I say this with some authority as I have now five different recipes in my (rather extensive) file...the last version added by my friend Ginny who visited for lunch during the week and kindly sent me her recipe. She described her recipe as producing a very flat, crispy version. My mum used to make these crispy thin flattened version of the ANZAC, almost brandy snap thin, when I was a child.
Generally speaking, I prefer a more robust, crunchy solid biscuit, especially if it is to go into a lunch or picnic box...simply because they travel so much better. My other recipes are simply variations on the general theme and all carry the names of the recipe donor.
One from a dear long lost family friend, produces a bendy, chewy biscuit that the children christened "Sponge Bob" ANZACS many years ago. I am not quite sure why they thought that name appropriate but it gave them great amusement at the time.
I have included the link to my current favourite recipe if you don't have access to one of your own. These biscuits are pretty universally known throughout New Zealand and Australia...originally they were a fairly economical long lasting treat for mums and wives to bake and sent to their solders so far away from home.
They are a great recipe for young cooks to try their hands at, with little in the way of anything fancier than a bowl and wooden spoon required, although the very small will need assistance in melting the butter and managing the oven, of course.
Some are heavy on the coconut, others have slightly more oats, some are evenly shaped, others less so. However, one thing holds true which ever recipe is used and whether you use white or brown sugar, golden or maple syrup, add coconut or not, these are always delicious!
I mention maple syrup because I used maple syrup and sugar to make these for a treat deprived Canadian friend in Sydney a few years back.
In the meanwhile I have a pan of feijoas and apples simmering on the stove ready to make a feijoa sponge pudding for supper tonight...not sure what else will be on the menu, but pudding is certainly well covered...the scent is simply fabulous, I wish I could share it with you...
Di