What is Anzac Day and what do you require to make an Anzac biscuit?

A year after the remembrance services were cancelled due to Covid, Anzac Day has returned in New Zealand and Australia to honour servicemen and women.

Traditionally held at dawn across the countries, ceremonies at war memorials marked both the role of the military – and the change in coronavirus levels over the last twelve months.

Prince William marked the occasion at the Wellington Arch in London, paying tribute to the ‘indomitable spirit’ of Anzac troops.

He sent the message – along with some Anzac biscuits – to the New Zealand and Australian High Commissions in the capital.

What is Anzac Day?

Celebrated every year on 25 April, Anzac Day is a memorial date in Australia and New Zealand, spent honouring those who have defended their countries and served in the armed forces. 

Anzac stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and similar to the tradition of Remembrance in the UK, poppies are used as a symbol of respect, honour and remembrance and are traditionally associated with the day. 

The tradition of honouring Australia and New Zealand’s servicemen and women began in 1916 and was first introduced to commemorate Australian and New Zealand troops’ contributions in Galipoli, Turkey, fighting the Ottoman Empire during the First World War.

While the original service was held to commemorate soldiers, now the date is used as a memorial day for all the many contributions the two countries have made to ‘wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations’.

What are Anzac biscuits?

Anzac biscuits are a delicious treat traditionally associated with Anzac Day.

Made using oats, coconut and golden syrup, the oaty biscuits became associated with Anzac Day because the same biscuits were thought to have been sent to soldiers during the First World War and onwards. 

The ingredients in the biscuits made them ideal for sending to troops overseas because of their long-lasting shelf life. 

The ingredients you need to make an Anzac biscuit recipe at home are as follows: 

• 85g porridge oats 
• 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 

How to make Anzac biscuits:

1. Heat your oven to 180C (fan) or otherwise 160C/gas 4 
2. Chuck the oats, coconut, flour and sugar in a bowl 
3. Melt the butter in a small pan and stir in the golden syrup 
4. Add the bicarbonate of soda to 2 tbsp boiling water, then stir into the golden syrup and butter mixture 
5. 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 
6. Put dessert spoonfuls of the mixture (without eating it) on to buttered baking sheets, about 2.5cm/1in apart to allow room for spreading 
7. Bake in batches for 8-10 mins until golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Then TUCK IN!

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