Anzac biscuits

I don't think there is anyone in Australia or New Zealand, or any Australian or New Zealand expat that hasn't heard of the Anzac biscuit.  It is synonymous with these countries down under (the story of where they originated can be found here).  I can't remember when or where I tried my first Anzac biscuit, though I do remember that I made my first ones in Home Economics back in yesteryear.  I believe they were edible.  Since then, I've tried many Anzac biscuit recipes and while most have turned out tasting like Anzacs, I find that most recipes I can taste the bicarb, though I do not want to reduce the amount lest it makes it chewier than I prefer.  I found a new recipe that adds a teaspoon of ginger.  While the ginger is quite subtle, it does give the biscuit a nice spice aftertaste, and it takes away the bicarb aftertaste!  I think this may become my go-to Anzac biscuit recipe, and the bonus?  It takes only 10 minutes prep!

Anzac biscuits
Makes 30

Ingredients

• 115 g (3/4 cup) plain flour
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats 
• 3/4 cup caster sugar
• 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
• 2 tablespoon boiling water
• 1 tablespoon golden syrup
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 125 g butter, cubed, melted

Method 

1. Preheat oven to 160°C. Line 2 large baking trays with non-stick baking paper. 
2. Sift the flour and ginger into a large bowl. Add the rolled oats, sugar and coconut, and stir to combine.
3. Combine the boiling water, golden syrup and bicarbonate of soda in a small jug. Once the mixture froths up, stir in the butter. Set aside for a few minutes to cool slightly. Add the cooled butter mixture to the flour mixture and use a wooden spoon to combine.
4. Scoop 2 heaped teaspoons of mixture and place onto lined trays and flatten slightly. Repeat with the remaining mixture, leaving about 3cm between each (they don't spread much). Bake in preheated oven for 13 minutes for chewy biscuits or 16 minutes for crunchy biscuits, swapping trays around halfway through cooking. Set aside for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool.