Anzac biscuits

When you say that biscuits are from World War 1 they just don’t sound very appealing do they? These Anzac biscuits however are surprisingly delicious. My 7 year old wolfed them down. He didn’t complain that they weren’t covered in chocolate which is high-praise indeed!

These biscuits were made by wives and families of ANZACs (the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) and sent out to the soldiers who were serving in Gallipoli (so I’m guessing around 1916-1918).  I have to say, they would definitely be a welcome gift from home, they’re coconutty, sweet and delicious (and also very easy to make!)

Ingredients:

  • 85g/3oz porridge oats
  • 85g/30z desiccated coconut
  • 100g/4oz plain flour
  • 100g/4oz caster sugar
  • 100g/4oz butter
  • 1 tbsp golden syrup
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

These are super simple to make.

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C (160 if you’re using a fan oven), Gas 4.

Melt butter, sugar and golden syrup in a saucepan, then mix in all the other ingredients and stir well.

Spoon tablespoons of mixture onto a baking sheet with room between to allow for the biscuits spreading.

Bake for 8-10 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool.

World War 1 biscuits

The original recipe is from the Good Food Magazine 191 Cakes & Bakes book