ANZAC biscuits

Being the 99th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign we made ANZAC biscuits. These were first made for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps troops serving overseas in World War One, because the ingredients could withstand the long ship journey to Europe. Recent research by Adelaide food historian Allison Reynolds has uncovered a pre 1920 recipe (without coconut). Here it is:

2 cups rolled oats
1 cup plain flour
0.5 cup granulated sugar
125 g butter (half a block)
2 tablespoons golden syrup
2 tablespoons boiling water
1 teaspoon baking soda
150 C fan oven 15-18 mins

Melt butter and mix all ingredients. Roll into balls. Place on baking tray 5 cm apart (they will spread out). Bake. The baking time determines the level of crunchiness v chewiness.
We made them to this recipe and tarted some up unhistorically with crushed macadamia nuts and chocolate chips.

ANZAC Day is commemorated every 25th April with dawn services and parades by current and former service men and women. Its traditions are deeply embedded in the Australian psyche.