Anzac Day Biscuits

Anzac Day is a New Zealand public holiday which falls on 25 April, marking the anniversary of the landing of New Zealand and Australian soldiers at Gallipoli in 1915.  It is commemorated by military and returned servicemen with a dawn service at a local war memorial, joined by other members of the community. 

In the lead up to the day, the public wear a red poppy as a symbol of remembrance.

Another tradition is to bake Anzac biscuits on the day.  According to the National Army website there were no Anzac biscuits at Gallipolli, although the troops did eat a 'rock hard tooth breaker' which was a standard Army biscuit.  The majority of Anzac biscuits as we know them today were sold at fetes and fundraisers, raising 6.5 million pounds for the war effort.

I love Anzac biscuits.  They are similar to the oat 'crunchies' that my mum baked for me as a child.  Here is a simple Anzac biscuit recipe.

Ingredients:

1 cup plain flour

1.5 tsp ground cinnamon

1.75 cups rolled oats

0.5 cup raw sugar

0.25 cup soft brown sugar

1 cup desicated coconut

125g butter, cubed

0.25 cup golden syrup

2tsb water

1tsp baking soda

Method:

1.  Preheat oven to 150'C

2.  Line a baking tray with baking parchment

3.  In a medium sized bowl, sift flour & cinnamon.  Add rolled oats, sugars and desicated       coconut and mix well.

4.  Melt butter, syrup and water in a saucepan and stir over low heat until combined.

5.  Removed from heat and add baking soda.  Add immediately to the dry ingredients and       combine using a wooden spoon.

6.   Place on a tray and bake for 16-20 mins.