What is ANZAC Day?
Anzac Day is held every year on April 25 is one of Australia and New Zealand’s most important and revered national occasions. The ANZAC acronym stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. This day marks the anniversary of the first major military action the countries’ forces fought during World War I.
Anzac Day is a time in which Australians reflect on the many different meanings of war, while honouring those who have given their lives for their country.
The brave Australians and New Zealanders who served and lost their lives at war to maintain peace are remembered and honoured in these countries on Anzac Day on April 25.
5 Fascinating facts about Anzac Day
- The Anzacs were only volunteers. Brave men signed up for the Anzacs voluntarily to fight for their country.
- A traditional gambling game called ‘Two-up’ is only played on Anzac Day in Australia.
- The last surviving soldier who fought in the Gallipoli campaign, Alec Campbell, passed away in 2002.
- Originally, the Anzac biscuits were hard, square biscuits that became a staple food and even souvenirs. Anzac biscuits were also known to break teeth too!
- The soldiers on both sides called a truce during the Gallipoli campaign for eight hours to bury their dead.
I did this little bit of research because I have heard about Anzac biscuits and wondered what they were and of course, what the recipe was and how they tasted.
If you are also interested I have found a recipe and recorded a little video of the making and baking of the biscuits in case you would like to try them too. Here's the link to watch the results on my You Tube Channel;
I will also be taste testing them with a lovely cup of tea so why not join me?
Anzac Biscuits recipe
These iconic biscuits were originally made to send to the ANZACs (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) serving in Gallipoli
Ingredients
- 85g porridge oat
- 85g desiccated coconut
- 100g plain flour
- 100g caster sugar
- 100g butter, plus extra butter for greasing
- 1 tbsp golden syrup
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
Preparation and cooking time
Total time 35 mins
Makes 20
Method
- STEP 1
Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Put the oats, coconut, flour and sugar in a bowl. Melt the butter in a small pan and stir in the golden syrup. Add the bicarbonate of soda to 2 tbsp boiling water, then stir into the golden syrup and butter mixture.
- STEP 2
Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and pour in the butter and golden syrup mixture. Stir gently to incorporate the dry ingredients.
- STEP 3
Put dessertspoonful’s of the mixture on to buttered baking sheets, about 2.5cm/1in apart to allow room for spreading.
Bake in batches for 8-10 mins until golden.
Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
You can click here to watch my video making the recipe.
Verdict – delicious; a cross between a flapjack and an oat biscuit. Crisp on the outside and crunchy on the outside. Gone down a treat in my house!
Enjoy!
Happy baking
Mel x