happy anzac day!
if you’re not familiar with australia or new zealand history, then you’ll have no idea what that means. i didn’t either, till i stumbled across these cookies. there’s nothing wrong with learning a little world history because of a cookie, right?! so i’ll pass it on.
april 25th is anzac (australian new zealand army corps) day. on this day in 1915, during world war one, the soldiers of australia and new zealand landed in gallipoli to fight the turkish army and knock out the ottoman empire. these “biscuits” were shipped to the soldiers by their wives, mothers and girlfriends to send their love and keep their men nourished. because the sweet treats needed to travel long distances by boat, it was important they would not spoil. the campaign failed at gallipoli, but the efforts of the anzac troops were courageous and are remembered with pride by each country.
this anzac biscuit is pretty typical of what’s being baked and eaten today on the other side of the globe, other than the gluten free flour, of course. also, the traditional recipe calls for golden syrup or treacle, something we americans don’t usually have on hand. but if you do, use it!
Anzac Biscuits
Servings 1 1/2 dozen
Ingredients
- 85 grams 1 cup rolled oats (gluten-free)
- 130 grams 1 cup kumquat's all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- 2 teaspoons pectin sure-jell
- 1/4 cup butter
- 3 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 2 tablespoon boiling water
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- turbinado sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300`.
- Combine first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl.
- Melt butter and corn syrup in a small saucepan. Remove from heat. Combine boiling water and baking soda. Add mixture to butter mixture.
- Add butter mixture to dry mixture and stir well to combine. Roll 1-inch balls of dough and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, allowing room to spread. Press a finger-full of turbinado sugar onto tops of dough. Chill for 10 minutes.
- Bake at 300` for 23 minutes, or until almost set. Cool 3 minutes; transfer to cool completely on wire racks.
