ANZAC Day Biscuits

Biscuits = Cookies for you Yanks out there.

The wives and mothers of the men who served were concerned about the nutrional value of the food they were being supplied and created this recipe to make sure they were well fed. The biscuits had to withstand a 2 month trip to get to the servicemen so nothing perishible could be sent. The interesting recipe note is that instead of eggs as a binder the women used treacle or golden syrup instead. This was because many of the poultry farmers had joined the war effort and eggs were scarce. The biscuits were sent in used tins (like tea tins) and now you can buy ANZAC biscuits at the grocery store year round. As it got close to ANZAC day a lot of the manufacturers started selling the cookies in reproduction tins. Thanks to the RSL Queensland site for the facts and recipe.

180g (6oz) butter
1 T golden syrup
1 t baking soda
2 T boiling water
2 C rolled oats
1 C flour
1 C brown sugar
1/2 C coconut
1 t ginger (optional)

Preheat oven to 150C / 275F.
Mix oats, flour, sugar, coconut and ginger. Mix well.
Melt butter and golden syrup. Add baking soda and boiling water. Mix well. Add to dry mix and mix well.
Place teaspoon sized balls of dough on a greased sheet, leaving space between as they will flatten.
Bake about 20min. When golden brown remove from oven and cool on wire rack. Store in airtight container.
Makes about 40 biscuits/cookies.