I love Anzac biscuits. Apparently they were made for the Australian and New Zealand troops overseas in WW1 because they kept really well, containing no milk or egg.
A friend posted a link to the New Zealand Women’s Weekly recipe earlier this week, so I thought I’d have a go and see how they turned out. Well, they tasted yummy, but were nothing like the Anzac biscuits of my childhood. They were also nothing like the picture on the NZWW’s website. (I am intrigued as to how they managed to make theirs so perfect and circular…)
I knew I had to consult an expert. My mum is the one who taught me how to bake, and would let me loose in her kitchen on Saturday mornings. Sometimes there were several of us kids in there, creating foodie magic chaos. Occasionally, things didn’t work out quite like we expected, like the chocolate fudge that never set and had to become chocolate sauce for ice-cream.
Mum and I discussed the NZWW recipe. “Too many rolled oats”, she reckoned. And she passed on the recipe she got from her mum, my Nanna, who I figure is more of an authority than the NZ Women’s Weekly in this case, as she was alive when the ANZACs landed at Gallipoli.
Nanna’s Anzac Biscuits
1 cup plain flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup coconut
1 tsp baking soda
2 tablespoons cold water (I used hot water)
1 tablespoon golden syrup
4 oz (113g) butter
Mix flour, sugar, oats and coconut in a bowl. Dissolve baking soda in water. Melt golden syrup and butter. Add wet ingredients to dry, and mix well. Form into balls and place on greased tray, allowing some room for the biscuits to spread while baking. Bake about 15 minutes in 180C oven till brown. Cool on tray for a few minutes, then place on wire rack to finish cooling.
Anzac biscuits – recipe from my Nanna, Jean McGonnell
These turned out lovely!
My mum also suggested Alison Holst’s recipe which is similar, and good if you want a slightly less buttery tasting biscuit.
Let me know if you have a fab recipe you want to share!
Family Recipe Friday is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.
John Pickering
hello from New Plymouth. Elizabeth and George were the parents of Louisa who married Michael McGonnell in 1888. (second marriage). I am the graveyard manager and would like to progress some repairs.
This may appear cheeky but the Tunnecliffe’s grave is falling apart in St Marys Churchyard and requires $500 to fix the sides and broken top. I can send you some pix if you are interested in helping restore the grave. If you are able to help please reply to me or ring me on 067584952 NZ. I seek some addresses or contacts. I assure you this is not a scan as I have recently renovated 35 grave sites with the help of $9500 contributions from local charities. These have been ones where no relatives could be found. I will be grateful to hear from you.
Best regards john Pickering
Maggie
John, thanks for getting in contact – I’m sure there is some way I can help. Will be in touch by email.
Maggie