Anzac biscuit is sweet biscuit made with flour, rolled oats, desiccated coconut, butter, and sugar, which are the main ingredients of this confectionery. Originally from Australia and New Zealand, these biscuits became popular during World War I and derived their name from being associated with the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps also known as ANZAC. Hence, these biscuits were named in honor of the soldiers who up gave their life during the war.
History of Anzac Biscuit Recipe
The first written reference to Anzac biscuit was made in the advertisement that was printed in the 7th edition of St Andrew’s Cookery Book, in the year 1915, wherein the recipe of the biscuit is mentioned. In this cookery book, the recipe of these biscuits was placed under the category of cakes. Thereafter, the mention of the cookie was also made in the War Chest Cookery Book that was published in the year 1917 in Sydney; however, this preparation method was not the same as we know today. But today’s recipe of these sweet biscuits is the prototype of the recipe “Rolled Oats Biscuits” that was published in this cookbook. Finally, the mention of the actual method of preparation of this biscuit was made in the year 1921 in the 9th edition of St Andrew’s Cookery Book that was published in Dunedin, under the name “Anzac Crispies”, which was later on changed to biscuits.
Preparation of Anzac Biscuits
These biscuit are sweet biscuit that are prepared with rolled oats, plain flour, sugar, desiccated coconut, butter and golden syrup, which form the main ingredients of anzac biscuit. Oats, sugar, flour and desiccated coconut make the mixture to which melted butter and golden syrup are added. Soda bicarbonate helps is leavening the dough and giving the biscuits a nice crunchy feel. Small batches of the mixture are placed on greased trays (ensuring there is enough space for the mixture to spread) to result in some delicious sweet biscuits.
Popular Dishes Similar to Anzac Biscuit Recipe
Anzac biscuit became popular post World War I, especially as it is a very easy to prepare cookie with ingredients that are easily available. However, there are other cookie recipes that are similar to Anzac and quite popular too. Some similar cookie recipes are –
Toasted Almond Sables – These cookies are made with whole wheat flour, currants, salted butter and sliced almonds.
Biscotti al Pistachio – These Italian bite-sized cookies are made with pistachio as the main ingredient.
Olive Biscuit Cookies – These cookies are more of a shortbread variation, more of a combination of a cookie and cracker, with a salty-sweet taste and flecked with olives.
Whole Wheat Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies – These delicious cookies made with oatmeal and whole wheat blended with chocolate chips make wonderful ice cream sandwich crackers.
Anzac Cookies Trivia
One main ingredient that generally goes into baked foods i.e., eggs, is not part of the recipe of these biscuits, as there was a scarcity of eggs during the World War I; hence, till date these biscuits are made without eggs.
Though these biscuits became popular with the Army of Australia and New Zealand, the regular biscuits also known as “tiles” and “wafers” were served by the Army and these were also known by the original name Anzac; however they were not the same. These tiles and wafers, which were very hard, were bread substitutes with longer shelf life and were served to the soldiers and were known as Anzac biscuit.
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