Why did soldiers eat ANZAC biscuits?

The history of the Anzac biscuit is part of the Australian and New Zealand story. Making ANZAC biscuits is a great way to actively engage the family in commemoration activities for ANZAC Day.

During World War 1, people at home in Australia and New Zealand sent parcels to the ANZAC’s to show their support. Parcels of food supplemented the soldiers plain diet of tinned ‘bully’ beef’ (corn beef), rice, and hardtack, which is also know as ANZAC Wafer or ANZAC Tile. Many care parcels included biscuits made from rolled oats, golden syrup and flour, which had high nutritional value and kept well while being shipped overseas.

Back home the biscuits were often sold at fetes, galas, parades and other public events, to raise funds for the war effort. This connection to the troops serving overseas led to them being referred to as “soldier’s biscuits”. Now known as ANZAC biscuits, they are still a family favourite.

ANZAC biscuit recipes

The popular ANZAC biscuit is a traditional, eggless sweet biscuit. Early recipes did not include coconut.

The following recipe (without coconut) was published in The Capricornian (Rockhampton, Queensland) on Saturday, 14th August 1926.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup plain flour
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 tbsp golden syrup
• 2 tbsp boiling water
• 1 tsp bicarbonate soda (add a little more water if mixture is too dry)

Method:

1. Combine dry ingredients.
2. Mix golden syrup, boiling water and bicarbonate of soda until they froth. Add melted butter.
3. Combine butter mixture and dry ingredients.
4. Drop teaspoons of mixture onto floured tray, allowing room for spreading.
5. Bake in a slow oven.

The Country Women’s Association of New South Wales Calendar of Cake and Afternoon Tea Delicacies: a recipe for each day of the year (Sydney: The Association, 1933) included two recipes for Anzac biscuits, one without coconut and the following version which included coconut.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup each of rolled oats, sugar and coconut
• 1 tablespoon syrup
• 3/4 cup flour
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (dissolved in 2 tablespoons boiling water)

Method:

1. Melt butter.
2. Add syrup to dissolved soda and water. Combine with melted butter.
3. Mix dry ingredients and stir in liquid.
4. Place small balls on buttered tray and bake in moderate oven.
5. Lift out carefully with a knife as they are soft till cold.