Anzac Biscuits - the unassuming cookies that are oh-so-good! (2024)

FAQs

What do Anzac biscuits symbolize? ›

The majority of rolled oats biscuits were in fact sold and consumed at fetes, galas, parades and other public events at home, to raise funds for the war effort. This connection to the troops serving overseas led to them being referred to as “soldier's biscuits”.

A point of interest is the lack of eggs to bind the ANZAC biscuit mixture together. Because of the war, many of the poultry farmers had joined the services, thus eggs were scarce. The binding agent for the biscuits was golden syrup or treacle.

The original Anzac biscuit was known as an Anzac wafer or tile and, along with beef bully, was part of the rations given to our soldiers during World War I. They were included instead of bread because they had a much longer shelf-life.

According to taste.com.au Food Editor Miranda Payne, the traditional Anzac biscuit was the harder, crunchy version. Over time, the original recipe was modified with variations being cooked for less time (making them chewier) or adding more sugar (so they're super crispy).

They might contain laurel, a traditional symbol of honour, and rosemary, or they may be native or other flowers. In recent years, it has also become popular to lay a wreath of red poppies—formerly associated with Remembrance Day, 11 November. Any of these wreaths or flowers are acceptable as a gesture of remembrance.

ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they took in that name endures to this day.

The army biscuit, also known as an Anzac wafer or Anzac tile, is essentially a long shelf-life, hard tack biscuit, eaten as a substitute for bread.

As we know, biccies or biscuits in Australia are essentially what an American would call a 'cookie. ' We give the name 'biscuit' to both sweet and savoury varieties, and bites of many different shapes and textures (from Anzac biscuits to Tim Tams, to crackers).

Traditional 'Gunfire' - rum in a cup of coffee, tea or milk is also be served. 'Gun fire' was originally a British military term referring to the early cup of tea served out to troops in the morning the rum was added for an extra tipple of courage for the day ahead.

The use of the word 'Anzac' in the commercial production and sale of Anzac biscuits is usually approved, however the biscuits must not substantially deviate from the generally accepted recipe and shape, and must be referred to as 'Anzac Biscuits' or 'Anzac Slice' (not 'Anzac Cookies').

What food did Anzac biscuits replace? ›

Known as 'hardtack biscuits' the original biscuits were a nutritional substitute for bread and, as the name suggests, they were very, very hard.

Anzac biscuits are made with brown butter and honey or golden syrup for a perfect depth of flavour. These chewy Anzac biscuits keep well, so are great to make ahead of time. Anzac biscuits do not require any chill time, so come together quickly for the perfect soft and chewy homemade Anzac biscuit.

The red poppy is a symbol of remembrance of those who died or suffered in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. Canadian Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae first described the red poppy, the Flanders' poppy, as the flower of remembrance.

It's a popular myth that they're called Anzac biscuits because they were shipped to the Anzac soldiers during the war. However, while it's true that they travel excellently and don't contain any ingredients that easily spoil, the name “Anzac biscuits” didn't meet up with these buttery, oaty cookies until the 1920s.

Anzac came to stand for the positive qualities which Australians have seen their forces show in war. These qualities are generally accepted to include endurance, courage, ingenuity, good humour, and mateship.