Anzac Biscuits

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Anzacs

Anzac biscuits are an Australian and New Zealand tradition. Several stories about the origin of Anzac biscuits can be found however you will have to decide for yourself which one to believe.

Traditionally, Anzac biscuits are made during April as Anzac day approaches. Anzac day is the 25th of April.

While there are many recipes for Anzac biscuits online and in cookbooks, they all have the traditional 8 ingredients of flour, sugar, oats, coconut, bicarbinate of soda, butter, golden syrup and water, just in slightly different amounts.

Origin of Anzacs

There are four theories that tell the origin of the Anzac Biscuit.

There is no way to really know which is the true origin, although everyone has their own opinion.

What's yours?

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“Thinner and harder Anzac "wafers" were also sent to the soldiers and survived the long journey well.”

Anzac Biscuit Recipe

½ cup plain flour
½ cup self raising flour
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup dessicated coconut
3/4 cup brown sugar
125g butter
2 tbs golden syrup
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
2 tablespoons boiling water


*Alternative: If you don't have self raising flour use1 cup plain flour and increase bicarbonate of soda to 1 teaspoon.

* Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius

* Sift the flour into a mixing bowl and, except for the bicarbonate of soda, mix all of the dry ingredients together

* Combine the bicarbonate of soda and water and mix together in a separate bowl

* Melt the butter in a small pan and stir in the golden syrup

* Add the water and bicarb mix to the butter mixture and stir together

* Make a well in the flour mixture and pour in the butter mixture

* Mix well

* Roll into small balls and place on a well greased biscuit tray allowing room to spread (approx 5 cm)

* Bake for 10 - 15 minutes or until golden

Allow the biscuits to cool for at least 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack. The biscuits will break easily if they are transferred too early.

Delicious Warm Anzacs

Anzac Biscuits

Decorating Anzac Biscuits

Decorating Anzac biscuits isn't common. Being a symbolic and traditional food it is generally made to a standard recipe and kept as is.

However, I have seen Anzac biscuits with drizzled chocolate over the top, and also with the bottom dipped in chocolate.

Recipe Variations

It's not uncommon to find Anzac biscuit recipes with only 1 tsp of Golden Syrup, so if you want a biscuit that isn't as sweet, just halve the amount of golden syrup in the recipe above.

More Golden Syrup makes a lovely chewier biscuit.

The Cook's Companion:

The Complete Book of Ingredients and Recipes for the Australian Kitchen

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Have you made Anzac Biscuits for Anzac Day?

  • ozylizzy Apr 24, 2012 @ 11:55 pm | delete
    I have just baked some today :)
  • StevenCousley Jul 6, 2011 @ 6:54 am | delete
    I bake them all year around so I'll have to say yes. :)
  • whitemoss Aug 25, 2010 @ 9:41 am | delete
    I've heard of them but never made them I've added them to my Rocketmoms Cookie Collection- thanks!
  • JoanneOtt Jun 6, 2010 @ 4:49 am | delete
    I haven't heard of them before, but the pictures are great and they sound delicious.
  • theraggededge May 6, 2010 @ 3:24 am | delete
    Haven't made them but my son sent us a tin from Australia. They didn't last very long! I do sometimes make oat biccies, never thought to add Golden Syrup though.
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Who were the Anzacs?

Anzacs of WWI

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Photo Credit:
Fir0002/Flagstaffotos, available via GNUFD License
Fir0002/Flagstaffotos, available via GNUFD License

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