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Classic Anzac Biscuits

Anzac biccies on a blue plate, sitting next to a colourful apron with a green plant in the background

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Anzac Biscuits

ANZAC Biscuits are a deliciously addictive treat! They’ll transport your taste buds to the land down under, because these iconic biscuits were invented in Australia and New Zealand. They’re made by combining oats, coconut, and golden syrup for a subtle sweetness and uniquely hearty texture that’s both crispy and chewy. ANZAC Biscuits are perfect for dunking in tea or coffee, or simply enjoying as a snack.

If you love chewy cookies, you’ll also love my recipe for the yummiest chewy chocolate chip cookies. You can also give this easy gluten-free banana bread recipe a try for banana bread that’s actually moist without feeling overly filling.

Why You’ll Love ANZAC Biscuits

This is the perfect recipe if you’re looking for another recipe to try. The oats and coconut make these a treat everyone loves – even kids – and the consistency and texture makes them a filling snack for kids. These biscuits have a unique combination of flavors and textures that make them both crispy and chewy at the same time. Plus, they are made with ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry, so they’re a quick and easy recipe when you’re short on time.

What are ANZAC Biscuits?

ANZAC biscuits are traditional Australian cookies made with rolled oats, coconut, flour, sugar, butter, golden syrup, baking soda, and boiling water. Because the biscuits are made with oats and coconut, they have a moist, chewy consistency and the golden syrup gives them a sweet, caramel-like flavor.

Legend has it that ANZAC Biscuits (the acronym for which stands for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps), were invented during World War I as a treat for wives and mothers to send to their men overseas. The oats and coconut helped the cookies stay moist and fresh on their long journey.

Now, they’re a staple treat commonly enjoyed throughout Australia and New Zealand but always shared on national holidays like ANZAC Day.

Helpful Equipment To Make ANZAC Biscuits

Here’s what you’ll need to make ANZAC Biscuits:

ANZAC Biscuit Recipe Ingredients

  • 1 cup of rolled oats
  • 1 cup of coconut
  • 1 cup of all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 125 grams of butter
  • 2 tablespoons of golden syrup
  • 2 tablespoons of water
  • 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda

tray of Anzac biccies

How To Make ANZAC Biscuits

First, preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or spray lightly with baking spray). Set aside.

To make traditional ANZAC biscuits mix together the dry ingredients, except for the baking soda. Place the oats, coconut, flour, and granulated sugar in a mixing bowl and use a large spoon to combine.

Then, measure out your butter (and melt it), golden syrup, water, and baking soda. Add them to the bowl.

Grab your hand mixer and beat everything together for 2-3 minutes, or until well combined and a thick dough forms. Use a spatula to scrape the bottom of the bowl a few times throughout mixing.

Scoop 2 tablespoon balls of dough out onto your parchment paper. Don’t place them too close together! Leave 1-2 inches so they can spread.

Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, until the center is set and they’re a deep yellow color. Remove from the oven and place the biscuits on a cooling rack to cool and set.

Prep Time

These biscuits take only about 10 minutes to prep! They’re super fast and simple to make.

Can I Make Gluten-Free ANZAC Biscuits

You can certainly make this recipe gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free all-purpose flour like Bob’s Red Mill. If you’re using pure oats, they should be be gluten-free, however, verify with your container that there are no additives.

Recipe Variations

The classic ANZAC biscuit recipe is delicious on its own. But you can fancy up the recipe or make some easy substitutions to make them your own or switch them up a bit.

Here are some ideas:

  • To give your biscuits a crunchy texture, add chopped nuts. I especially like almonds and pecans.
  • If you want a richer flavor, you can substitute brown sugar for the white sugar.
  • Raisins and other dried fruits are delicious! Just toss in about ½ cup.
  • If you want a different sweetness, feel free to try honey, agave nectar, or maple syrup in place of the golden syrup

Anzac biccies on a white plate, sitting next to a colourful apron with a green plant in the background

What is Golden Syrup?

