Wednesday, April 25, 2007

anzac biscuits

It is a dreary, rainy day here. Last year, I was intrigued by the ANZAC biscuits that Ellie made.

In Australia and New Zealand today, it is ANZAC day. I think it is like a combination of Veteran's Day and Memorial Day in the States. These biscuits were created during WWI and sent to the ANZAC (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps) troops in their food parcels--they were crisp and lasted long because they were made without eggs, which were scarce at the time. The biscuits are still quite popular and many hand down their recipes through the generations.

I used the recipe from a book my brother gave me, "The Essential Baking Cookbook".

Here is the recipe: makes 26 cookies
1 cup (125g/4 oz) plain flour
2/3 cup (160g/5.5 oz) sugar
1 cup (100g/3.5 oz) rolled oats
1 cup (90g/3 oz) desiccated coconut
125g (4 oz) unsalted butter, cubed
1/4 cup (90 g/3 oz) golden syrup
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)

1. Preheat the oven to moderate 180C (350F/Gas 4). Line two baking trays with baking paper.
2. Sift the flour into a large bowl. Add the sugar, oats and coconut and make a well in the center.
3. Put the butter and golden syrup together in a small saucepan and stir over low heat until the butter has melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat. Dissolve the baking soda in 1 tablespoon of boiling water and add immediately to the butter mixture. It will foam up instantly. Pour into the well in the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon until well combined.
4. Drop level tablespoons of mixture onto the trays, allowing room for spreading. Gently flatten each biscuit with your fingertips. Bake for 20 minutes, or until just browned, leave on the tray to cool slightly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.


NOTES: I didn't have golden syrup, so I used molasses. I also didn't know what dessicated coconut was and only found shredded. I also didn't read through the recipe and didn't dissolve the baking soda in water before adding it to the mixture.

Still they were easy to make and the cookies came out very chewy and a bit crispy and reminded me of coconut macaroons and went well with a rooibos tea.

Hope your week is going well.

UPDATE: these cookies turned very crispy after letting them cool completely--almost like granola bars!

16 comments:

Cass said...

Tabetai! I am so jealous of your Anzac biscuits! On Anzac day too. You're almost an honorary Australian :) They look delicious.

(Oh and dessicated coconut is just very finely shredded. Did you ever make coconut ice when you were little?)

Anonymous said...

Ooh, nice job on the cookies! It's been awhile since I've made them, perhaps I'll go make a batch now!

K and S said...

Coming from an Australian, I feel very honored :) Thanks for the tip about desiccated coconut, Cass, I googled, but came up empty!

I may get more coconut and try your way, Ellie!

Take care you two!
Kat

Anonymous said...

Great cookies, Kat! And sometimes I think we can make a lot of changes to recipes and things come out just as good (or even better!).

Happy Anzac Day from afar!

K and S said...

Thank you Ivonne! You are right about changes to recipes :)

Take care.
Kat

Journal Actif said...

Very nice Anzac cookies!
I like mine with quite a bit of marmelade on top. Try that if you like marmelade. It's delicious.

Anonymous said...

I've got a recipe for Anzac cookies in one of my books but never thought to give it a try. Judging from the comments to this post, perhaps I should change my mind on that!

K and S said...

Thank you Zoubida! Marmalade on top sounds nice too!

The recipes I've seen for these cookies seem quite easy, Rowena! You should definitely try it if you can get your hands on the ingredients.

Take care you two.
Kat

Brilynn said...

I love everything Australia, these cookies are no exception.

K and S said...

Thank you Brilynn! These cookies were great!

Take care.
Kat

Jann said...

Good on you! The Aussies and Kiwis would give you an A plus for your post-I actually left Sydney on ANZAC Day....a very special day there........A delicious cookie...

K and S said...

Thank you Jann! I'm sure I'll make these again. Australia must have been fun to visit. It has been awhile since I've been there.

Take care and can't wait to hear about your adventures.

Kat

Anonymous said...

What flour did you use? 薄力粉?

K and S said...

Yes Anon it was the light cake flour(hakurikiko)

Take care.
Kat

Anonymous said...

Thank you. I went ahead and used it anyway. Used your recipe with a neighbour. Turned out very well.

- James

K and S said...

Glad it turned out James.

Take care.
Kat