One Smart Cookie

      Cookies have to be one of my favorite deserts to make and eat. They are generally pretty simple to throw together, and I've met very few that I didn't like. It's also very easy to change the recipes without totally screwing it up- you can add chocolate chips or other add ins, or change the flavoring from vanilla to almond and give an old favorite a totally different personality. Also, they bring back a lot of memories of baking with my family, particularly my mom and sister. Baking cookies was a favorite rainy day activity, although they didn't always turn out perfect- once I added twice the flour to a batch because I used the wrong measuring cup and ended up with chocolate rock cookies!

     This recipe for Anzac biscuits is a personal favorite of mine, both because it is simple and absolutely delicious. I inherited this recipe from my mom,but I'm not sure where she got the original recipe from. They are names after Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC), which was established during the first world war. It is claimed that they were a commonly made cookie during this era because they had a long shelf life and could be sent to soldiers overseas during the war. Although the traditional version are thicker, I like to flatten them till they are very thin prior to baking- it makes the edges caramelize, making them taste even better. I also typically use corn syrup instead of Lyle's can syrup because it's easier to find and less expensive.

They may have a long shelf life, but they won't last long!

Anzac Biscuits

-2 c all-purpose flour

-2 c rolled oats

-1 c unsweetened coconut 

-1 c sugar

-1 c brown sugar

-1/2 tsp salt

-1 c butter

-2 Tbs corn syrup (or Lyle's Golden Syrup)

-3/4 tsp baking soda

-1/3 c hot water

-1 tsp vanilla

-1 c toasted pecans, walnuts or almonds (I typically use pecans,  but used walnuts this time)

-mix flour, sugar, brown sugar, oats, coconut and salt in a large bowl.

-melt butter, mix with corn syrup, baking soda, hot water and vanilla in a separate bowl. Pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients and mix.

-scoop dough a tablespoon at a time onto cookie sheets and flatten with the palm of your hand.

-bake for 8-9 minutes at 350 F. Allow them to cool a little before removing from the tray- they are thin and fragile when warm.