Is this the ugliest cookie ever?
Unbaked, the cookie looks harmless - it is only once they emerge from the oven that their true ugliness is revealed!
I know what you’re thinking. “Ugly? It doesn’t really look ugly…” and you’re right. The cookie dough looks harmless, like any other regular cookie dough, and if anything it looks like it has more personality than plain cookie dough (such as that of regular sugar cookies). It’s deep caramel brown is quite inviting, and all those oats have got to be good for you, right? Well, yes - however, once these have had their turn in the oven they turn into misshappen lumpy brown saucers. I like to fondly refer to these as the ‘Quasimodo’ of the cookie world - ugly as all heck on the outside, but upon entering the mouth they turn into a chewy world of delight with the intensity from the golden syrup and dark brown sugar, and the scent of cinnamon wafting on their breath.
Yeah, I know that cookies don’t breathe, but let me wax lyrical for a second 
Not having baked anything for awhile, I was getting a terrible case of itchy fingers and I was twitching to make some kinda goodness. Preferably something on the easier side of easy as I wasn’t quite in the mood for labouring over the oven for ages, so after flipping through my cookbooks I ‘rediscovered’ this recipe for anzac cookies. “What’s an anzac?” you ask? The word refers to the Australian and New Zealand troops (ANZAC - Australian and New Zealand Army Corp) who fought in WW1, in particular those who fought at the disasterous battle of Gallipoli.
The scent that comes from baking these cookies is obscenely yummy
As for the recipe for the cookie itself, nobody seems to have a definitive answer as to how they came about. Some say that it was created by the mothers of the boys who went over, who worried about whether they were getting the nutrients they needed and decided to create a foodstuff that would not only survive the long postal journey, but also provide lots of goodness in every mouthful. Others say that they were created by women who used them in bake sales to help raise money to send the troops.
Whichever of these answers is correct, nobody can deny that these cookies have become an Australian icon, and that they deserve their place in Australian history. Not only that, these cookies are ridiculously easy to make and they store well in case you want to make a large batch to have around for awhile. Hah - good luck making them last that long 
Finally - I reveal to you the baked cookie ugliness in all it’s glory!
Anzac cookie ingredients (makes approx 40-50 cookies)
110g rolled oats
150g plain flour, sifted
65g desiccated coconut
150g dark brown sugar
1 heaped tsp cinnamon
125g butter, cubed
1/4 cup water
2 tbsp golden syrup
1 level tsp bicarbonate of soda (bicarb soda)
1. Preheat oven to 150 degrees C. Line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper.
2. Combine rolled oats, flour, desiccated coconut, sugar and cinnamon in a medium bowl and mix till combined.
3. Combine the butter, water and golden syrup in a small saucepan. Place over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the butter melts. Once the butter has melted, remove from the heat and stir in the bicarb soda. Immediately add this to the dry ingredients and use a wooden spoon to mix till combined.
4. Roll walnut-sized portions (about a tablespoon) of the mixture into balls and place on the tray about 5cm (2 inches) apart and flatten each ball with the palm of your hand. Bake in the oven for 18-25 minutes - 18 minutes will give you a softer chewy cookie whilst 25 minutes will give you a crunchier one.
5. Set aside the tray for 2-3 minutes, then transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool. Repeat with the rest of the mixture.
These taste marvellous at any time, but try one straight out of the oven when their cinnamon scent is strongest. They go particularly well with a glass of (soy) milk 
Technorati Tags: cookies, anzac, biscuits, Australian
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Comments
gauri ellox, i think you can make cookies breathe. they look almost alive. hello little cookies ! i wants to eat you !
Kat looks good to me! if I can get my hands on some coconut, I may have to give these a try.
Bea at La Tartine Gourmande You are funny! I bet they tasted great. I love those cookies, anyway! A good praise to Anzac day!
Lisa I don’t think these are ugly at all.. they look divine, as a matter of fact =) I love any kind of oatmeal cookie - and I really like the addition of coconut in these. I think raisins would be yummy as well 
payal These look yummy! Thanks for the brief history on Anzac Day…I love learning about traditions of other countries!
Ellie Jenjen - Thanks hon And I agree - they are definetely one of the tastiest cookies out there (which can be confirmed by my family, I made these last night and already they’re half gone!)
Gauri - Watch out, the recently resuscitated cookies are coming for youuuuuuuu!
Kat - I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you manage to find some coconut as these babies are way too tasty to not make
Bea - Hehehe, cheers And they did taste pretty darn special!
Lis - LOL!! You should see the picture of the whole cookie - I decided not to include them as they looked so offputting that I thought people might dismiss them on that basis! And you’re right, raisins taste wonderful in this mixture, but I have to be careful about adding raisins to anything as my brother hates them 
So much that one time I made carrot cake with raisins, and he picked out every single one when having a slice!
Payal - My pleasure Glad you liked the cookies and the post!
Emily Quasimodo or not, I really want a cookie now.
p.s.: hoping you’re not minding, but as i’ve become a regular reader i’ve added you to my list o’ links.
Ellie Cookies are awesome I think every household should always have a stash of homemade cookies as they are just the thing to give you a little sugar rush! As for the adding to your blogroll, I’m flattered and glad you find this ol’ thing interesting enough to read regularly!
They may not be the prettiest cookies, but they are one of the tastiest and are one of the great Aussie icons. Well done for giving the humble Anzac the praise that it deserves : )