METHOD

Preheat oven to 180°C (350° F).

Combine flour, oats, coconut and sugar in a bowl.

Melt butter and Golden Syrup (or honey) in a saucepan over a low heat. Mix baking soda with water and add to butter and Golden Syrup. Let cool slightly. Pour liquids into dry ingredients and mix well.

Spoon dollops of mixture, about the size of a walnut shell, onto a greased tin leaving as much space again between dollops to allow for spreading.

Bake in a preheated 180°C (350° F) oven, for 15-20 minutes. Cool on a wire rack and seal in airtight containers.

recipe from www.inmamaskitchen.com

Contributor: Margaret E. Walker       click to read more about Australian food        more cookie recipes

Bryan Wilson has kindly sent us this information:  "While it's true the biscuits and cookies are the same thing, ANZAC biscuits are NEVER called cookies and the name is actually protected under Australian law.

"Biscuits: In 1994 a general policy relating to biscuit products was adopted. The policy recognises that the names "Anzac biscuit" and "Anzac slice" have been in general use in Australia for many years, recipes appear in many cookbooks and biscuits are sold at numerous small fetes and fundraising events.

Approvals for the word 'Anzac' to be used on biscuit products have been given on the proviso that the product generally conforms to the traditional recipe and shape, is not advertised in any way that would play on Australia's military heritage, and is not used in association with the word 'cookies', which is considered to have non-Australian overtones.

In any other circumstance, to use the term ANZAC (an acronym for Australian New Zealand Army Corps) would require permission from the Minister for Veterans' Affairs.

So , although cookies and biscuits mean the same thing in Australia... ANZACs are NEVER cookies.

Some other notes about the ANZAC biscuits... they were originally made by the wives of soldiers during World War I to be sent to their husbands in battle. Since the ingredients were chosen for their long life (hence being able to make it from Australia to Europe and still be edible) they are also used by bushwalkers as emergency food and are still included in military ration packs."

Anzacs relate to soldiers biscuits.

Thank you, Brian, for this wonderful information.