We are interrupting our normally scheduled programming to bring you .... cookies.
I know, I know, they don't exactly go with the appetizers I posted last week - but no worries, I have some wonderful dishes to go with those appetizers coming up - so stay tuned!
So, why am I posting about cookies? Well, beyond the fact that no one needs an excuse to talk about cookies I do have a better reason - the 2nd Annual Food Blogger's Bake Sale!!! On Saturday, MAY 14th, food bloggers FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY are hosting bake sales - bringing out their most delicious and creative treats to raise money for Share our Strength, an organization dedicated to eradicating childhood hunger in the United States. Between the economy and the recent storms in the south, the need has never been greater - and neither has the compassion of Americans ready to lend a hand ... and if that hand happens to be grasping a home baked treat - all the better!!!
So, what can you do? The answer of course is LOTS!! Click on the links above to learn more about a bake sale in your area and for a few dollars you can not only help out America's children but also sample some of the best darn baked goods on the planet!! Now really, does it get ANY BETTER than that???
Now, if you can't get to a bake sale not to worry!! You can still support the Bake Sale by making a donation!! Big, small, it doesn't matter - every little bit helps! Which of course, brings me back to .... the cookies, or Anzac biscuits to be exact.
I chose these cookies for a couple of reasons. One, because I have made 5 6 batches of these.. and haven't gotten a photo yet - they went that quickly. Considering that my family doesn't like coconut this was amazing, so I figured these cookies had to be good. The second reason has to do with the cookies themselves. These biscuits (or cookies as we call them!) were developed in Australia during the First World War. The wives, mothers, sisters and daughters of Australia's fighting men developed these cookies to send to them - a way to express their love and concern in one of the most basic of ways - by providing food. So, on May 14th, bloggers from all over the country will be doing the same thing - helping to feed America's neediest children via our bake sale proceeds... and I'll be there selling these Anzac "Biscuits."
Oh, and if you don't care for coconut either, I'll also be selling a Tequila Spiked Caramel Corn......
Now, if you aren't in the LA area, I have started a list of other bake sales and will be updating it as they become available!!
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Anzac Biscuits - I added crushed candy bars to these but they would also be good just as they are or with raisins, chopped dates and/or nuts! If you can find Lyle's Golden Syrup (generally available at stores like Gelson's, etc.) I really recommend it. Lyle's is basically a cane syrup and imparts lovely caramel flavors! if you can't find it, not to worry, honey works very well too!!
(makes about 2 ½ dozen cookies)
- 1 cup flour
- ½ tsp. baking soda
- 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- ½ cup shredded coconut
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 3 Tbsp. hot water
- 2 Tbsp. Lyle's Golden Syrup or honey
- ½ cup crushed Heath or Skor candy bars (optional)
Directions:
- Pre heat oven to 325 degrees.
- Place butter in a small saucepan and melt over medium low heat.
- In a large bowl (or the bowl of a mixer) combine the flour, baking soda, oats, brown sugar and coconut. Mix to combine.
- Add the water, golden syrup and butter. Stir or mix until the mixture is thoroughly combined and has a paste - like texture. Stir in the crushed candy if using.
- Drop by teaspoonfuls onto parchment lined sheet pans.
- Bake for 12 - 14 minutes or until cookies are golden brown at the edges. R
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- emove pans from the oven and cool.
- Store in an airtight container.
Nelly Rodriguez says
Love these cookies. Actually made them twice last month! Love the coconut in it and I actually browned the butter so add a little more depth of flavor 🙂 Happy Monday!
Nancy says
Happy Monday to you too Nelly!! Thank you for coming by the Table!! Oooh.... browned butter... definitely going to have to try that variation!!!
Mardi@eatlivetravelwrite says
Ah I am an AMZAC biscuit purist (of course!) but I like the idea of the addition of Skor bars 🙂 Good luck with the bake sale!
Nancy says
Hi Mardi!!
I noticed you spelled it AMZAC but I haven't found anything with that spelling - was this something "lost" in translation???
As for being a purist, I know what you mean, sometimes I just can't let well enough alone!!!
Culinary School: Three Semesters of Life, Learning, and Loss of Blood says
Fantastic looking cookies. And, in my book, the Heath bars are never, never optional!
Deliciously Organic says
THese look fantastic! See you Saturday!
Nancy says
Really looking forward to seeing you again!!!
Kristen says
I hope you all have a most wonderful turnout!
Nancy says
Thanks Kristen!! It's a great location and the weather should be great!!
Lori says
In a word: YUM! These look incredibly good, and I've been intrigued with the Tequila-Spiked Caramel Corn since you first mentioned it! I won't be in the area for the bake sale, but with goodies like yours you're bound to do well!
Nancy says
I hope so!! It will be fun regardless and I hope we raise a lot of money!!
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) says
im doing the san diego bake sale and my post about it is here
http://www.loveveggiesandyoga.com/2011/05/inspiration-greener-grass.html
love what you ladies up in LA are doing!
Nancy says
Good luck with your bake sale Averie - will update the post with your link!
marla says
Hi Nancy! Looking forward to seeing you this Saturday at the bake sale. These cookies look awesome!
Nancy says
Can't wait to see you either Marla! When I have time I am going to experiment some more with these cookies - have some fun ideas to try with them!
Barbara | VinoLuciStyle says
Love the story and the biscuits and the addition of the Skor; hope you have a wonderful sale. I tried to pull one off; amazing how hard it is to find a location; by the time I did was too late for spring, so we're doing a fall sale. Such a great cause and...Tequila Spiked Caramel Corn? OH MY.
Nancy says
Glad you liked the story!! I think the sale is going to be fun - the weather should be good which helps!!! I think the location is probably the hardest part but Fall will be a great time since baked goods just seem to go with cooler weather!! The caramel corn is addictive - it's very light and the tequila really amplifies the flavors!!
moowiesqrd says
Hey, Nancy! Thanks for the shout-out to the San Diego sale! Very excited to do this, but I'm sad we won't be at the same sale. Hopefully, I'll see you soon!
Kim says
Hooray for bake sale!!!! Your "biscuits" look awesome.
I will be making a monetary donation. AND - hosting my own SOS bake sale at The Office in November. They're putting me in charge this year... EEK!!! So I'll have to touch base with you to see what bakes/sells REALLY WELL.
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Magic of Spice says
What a fantastic and fun project...the cookies look fantastic, will check it out 🙂
Kristina Vanni says
I love Anzac biscuits! I bought some in Australia and fell in love. I have always wanted to make some at home, now I can try using your recipe!