Anzac Cookie Recipe

 

Our last day in Australia, April 25th  happened to be "ANZAC" day, a national holiday. We walked to the beach with hundreds of local residents to Austinmer beach before sunrise. Together we watched men and women in uniform walk to the Memorial Obelisk engraved with the saying "Lest We Forget".  There we heard many heartwarming speeches, listened to music and song and watched people place wreaths around the memorial area. At a certain moment we were all asked to turn towards the east and we, in unison, watched the sun rise.  It was a most touching ceremony honoring the military who fought not only in WWI but in wars throughout the history of Australia and New Zealand.   

“ANZAC” stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. And ANZAC Day – 25 April 1915 – is Australia’s most important national occasion each year, marking the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War during which they suffered heavy casualties.

Later in the morning we learned about Anzac biscuits/cookies.  

It is said that the wives of soldiers came up with the original Anzac Biscuits using ingredients such that the biscuits stayed fresh for the weeks it took to reach the soldiers overseas.  

It is also a tradition for families to bake and share Anzac cookies each year on this day. We were offered some at my grandson's soccer practice.  The recipe has changed over the years to a very delicious treat. Formally the biscuits (we were told) had to be preserved to stay fresh for weeks and were pretty hard. These days the cookies are crisp and delicious. 

 I was able to make a batch today. Here is the recipe.   

 

Ingredients

125 grams (4oz) butter, chopped

2 tablespoons golden syrup or treacle substitute: honey, maple syrup, agave for treacle

1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)

2 tablespoons boiling water

1 cup (90g) rolled oats

1 cup (150g) plain (all-purpose) flour

1 cup (220g) firmly packed brown sugar

3/4 cup (60g) desiccated coconut

Method

1.

Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F. Grease two large oven trays; line with baking paper.

2.

Stir butter and syrup in a medium saucepan over low heat until smooth. Stir in combined soda and the water, then remaining ingredients.

3.

Roll level tablespoons of mixture into balls; place 5cm (2in) apart on lined trays, then flatten slightly.

4.

Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden. (12 minutes creates a chewier cookie, the 15 minutes create crispier ones). Cool biscuits on trays.

 

recipe from: 

 "How to make the best Anzac biscuits"

womensweeklyfood.com.au