Around here, it’s standard operating procedure to collect and modify recipes…but not too often that I have to translate a recipe. Before anyone starts getting impressed with my linguistics, this is a recipe that I translated from Australian to Midwest American….uh, English. April 25 is Anzac Day, a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps = ANZAC), similar to Memorial Day or Veterans Day in the US. This recipe for Anzac Bars comes from an unlikely source…my husband’s 20 year old yearbook from Capernwray Bible Schools in Australia. Apparently these cookies were such a hit, the school chef was pursuaded to publish it. But she published it in “Australian”…and in cafeteria proportions! So here’s the pared-down version translated for my Midwest peeps!
Anzac Bars
1 cup plain flour (1 cup flour)
1 cup porridge oats (1 cup old fashioned rolled oats)
1 cup desiccated coconut (1 cup coconut)
130g margarine (1 stick margarine, I use Fleishmann’s Unsalted Margarine)
1/3 cup treacle or golden syrup (1/3 cup corn syrup)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (1/2 teaspoon baking soda)1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.)In a large mixing bowl, mix together the flour, oats and coconut.
3.) In a medium saucepan, heat the corn syrup, brown sugar and margarine together until boiling.
4.) Add the baking soda. It will foam up nicely.
5.) Pour the sugar sauce over the dry mixture and blend well.
6.) Dump into a 9 x 13 pan and bake for 20 minutes, or until puffy and golden on top.
So hard to wait!!!
Super! I needed a dessert for tonight!! I have all the ingredients and apparently it’s very fitting for today. Even better. Now I can teach everyone something new. Thanks!
A little bit history and firendship while eating Anzac biscuits….
“The Words of Ataturk are inscribed on a memorial at ANZAC Cove (
“Those heroes that shed their blood
and lost their lives;
You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.
Therefore rest in peace.
There is no difference between the Johnnies
and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side
here in this country of ours.
You, the mothers,
who sent their sons from far away countries,
wipe away your tears;
your sons are now lying in our bosom
and are in peace.
After having lost their lives on this land they have
become our sons as well.”
Ataturk, 1934
ANZAC Day, the 25th of April, is a very special day in Australian (and New Zealand) history. ANZAC stands for the Australia New Zealand Army Corps and the reason that it is so important is that on the 25th of April, 1915 Australia went into battle for the first time as an independent nation. We had only became a country in 1901 – before that we were a loose collection of colonies – and this was our “baptism of fire” on the shores of Gallipoli.
Our troops landed on beaches (now called ANZAC cove) on the Turkish peninsular at dawn in this fateful day. They suffered a terrible defeat but our men fought with great bravery and would have succeeded if not for one man – Mustafa Kemal, later known as Ataturk. Although it was a disaster it brought out some great characteristics of mateship and sacrifice for this little island continent of ours. We talk about the “Anzac Spirit” which was born that day and use the term as a mark of the greatest respect. We use this day to remember those who fought, and especially those who fell, in this war and all subsequent wars.”
Thanks Rachel, that’s really cool!
Tried these yesterday and they are excellent. So simple yet so tasty.
I love this version of the yummy Anzac Biscuits. Thank you for sharing a little history with this recipe. These are incredibly tasty and I currently have my second batch in the oven (I made a double batch this time) I am even taking in a tray of them to my 4year old twins kindy this weekend as we are having a bake sale. Although I am finding it very difficult to share since they are so yummy I want to keep the whole lot for myself lol!!!
Keep the wonderful recipes coming it is so great to find allergy friendly recipes that are so tasty!!
Kate (from Queensland, Australia)
Oh dear Kate, you must have been laughing at my ‘translation’ from Australian to Midwest American!
Hi Meg, I am from Victoria, Australia and want you to know you did a great job of translating :). I am married to an American and I went through that type of thing with US->AUS recipes that I loved and had to ring my sister in law at $2 per minute for instructions. She visited and had to do the same after buying recipe books out here :). It’s been a fun journey, even the cuts of meat are so very different ! I’m enjoying your recipes….thank you for taking the time to keep us informed and I look forward to any main meal ideas although that is not as difficult to find as sweet foods are. Have a great day, Peta Walker 🙂
Love this! I have family and friends in Australia. Will be making these and thinking of them But I will be making them gluten and sugar free–a la our family’s needs :).