Golden syrup is a popular ingredient in Australian baking, but it’s much less common in America. Golden syrup is an amber color with a syrupy consistency, similar to honey. However, it has a toffee flavor, so it tastes great in many baked goods.

It’s sometimes labeled as “light treacle.” You can find it at some grocery stores, but if you can’t find it near you, you can use any of these substitutes:

  • Light corn syrup
  • Honey
  • Maple syrup
  • Agave nectar
  • Mixture of 1 part molasses : 3 parts honey

Tips & Tricks and Recipe Notes

  • This recipe needs to use rolled oats, not quick oats. Quick oats will result in crunchy biscuits, not chewy ones.
  • Don’t over-mix this dough; mix only until just combined. Over-mixing can result in tough cookies.
  • Before removing the biscuits from the oven, let them sit for a couple of minutes on the baking sheet so they can firm up a touch before moving them to the cooling rack.
  • Try to keep the dough in balls on the cookie sheet, and don’t flatten them too much. That will help them stay thicker and chewier.

How to Store

Always keep your ANZAC biscuits in an airtight container. Keep them on the counter for up to a week, or store them in the freezer for up to three months.

FAQs

Can I use margarine instead of butter in this recipe?

Yes, you can use margarine instead of butter for a dairy-free option. This will make your ANZAC biscuits vegan.

My dough is really sticky. What should I do?

If your dough isn’t a thick, classic dough-like consistency and instead feels sticky, you can fix it by adding in flour a tablespoon at a time, until the stickiness is gone. Just be careful not to mix too much!

Anzac biccies on a blue plate, sitting next to a milk jug

Conclusion

Whether you’re an Aussie at heart or just looking for a new cookie recipe to try, ANZAC Biscuits are an adventure of flavor for your taste buds! Make these for your next potluck or get-together, or keep a container in the freezer to grab quick snacks on the go. Once you give these biscuits a try, you’ll want to keep a stockpile around!

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Anzac biccies on a blue plate, sitting next to a colourful apron with a green plant in the background

Anzac Biscuits


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  • Author: Sam
  • Total Time: 28 minutes
  • Yield: 16 1x

Description

ANZAC Biscuits are a deliciously addictive treat! They’ll transport your taste buds to the land down under, because these iconic biscuits were invented in Australia and New Zealand. They’re made by combining oats, coconut, and golden syrup for a subtle sweetness and uniquely hearty texture that’s both crispy and chewy. ANZAC Biscuits are perfect for dunking in tea or coffee, or simply enjoying as a snack.

If you love chewy cookies, you’ll also love my recipe for the yummiest chewy chocolate chip cookies. You can also give this easy gluten-free banana bread recipe a try for banana bread that’s actually moist without feeling overly filling.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 cup of rolled oats
  • 1 cup of coconut
  • 1 cup of plain flour
  • 3/4 cup caster sugar
  • 125 grams of butter
  • 2 tablespoons of golden syrup
  • 2 tablespoons of water
  • 1/2 teaspoon of bicarb soda

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
  2. Prepare a baking tray, place a sheet of baking paper on top.
  3. In a mixing bowl add, coconut, flour, caster sugar and bicarb soda. Mix together.
  4. Melt your butter in the microwave at intervals of 30 seconds until completely melted.
  5. Add the melted butter, golden syrup and water into the bowl with the dry ingredients and then mix well.
  6. Using either your hand or a spoon, scoop out roughly a tablespoon worth of batter. Roll it into a ball and place on prepared baking tray.
  7. Squish the balls of dough down a little.
  8. Bake for 15 minutes for a softer biscuit or 18-20 minutes for a crunchier biscuit.

Notes

  • You can use a hand or stand mixer but this recipe it fairly easy to use a spoon, I’d recommend a wooden spoon.
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 18
  • Category: Cookies, Dessert, Biscuits
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: Australian

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Anzac Biscuits Anzac Biscuits

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