ANZAC Biscuits

Flat, golden biscuits of rolled oats, desiccated coconut, plain flour and golden syrup: simple, robust, and subtly sweet with a chewy centre and crisp edge. ANZAC biscuits were sent by Australian and New Zealand women to soldiers serving overseas in World War I: made without eggs (which were rationed) and designed to survive the long sea voyage intact.

Origin: Australia & New Zealand

From the journey of Wheat.

The ANZAC biscuit (from Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) is one of the most historically charged foods in the English-speaking world. The legend holds that wives and mothers baked these biscuits to send to their husbands and sons serving at Gallipoli and the Western Front, as they could survive the weeks-long sea journey without spoiling. Eggs were in short supply, so golden syrup was used as a binding agent instead. Today ANZAC biscuits are eaten on ANZAC Day (April 25) across Australia and New Zealand, and their recipe is protected; by informal cultural convention, you are not supposed to call a differently-made biscuit an ANZAC biscuit, out of respect for the fallen.

Ingredients

  • 100 g rolled oats
  • 60 g desiccated coconut
  • 100 g plain flour
  • 150 g caster sugar
  • 125 g butter
  • 2 tbsp golden syrup
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 2 tbsp boiling water

Method

  1. Preheat oven to 160°C/320°F. Line two baking sheets.
  2. Combine oats, coconut, flour and sugar in a bowl.
  3. Melt butter and golden syrup together over low heat. Dissolve bicarbonate of soda in the boiling water, then add to the butter mixture; it will foam.
  4. Pour the butter mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
  5. Roll tablespoon-sized balls of dough and place on the sheets, leaving 5cm between each. Flatten slightly with a fork.
  6. Bake 12–15 minutes until golden brown; they will still be soft when hot but crisp on cooling. Leave on the tray to cool completely before removing.
The Gastrographer

The Gastrographer

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Ingredient originTrade or transit route
Became a culinary stapleColonial / trade control
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