ANZAC biscuits
ANZAC day is very special to all Australians and New Zealanders, and we are no exception in our household. Sticking with tradition, I’ve made some ANZAC biscuits based on my Nana’s recipe – but I’ve adapted it slightly to make them even tastier. I’ve added chocolate, which I’m pretty sure Nana would be fine with!
ANZAC biscuits are extremely quick and easy to make – I whip up a batch in less than 30 minutes, and that includes sitting down with a cuppa and having a warm biscuit straight out of the oven! You really can make these regularly, not just on ANZAC day.
Ingredients
1 cup of dessicated coconut
1 cup of plain flour
1 cup of oats
1 cup of brown sugar
1 cup of chocolate bits (milk chocolate is best)
30 grams of butter, melted
1 teaspoon of bi-carb of soda
2 tablespoons of golden syrup
Boiling water
Method
Put the coconut, flour, oats, brown sugar and chocolate in a bowl and mix. Add the melted butter and stir. Place the bi-carb of soda into a mug or small jug, and add about 2 tablespoons of boiling water. Stir. Add the golden syrup to the water and bi-carb of soda mixture. Pour about three quarters of the liquid mix into the bowl, and mix. Add the remainder if you need – you are wanting the mixture to come together so that you can’t see any flour or coconut that isn’t mixed in and it all forms one brown lump, but not be too wet. Occasionally more water will be required, so you will have to go by feel. Don’t worry too much though – more water simply means the biscuits will be a bit chewy, rather than crisp, which some people prefer!
Wet your hands under the tap (this helps stop the mixture sticking to your hands). Using a dessertspoon, scoop up a quantity of the mixture, and roll into a ball. Place on baking tray (which you’ve greased or used greaseproof paper).
Into the Oven
Bake for about 8 minutes at 160 degrees. After 8 minutes, use a fork to flatten the biscuits slightly, and cook for another 2 to 5 minutes (depends on your oven). They should be golden brown.
Leave to cool on the tray for a couple of minutes (this stops the biscuits breaking up when you take them off the tray). Place on cake racks to cool, and enjoy with a strong cup of tea. The mixture should make approximately 24 biscuits. As all Aussies and Kiwis know, these biscuits keep for ages in an airtight container.
ANZAC day is about remembrance, and needs to be handled with sensitivity with young children. We find the tradition of baking ANZAC biscuits an age-appropriate way to talk about ANZAC day. And besides, what better way to remember than with a humble biscuit recipe handed down through generations.
