Anzac Biscuits

On the subject of posting recipes for holidays, here's another one of my favourites: The Anzac Biscuit. This was one of the first things I ever taught myself to bake simply because we had everything I needed in the pantry and it was "OMGeasy."

The humble Anzac Biscuit looking a little dressed up

Anzac biscuits are really really popular in Australia and New Zealand, made using rolled oats, flour, desiccated coconut, sugar, butter, golden syrup, bicarbonate of soda and boiling water. Some teacher I had in primary school taught us that these biscuits were sent by the wives to soldiers abroad because the ingredients do not spoil easily and the biscuits kept well during naval transportation and hence have long been linked with the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC).

Golden Syrup and Butter ready to go into the oven

 Coming from a country where home ovens are in short supply (I have yet to see one), it was only natural that our oven at home never got any use. I think it was also broken though.. so that may have been why.. 

Step 4: Add melted ingredients and dissolved baking soda to dry ingredients and mix to combine. DON'T TASTE TEST IT NOW. THE BAKING SODA TASTE IS GROSS.

That's besides the point. I then took it upon myself to buy an Edmonds Cookbook (a staple in any New Zealand kitchen) and work my way through the simplest recipes and be come a pro -afterall, the oven takes up about a quarter of my kitchen.. It's practically begging to be used.

Step 5: Roll spoonfuls into balls and press onto prepared baking trays, allowing space for biscuits to spread while cooking.

Years later, these delightful cookies are still my favourite thing to make. They are so easy to whip up and are a guaranteed favourite of any unexpected (or expected, I suppose) visitors you might be entertaining.

If you can resist eating them all now, go on to the next stage. You shall be greatly rewarded.

 And as I have recently found out -very easy to jazz up so you look like a total pro baker!

Just crushing up some pistachios

I stole this little trip from Gretchen, the runner up in "NZ's Hottest Home Baker" a show which, for a couple of weeks, had my mouth watering and eyes glued to the tv screen lest I miss any yummy goodies the contestants are baking. 

Step 7: Melt butter and chocolate in a saucepan or the microwave and stir until smooth and syrupy.

She loved to put crushed pistachios on anything she could get her hands on and, I have to admit, this act turned the most boring looking biscuits into classy morsels and also added a whole new depth of flavour. 

So go forth and create. And add crushed nuts to everything. Unless you're allergic. Then maybe don't.

ANZAC biscuits (makes 30 depending on size)

Multiply above by 15

Ingredients:

1 cup flour
1 cup caster sugar
1 cup desiccated coconut
2 cups rolled oats
125g butter
2 tbsp golden syrup
1 tsp baking soda
3 tbsp boiling water

Optional coating:

1 cup chocolate chips

25g butter

1/2 cup pistachio nuts, crushed into small pieces

1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped

Method:

1. Heat oven to 180°C (160°C fan bake). Line two baking trays with nonstick baking paper. 

2. Place flour, caster sugar, coconut and oats in a bowl and stir to combine. Make a well in the centre.

3. Place butter and golden syrup in a saucepan to melt, or microwave in a bowl to melt. 

4. Dissolve baking soda in boiling water. Add melted ingredients and dissolved baking soda to dry ingredients and mix to combine.

5. Roll spoonfuls into balls and press onto prepared baking trays, allowing space for biscuits to spread while cooking.

6. Bake for 15 minutes or until firm and golden brown. Remove to a wire rack to cool, and enjoy!

Or.. If you want them to be a little more special, carry on with the optional coating:

7. Melt butter and chocolate in a saucepan or the microwave and stir until smooth and syrupy.

8. Spread one half of each biscuit and quickly sprinkle over your mix of pistachio and cranberries. 

It will be delightful!

P.S. These babies will last for up to a week in an air tight container without tasting soggy and weird..