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.

-Scoop tbsp size balls onto a greased cookie sheet, press each one down gently with a fork and place into the oven for 15 minutes.

-Allow to cool.

This amount will produce around 15 ANZAC biscuits. Make them smaller if you wish.

*When we were kids we used to love them while they were still quite hot, dipped into a glass of milk or placed on top of a bowl of ice cream. Mum always shared them with friends over morning coffee and Dad had them in his lunchbox to take to work. Be careful though, you may be inclined to eat way too many!

For The Health Conscious:

I have experimented at length using the basic recipe and found the following also works well.

-replace the white flour with wholemeal flour

-leave out all salt

-try honey instead of syrup

-use unsalted butter

-use raw sugar in place of white refined sugar.

-use 3/4 of the required amount of butter and make up the difference using apple sauce

I have also added some cherry pieces and raisins which was delightful with yogurt for a healthy and quick breakfast or morning snack.

Sources:

Linda & Errol Hosking. NSW, Australia.

Lorna Moschetti. VIC, Australia.