ANZAC Slice

Today, April 25 is ANZAC Day (celebrated yesterday in Australia and NZ because they are a day ahead) .  It is a day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand for those "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served." Courage, Endurance, Mateship, Sacrifice - that is the ANZAC Spirit.

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, not the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."

Lest we forget.

Traditionally, each year I make ANZAC biscuits but this year I thought I would make something a little different.  I remembered seeing a slice (or bar cookie) during my travels on the web, so I went in search of it.  It turns out there are quite a few recipes out there, some very similar and some with some tweaks.  I settled on one from Taste.com.auhttp://www.taste.com.au.  I really like this site, and they also produce my favorite Australian magazine, delicious.


This ANZAC slice tastes a little like an oatmeal cookie, but it has golden syrup and coconut added.  It was a big winner in our household, and the few leftover pieces will store well because there are no eggs in this recipe, which was the original intent of the ANZAC biscuit - families of the soldiers overseas wanted something they could mail via sea to their loved ones that would not spoil easily.

ANZAC Slice
(Printer Friendly Recipe)

Ingredients

• 1¼ cups all-purpose flour 
• 1¼ cups old-fashioned rolled oat
• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar 
• 1 cup shredded coconut (I used desiccated)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 10 tablespoons butter, chopped 
• 3 tablespoons golden syrup 
• ½ teaspoon baking soda 
• 2 tablespoons boiling water

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350℉.
2. Grease and line an 11x7 pan with baking paper, allowing a 1-inch overhang at long ends. 
3. Combine flour, oats, sugar, salt and coconut in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre. 
4. Place butter and syrup in a saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes or until smooth. 
5. Combine baking soda and boiling water in a jug. 
6. Remove butter mixture from heat and stir in bicarbonate of soda mixture. 
7. Add to flour mixture and stir to combine. 
8. Transfer to prepared pan. Using the back of a spoon, press mixture evenly into pan (I used my hands). 
9. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden. Cool in pan. 
10. Once cool cut into squares and enjoy.

Recipe adapted slightly from Taste.com.au