I got a rather enthusiastic response to my recipe for Afghan biscuits last week. As I said, they are New Zealand's famous biscuits. This week I thought I would balance it out with Australia's famous biscuit, the ANZAC biscuit. We cannot let April 25th, ANZAC Day pass without a batch of these delicious treats.
Edmonds Cookery Book was where my Afghan recipe came from. My Kiwi friend Amy sent me a copy of the recipe a few weeks ago. What's really exciting is that when she came to visit me for my hens party last weekend, she also gave me a wonderful Birthday present - the cook book!
It's full of some fabulous recipes (and a few odd old ones, spam anyone?) and one of them is ANZAC biscuits. I thought it would be very fitting to try a recipe from a NZ cookbook. The result was a delicious biscuit with a crunchy outer and soft, chewy inside and not too sweet. They're a really easy biscuit to make and because they're packed with oats, they're not too unhealthy either.
Start the biscuits by mixing up the sugar, oats, coconut and flour in a large bowl.
Melt the butter and golden syrup together. I just gave them a zap in the microwave. Be careful not to put it on for too long or you will have a very unpleasant mess to clean up. Pour the boiling water over the baking soda and mix them together until the soda has dissolved.
Pour the soda into the butter mixture.
Then pour all the liquid in with the dry ingredients and stir it all together.
The recipe said to spoon tablespoons of dough onto the tray. When I tried to do this it all fell apart so I rolled it into balls instead.
About 5 minutes into baking I opened the oven and realised they weren't spreading but were baking in big ANZAC ball biscuits. I quickly whipped the tray out of the oven and flattened them all with the back of the spoon.
So please note that they don't spread or change shape in any way so however you put them in the oven is how they will come out baked. Bake them at 180C for 15 minutes or until they are golden.
Leave the baked biscuits to rest on the tray for 5 minutes.
Then transfer them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
The recipe doesn't say how long they keep for but if you know the story of ANZAC biscuits, they keep for a while. The recipe came to be because the ladies wanted to send baked goodies over to the soldiers in the war. They needed to be something that was going to survive the trip and still taste good when they arrived and so the ANZAC biscuit came to be. The name is after the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
So next Wednesday, ANZAC Day, bake up a batch of ANZAC biscuits and think about and give thanks for all those brave soldiers who risk, have risked or have lost their lives to keep us safe. Lest we forget!
So what about you? Do you like trying new recipes for old favourites or do you stick to the tried and tested versions?
Today is also my little sister's Birthday. Happy Birthday little sis!!! x
Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup plain AP flour
- ⅓ cup caster superfine sugar
- ⅔ cup shredded coconut
- ¾ cup rolled oats
- 50 g 1.7oz butter
- 1 tablespoon golden syrup
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoon boiling water
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 180C(356F) fan-forced and line a baking tray with baking paper.
- In a large bowl, mix up the flour, sugar, coconut and rolled oats.
- Melt the butter and the golden syrup together in the microwave until they're smooth.
- Pour the boiling water over the baking soda and then add them to the melted butter and golden syrup.
- Tip the mixture into the dry ingredients and stir them all together.
- Spoon tablespoons of mixture onto the lined baking tray leaving 2cm between each one. Flatten them to about 1-2 centimeters thickness.
- Bake the biscuits for 15 minutes or until golden.
- Leave them to rest on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container. ANZAC biscuits will keep for at least a week.
Jessica says
I never seem to like oatmeal cookies (even though I adore oatmeal), but this recipe makes me think that this is the answer to my oatmeal cookie question! Most cookies hide the oatmeal, but this puts them front and center, with delicious coconut to boot! Fantastic - they look delicious.
Claire says
Oh no no hiding here. Oats are the start of the Anzac cookie!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I had never heard of ANZAC biscuits until I read about them on Lizzy's site. With oatmeal and coconut, what's not to like?!
Claire says
There's not a thing not to like!
Australian Macadamias says
They look great Claire and if you want ANZAC biscuits a little less chewy then bake then for 20mins rather than 15 mins....
We have created an Anzac biscuit recipe with a true Aussie twist, involving macadamias of course!! http://ow.ly/aoF66
Claire says
Ooh macadamias would make them even more delicious. Yum!
Hotly Spiced says
Your ANZAC biscuits look so beautiful all tied up with ribbon. And they look like they have crunch and chewiness. And the Edmonds cookbook is a favourite of mine. I consider mine a treasure! So many golden oldie reliable recipes.
Claire says
I bet it is! You'll have to tell me which ones are the best recipes.
Jennifer (Delicieux) says
Mmm I love a good Anzac biscuit, but my fiance, who is in the army, doesn't like them. I might have to make a batch and see if I can change his mind :D
Claire says
Good luck Jennifer! If he's anything like mine it's hard work to change his mind when it comes to food.
Jennifer | Mother Thyme says
Happy Birthday to your little sis! I have never had these before so I am anxious to try these out. I'm 50/50 when it comes to recipes. I have some recipes I make the same way again, and again and then I find new recipes for old favorites that intrigue me that I try and sometimes find I like the new way or I incorporate a little of both in future recipes.
Claire says
Well in tribute to your Aussie blogger friend I think you have to try them out!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Snap! I have a batch of Anzac biscuits baking in my oven now! :D I love the uncooked dough too!
Claire says
I've haven't tasted the un-cooked dough. Don't tell me these things Lorraine! Eating biscuit dough is the last thing I need before the wedding!