GITA’S ANZAC BISCUITS

This is an Australian cookie recipe classic.  I remember both my grandmothers making them (with their own slight variations of course) and they are not dissimiliar to your Oatmeal cookie recipe.   Note that in Australia, we call cookies ‘biscuits’!  A bit confusing I know, but then your ‘biscuit’ is our ‘scone’!!!

Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.^[1] The acronym ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, whose soldiers were known as Anzacs. Anzac Day remains one of the most important national occasions of both Australia and New Zealand.^[2] This is a rare instance of two sovereign countries not only sharing the same remembrance day, but making reference to both countries in its name.

ANZAC biscuits were made for the returning ANZAC’s, by the wives, girlfriends and mothers. It was a way for all Australian’s and New Zealanders to thank the returning troops for their service.

Please be aware that an Australian tablespoon is 20mls (US & UK is 15mls), an Australian teaspoon is the same as the US & UK (5mls), and 1 cup is 250mls.

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup plain flour, sifted

¾ cup sugar

¾ - 1 cup dessicated coconut (depending on how ‘coconutty’ you want your biscuit)

125 gms (4oz) butter

2 tablespoons golden syrup

½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

1 tablespoon boiling water

Method

Preheat oven to 130 degrees (approximately 260 degrees farenheit).

Grease 2 oven trays or line with baking paper.

Combine oats, sifted plain flour, sugar and coconut.

Combine butter and golden syrup in a small saucepan.

Stir butter and golden syrup together over gentle heat until melted.

Mix soda with the boiling water.

Add to the melted butter mixture.

Stir butter/soda mixture into the dry ingredients.

Take teaspoons of mixture and place on a light greased oven tray, allowing room for spreading.

Cook in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Loosen while warm, then cool on trays.

Makes approximately 35.