ANZAC Day Biscuits

Another tradition of ANZAC day, and Australia in general, are ANZAC biscuits. In Australia “biscuits” refers to cookies, and these particular ones are quite special. They can be used to commemorate ANZAC day or, a fun way to teach history. They started out as a cooking experiment to find a way to make a biscuit families could send in the mail to their ANZACs with out it arriving impossible to eat. (Australian mail has and still does take a long time to get any where) Eventually, a recipe for a hard/crisp biscuit was come upon and became very popular with the families and ANZACs.
Like all good recipes, there is plenty of variation from baker to baker, but here is a basic ANZAC biscuit recipe if anyone wants to try a bit of Australia!

Makes about 24 biscuits

Ingredients
1 cup plain flour
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup Ward McKenzie desiccated coconut
3/4 cup brown sugar
125g butter
2 tbs golden syrup
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
2 tbs water

Method
Preheat the oven to 320°F. Line two baking trays with non-stick baking paper. Sift the flour into a large bowl. Stir in the oats, coconut and brown sugar.
Put the butter, golden syrup and 2 tbs water in a small saucepan. Stir over a medium heat until melted. Stir in the bicarbonate of soda.
Pour the butter mixture into the flour mixture and stir until combined.
Roll level tablespoons of mixture into balls. Place on the trays, about 5cm apart.
Press with a fork to flatten slightly. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
Set aside on the trays for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack so it cools completely.