ANZAC biscuits - what are they and how to make them?

I like Donna Hay’s recipes, but really you should find an old Country Women’s Association recipe. 
https://www.donnahay.com.au/recipes/occasions/anzac-biscuits 

INGREDIENTS

• 2 CUPS (180G) ROLLED OATS
• 1 CUP (150G) PLAIN (ALL-PURPOSE) FLOUR
• ⅔ CUP (150G) CASTER (SUPERFINE) SUGAR
• ¾ CUP (60G) DESICCATED COCONUT
• ⅓ CUP (115G) GOLDEN SYRUP+
• 125G UNSALTED BUTTER
• 1 TEASPOON BICARBONATE OF (BAKING) SODA
• 2 TABLESPOONS HOT WATER

METHOD

1. Preheat oven to 160°C (325°F). Place the oats, flour, sugar and coconut in a bowl and mix to combine.
2. Place the golden syrup and butter in a saucepan over low heat and cook, stirring, until melted. Combine the bicarbonate of soda with the water and add to the butter mixture. Pour into the oat mixture and mix well to combine.
3. Place tablespoonfuls of the mixture onto baking trays lined with non-stick baking paper and flatten to 7cm rounds, allowing room to spread. Bake for 8–10 minutes or until deep golden. Allow to cool on baking trays for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely. Makes 25
   

+ If you can’t find golden syrup, you could use ⅓ cup (80ml) maple syrup instead.

Tried and true easy recipe:

https://www.delicious.com.au/recipes/cwa-anzac-biscuit-recipe/nmk9c8nm   Has a useful video, too

joanne said:

... but really you should find an old Country Women’s Association recipe. 

From my copy of the CWA Victorian branch cookbook:

Back to Democracy Sausage for a sec,

The recipe is also listed in this article:

ANZAC biscuit recipe is a tightly-held tradition

The Australian Commonwealth Department which looks after former servicemen has this note and recipe on the website - https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/commemoration/event-planning/anzac-biscuits 

Hey marksierra, do we tell them about Arnott’s Butternut Snaps??

Hmm, easily veganized. Just replace the butter with any of the plant butters. I did have to look up golden syrup. It was also referred to as inverted sugar so I figured it had something to do with Australia being in the southern hemisphere and would require me to stand on my head while making it. Then I learned it was a British concoction so I don't have to do a headstand.

joanne said:

Hey marksierra, do we tell them about Arnott’s Butternut Snaps??

Butternut Snaps and Anzac biscuits are not the same. Butternut Snaps are a popular Australian biscuit made with golden syrup, oats, and coconut, while Anzac biscuits are a traditional Australian and New Zealand biscuit with a similar but distinct recipe.

Not that you need an excuse to bake a batch of ANZAC Biscuits, but if you're looking for an occasion then Thursday, the 8th of May, is a perfect one.

VE Day, otherwise known as Victory in Europe Day, falls on the 8th of May.  On that day in 1945 celebrations erupted around the world to mark the end of World War II in Europe.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of that event!