Kiwisizzler

My recent research into the subject of Home Baking in New Zealand has opened my eyes wide to the fascinating history which has moulded this kiwi food culture. As a precursor to the final article, which will hopefully appear in the August/September issue of NZ Inspired magazine, I present for you a tidbit of info on our iconic ANZAC Biscuit.

The Biscuit

Anzac biscuits were reputedly made by the wives of servicemen of the Australia and New Zealand Army Corp and had to survive the two months it took to reach them in the field. The recipe doesn’t contain any eggs, the main reason being that eggs were scarce at the time as the poultry farmers were a part of the armed forces. Anzac biscuits were originally called soldiers’ biscuits but the name changed after the Gallipoli landing. It is thought that the anzac biscuit was based on the traditional oat biscuits of Scotland. The term ANZAC is legally protected under Australian law but the biscuits have an exemption as long as they are made basically to the original recipe of rolled oats, flour, coconut, sugar, butter, golden syrup, bicarbonate of soda and boiling water. The sandwich chain Subway tried to sell anzac biscuits in late 2008 but as their supplier could not produce them to the original recipe in a cost effective way, they were dropped.

The Recipe

This recipe makes around 25 biscuits and takes a mere 10 minutes to prepare plus 12-15 minutes cooking time.

1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup desiccated coconut
100g butter
2 Tbsp golden syrup
1 tsp baking soda
2 Tbsp boiling water

1.    Preheat the oven to 180°C (or 170°C if using a fan oven).
2.    Mix the flour, sugar, rolled oats and coconut in a large bowl.
3.    Melt the butter and golden syrup in a small saucepan.
4.    Dissolve the baking soda in the boiling water.
5.    Add the soda and water to the melted butter and syrup.
6.    Mix the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients.
7.    Roll into walnut-sized balls and place on a greased oven tray, leaving room to spread.
8.    Bake around 15 minutes or until golden.
9.    Leave to cool slightly before removing from tray.