Anzac Biscuits

There aren't many recipes on my blog that call for coconut, largely because I am not a fan.  My husband on the other hand, loves it.  Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations as well as those who contributed and suffered through the conflicts.   The Anzac biscuit is notable in that it doesn’t have eggs – two reasons for that as I understand it.  One – the poultry farmers were all part of the war effort in WW1 and there was a shortage of eggs.  The other reason was to ensure the biscuits wouldn’t spoil when shipped over to the front. 

There are many variations on Anzac biscuits, but this one is the perfect mix of crunchy and soft. 

Ingredients

1 cup plain flour
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup coconut
3/4 cup brown sugar
125 grams (1/2 cup) butter
3 Tablespoons golden syrup
1 Tablespoon water
1 teaspoon baking soda

Method

Preheat oven to 160C.  Line a baking tray with baking paper.

Sift flour into a large bowl, and then add the oats, coconut, and brown sugar.  

In a small pan, melt the butter and golden syrup together with 1 Tablespoon of water.  Once the mix is all melted and combined, remove from the heat and stir through the baking soda.  The mix will foam, so just keep stirring.  Once all combined, pour the liquid mix into the flour and stir through well.  

I use my little cookie scoop to measure out a small ball of cookie dough.  Flatten out on the tray, and then bake for about 10 minutes.  Cool on the tray for about five minutes, and then cool completely on a wire rack.  

Ode of Remembrance

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam

Lest we forget.