Everything you need to know about cooking & storing Anzac biscuits

Apr 10, 2024

Here are all your questions, answered.

Anzac biscuits hold a place in the hearts and homes of Australians and New Zealanders. These golden, crunchy-on-the-outside, chewy-on-the-inside treats have a rich, regimented history intertwined with wartime that the Department of Veterans Affairs takes very seriously. You can even cop a hefty fine for messing with the recipe.

When is Anzac Day?

The Anzac tradition was established on April 25, 1915 when the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula. We now take Anzac Day, April 25, to commemorate soldiers and veterans to ensure we do not forget the sacrifice and horror of war.

What are Anzac biscuits?

Anzac biscuits are a type of sweet biscuit made from oats, flour, desiccated coconut, sugar, butter, golden syrup, baking soda, and boiling water. They are known for their texture, which combines a crispy exterior with a chewy centre, as well as their historical significance for Aussie and Kiwi soldiers in WWI.

Why do we bake Anzac biscuits?

The golden syrup-based biscuits became synonymous with Aussie and Kiwi soldiers during World War I, when people on the home-front would often send parcels to the Anzacs to show their support. Parcels of food supplemented the soldiers’ plain diet of tinned ‘bully’ beef and hardtack, also known as the ‘Anzac wafer’ or ‘Anzac tile’. They could either be eaten as is, or broken up and turned into porridge. Today, baking Anzac biscuits serves as a way to honour the memory of those who served and commemorate the Anzac spirit of resilience and mateship.

Are Anzac biscuits healthy?

While Anzac biscuits are obviously delicious, they are not exactly a health food. They are relatively high in sugar and fat due to the inclusion of ingredients like butter and golden syrup. However, they do contain oats and coconut, which provide some dietary fibre so that’s a bonus.

Anzac biscuits. Source: delicious

Can you freeze Anzac biscuits?

Yes, you can freeze Anzac biscuits. Once baked and cooled, place the biscuits in an airtight container or freezer bag, separating layers with baking paper to prevent sticking. When ready to eat, thaw the biscuits at room temperature or reheat them in the oven for a few minutes until warm.

How do you make your Anzac biscuits chewy?

For those who prefer their Anzac biscuits with a chewy texture – which should be all of you – there are a few tricks to achieve this. One method is to slightly under-bake the biscuits, leaving them on the tray for a few minutes after removing them from the oven to continue cooking as they cool. Alternatively, using a higher ratio of golden syrup or substituting some of the sugar with brown sugar can help enhance the chewiness of the biscuits. Brown sugar has a higher moisture content than refined white sugar and can help to achieve that steamy, chewy goodness.

How long do Anzac biscuits last in a container?

Properly stored in an airtight container, Anzac biscuits can last for up to two weeks. However, their freshness and texture may start to diminish over time. To help prolong their shelf life, adding a slice of bread to the container can help absorb excess moisture and keep the biscuits from becoming stale.

Or you could eat them all in a day, like the true blue Aussie legend you are.

Is it ANZAC or Anzac?

The acronym of ANZAC was first devised by Major General William Birdwood’s staff in Cairo in early 1915. It was used for registering correspondence for the new corps, and a rubber stamp was cut using the letters A.&N.Z.A.C.

After the landing at Gallipoli, General Birdwood requested that the position held by the Australians and New Zealanders on the peninsula be called ‘Anzac’ to distinguish it from the British position at Helles.

Permission was also sought to name the small bay, where the majority of the corps had come ashore on 25 April 1915, ‘Anzac Cove’. The letters now were upper and lower case, indicating that the original acronym had already evolved beyond a military code word and into something much more spiritual.

Since that time, ‘Anzac’ and ‘ANZAC’ have been used interchangeably. There is no rule or law that indicates how the word ‘Anzac’ should be capitalised. But back to the biscuits.