This year Anzac Day falls within the school holidays, so what better way to commemorate this important memorial day than baking Anzac biscuits with your family. While ceremonies, parades, and dawn services are integral parts of this special commemoration, another great tradition, plus something to keep the kids occupied, is the baking and sharing of Anzac cookies.
Anzac cookies were originally sent by wives and mothers to soldiers involved in the conflict overseas during World War One. Made with simple and affordable ingredients, these cookies were designed to withstand long journeys by sea to reach the troops on the front lines. Their durability and long shelf life made them an ideal treat for soldiers in need of a taste of home.
To help you have fun with the kids, while doing something proactive to remember our servicepeople, we’ve shared our favourite recipe below so you can have a go at making them.
Anzac Cookie Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup plain flour
- 1 cup desiccated coconut
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons golden syrup
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoons boiling water
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F) or gas mark 3 and line a baking tray with baking paper
- In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, coconut, and brown sugar.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter and golden syrup over low heat until combined.
- Dissolve the baking soda in the boiling water and add it to the butter mixture.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
- Roll tablespoon-sized portions of the mixture into balls and place them on the prepared baking tray, leaving some space between each cookie.
- Flatten each ball slightly with the back of a fork.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the tray for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
We like to dip our cookies in a cup of tea while they are still warm. A perfect way to warm up after a dawn parade, or relax after the potential chaos of baking with children!
Coming together as a family to bake is a nice way to honour the memory of the Anzacs and a good way to introduce smaller children to some of the meaning behind this special holiday.
Cooking with gas
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