Biscuits for the boys

I made ANZAC biscuits for the first time this past week. They were some of the best cookies I've ever made. The origins of these cookies are a subject of debate but the version that I like best is that the mothers, wives and girlfriends made them for Australian soldiers during the first world war. I think there's something very retro-romantic about a whole bunch of Australian women baking up piles of biscuits for their boys overseas.

There are a ton of different recipes out there. You can find the recipe I followed at this site. (FYI: I used only 1/2 cup of brown sugar and it didn't seem to affect the recipe, and in a separate attempt I tried using less butter, but this version came out a little dry and crumbly.)

Below is a pic of the first batch I made. You'll notice some of them have chocolate on top...that was Gus' brainchild. We called those CANZAC biscuits to reflect the Canadian influence. Shhhh, don't tell any aussies, 'cause they take their ANZAC biscuits seriously (see 'legal issues' in this wikipedia entry). And don't call them cookies either, as this is also a cause for grief (I've been corrected more than once!).