Commemorating ANZAC Day this April 25th? Re-up to this recipes so you can show your ANZAC Pride and remember those near and dear to your family.
ANZAC Day means different things to different people; I love that for one day a year, the history we share with our cousins in Australia becomes stronger and more authentic than usual on April 25th. ANZAC Day gives me a moment every year to think about my Grandparents and the realities they must have faced; and that ultimately the things that they lived through has paved the way for the incredible privilege and safe existence I recognize and am grateful for. My ultra cool Grandfather Monty was a decorated Navy man; and above that he was a Submariner…yes a Submarine officer, that blows my mind. Monty also, being the badass that he was during his service, swam away from two scuttled or torpedoed vessels – so yeah, hero level Grandadding there.
ANZAC Biscuits and their history I reckon are best summed up by the good ol’ Edmonds Cookbook:
During the First World War (28 Jul 1914 – 11 Nov 1918), the wives, mothers and girlfriends of soldiers were concerned about the nutritional value of the food being supplied to their men. Any food they sent to the fighting men had to be carried in the ships of the Merchant Navy. Most of these were lucky to maintain a speed of ten knots (18.5km/h). Most had no refrigerated facilities, so any food sent had to be able to remain edible after periods in excess of two months. The women came up with the answer: a nutritional biscuit. The basis was a Scottish recipe using rolled oats. The ingredients they used were sugar, plain flour, coconut, butter, golden syrup or treacle, bi-carbonate of soda, boiling water and the rolled oats. All these items did not readily spoil. At first the biscuits were called Soldiers’ Biscuits, but after the landing on Gallipoli, they were renamed Anzac 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. As the war drew on, many groups such as the Country Women’s Association devoted a great deal of time to the making of Anzac Biscuits
So this ANZAC Day why not whip up an ANZAC inspired recipe and remember those in your family who dedicated themselves to the effort?
ANZAC DAY MVP – Anna Cameron of Just A Mum NZ.com
Before we kick off a special mention goes to Kiwi blogger, baker and Mum Anna Cameron from Just A Mum who has a real love for ANZAC Baking and has FOUR recipes to cherish on this day of remembrance: Delicious ANZAC Slice, ANZAC Muffins with a Caramel Filling, ANZAC Slice with Caramel Centre and the tradish – ANZAC Biscuits. Check out the recipes here:
ANZAC Muffins with a Caramel Filling
ANZAC Slice with Caramel Centre
If you’re heading out to one of the Dawn Services or plan to get along to one of the ANZAC Parades in your suburb then you might want this ANZAC Brekkie treat to keep you going from Dish Magazine NZ – Anzac Muesli Clusters
You can’t go past the Edmonds Classics Cookbook for the originator of ANZAC Bikkies
Relax and Roam also have a great traditional Anzac Biscuit recipe you might like to check out too:
Lights, Camera, BAKE! have a scrumptious traditional Anzac Recipe for you to try:
Get a litle artisan with your ANZAC Bicuits and include Apricot, Sunflower Seeds and a Chocolately base; like these ones from Kiwi Foodie blog Foodlovers by Helen Jackson.
Chewy Apricot and Sunflower Anzac Biscuits with Chocolate Bases
Need a Gluten-Free Anzac Biscuit recipe? My Darling Lemon Thyme has got you covered with this Quinoa based recipe
Gluten-Free Quinoa Anzac Biscuit Recipe
The ever-awesome Maria at Happy Mum Happy Child has created this delectable and GLUTEN-FREE Gooey Caramel Anzac Slice
Gluten-Free Gooey Caramel Anzac Slice
Need a Vegan Anzac Biscuit? BOOM – Lazy Cat Kitchen has got you fam!
#Fitspo but don’t wanna miss out on commemorating your loved ones this Anzac Day? Then (The Healthy) Anzac Biscuit from Peak Fitness and Health could be what you’re craving.
Then take all those thoughts of healthy away with this No Bake Caramel Anzac Cheesecake – GTFO!
No Bake Caramel Anzac Cheesecake
Kiwi Country Girl brings the realness with this yummy Anzac Slice:
Get decadent with this recipe from Dish Magazine – Anzac Thins with Salted Caramel! I don’t know about you but I think there’s something missing from this recipe, which is some French Vanilla ice cream on the side. Yum.
Anzac Thins with Salted Caramel
Perhaps these White Chocolate and Cranberry Anzac Biscuits from NZ food blog Made From Scratch could be just the thing you’re after for morning tea after being out and about commemorating with your family and community.
White Chocolate and Cranberry Anzac Biscuits
If you’ve got kids home for the school holidays around Anzac Day then you should definitely get into baking some Anzac Bikkies with them and chat about the scientific reactions that take place. Check out Go Science Girls and their post to tell you all about the cool experiment aspects
Edible Fizzy Science with Anzac Biscuits
I looove me some Cheesecake so when NZ baker and kick ass Pin Up and Retro Fashion blogger and vlogger (and my buddy) Miss Charlotte Cake created her Anzac Biscuits Mini Cheesecake Recipe I was all like – Hello Beautiful! This would be the perfect recipe to make for Anzac Day dinner so you can get your active relax on in the afternoon.
Anzac Biscuits Mini Cheesecake Recipe
In Rhi’s Pantry has created a delicious package of Chocolate Anzac Biscuit & Caramel Sandwiches over on her NZ food blog and they look divine! Yuuum!
Chocolate Anzac Biscuit & Caramel Sandwiches
Wishing you a mindful and serene Anzac Day and I hope you can take some time to remember the members of your family and how they’ve made a difference to your life and world today.
