Anzac biscuits are a humble and homely antipodean snack with a long and honoured history. They pay tribute to our fallen and returned servicemen and women. They also honour those who stayed behind, keeping the home fires burning. And as the story goes, supporting those on the front line with care packs of these long life, high energy snacks.
How to make Anzac Biscuits
Place in a saucepan:
- Half a cup of butter
- 2 tablespoons of boiling water
- 1 tablespoon of golden syrup
- 1 teaspoon of bicarb soda
Heat and stir until the mixture froths, adding the bicarbonate soda last.
Add to mixture:
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 cup of flour
- 1 cup of rolled oats
- 1 cup of coconut
Mix together, and roll into small balls. You can use a tablespoon full of the mix for each ball. Place balls of mix on a greased or lined tray and flatten with a fork or spoon.
Bake in a moderate oven (set to 180⁰ Celsius or 350⁰ Fahrenheit) for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden. You can bake them for 20 minutes or more for a darker and crunchier texture.
Dietary needs
There are some very easy substitutions for gluten, dairy-free and vegan biscuits you can make.
To make these biscuits gluten free, swap oats for quinoa flakes, flaked almonds or rice flakes and flour for gluten-free flour.
To make these biscuits dairy-free and vegan, swap out the butter for Nuttelex, margarine or olive oil.
Ways to commemorate ANZAC Day
On the 25th of April 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula. These became known as Anzacs and the pride they took in that name continues to this day. On 25th April each year, we commemorate the sacrifice and dedication of all Australian and New Zealander servicemen and women.
ANZAC Day services are held at a local level across both Australia and New Zealand. There is often a Dawn Service, an ANZAC March and a Day Service.
COVID-19 is still a very real threat, especially for those of us who are older or with health conditions. Most Anzac ceremonies are held outdoors, and with social distancing and mask-wearing, should be relatively safe for most people to attend. If you don't yet feel comfortable at crowded events, you can still commemorate from home.
If you wish to participate in a local event, contact your local RSL club or check your local newspaper or community radio for more information.
Ways to commemorate at home
Bake Anzac biscuits
Try our basic recipe above or use your own family recipe. Baking is a beautiful and humble way to pay tribute to the fallen and returned servicemen and women of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC). Plus, you get to share the fruits of your labour with family and friends!
Light a candle or lantern
You can light a candle or even make your own Anzac Day lantern to light and commemorate from home. You can easily use a cut in half milk bottle, decorate it with poppies, rosemary or names of fallen or returned servicemen and women important to you. Just pop a tealight candle in the base of the milk bottle and light it when you are ready.
Go to Upcycle a Milk Bottle Into an Anzac Day Lantern for ideas and images.
Research your family’s military history
Australian War Stories
Australian War Stories is a collaboration between family memorial platform memories.com.au and media services company Mediality.
The individual wartime experiences of the 330,000 men and women who embarked overseas during the First World War are available free from Australian War Stories. The story of each ANZAC is presented as a unique online memorial timeline, revealing their journey from enlistment, training, embarkation and beyond.
Australian War Memorial
Many Commonwealth official records, photographs, diaries and letters can be found in the Australian War Memorial's digital collection.
The AWM is offering military family history research online and through a phone enquiry service.
You can submit your relative’s personal or service details and research questions online or by telephone. More information can be found at Research at the Memorial.
Ancestry
Meanwhile, platforms like Ancestry.com offer free trials, and often expand the collections available at peak times like Anzac and Remembrance Days.
If you have an ANZAC in your family tree, why not look them up and see what you can find about them? Or you might even discover one you didn't know about!
Watch ABC TV or iview
This year, just like every year, no matter where you may be, you can find all your Anzac Day coverage on the national broadcaster, the ABC.
The Dawn Service at the Australian War Memorial will be broadcast live on ABC TV, ABC NEWS channel, ABC iview, Radio National, ABC Local Radio and on the ABC listen app and on the Memorial's Facebook from 5.30 am (AEST).
The Veterans' March will be broadcast on ABC TV and ABC iview from 9.30 am (AEST). Learn more.
Go to Channel 20 on your television, use the iview app or visit iview.abc.net.au.
"At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them. Lest we forget."
