Anzac biscuits
A DigitalNZ Story by Zokoroa
The beginnings of Anzac biscuits as fund-raisers and comfort food during World War I
Anzac biscuits, Anzac, Biscuits, Recipes, World War One, WWI, War
Biscuit Tin, commemorative
Thames Museum
Anzac biscuits and bookmarks
Christchurch City Libraries
Anzac biscuits at St Albans School
Christchurch City Libraries
Early beginnings and names of the Anzac biscuit
In 1747, "The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy" book by Englishwoman Hannah Glasse, has a version of the Anzac biscuit
The secret history of the Anzac biscuit
Radio New Zealand
Scottish immigrants in NZ & Australia made biscuits with rolled oats which were known as 'nutties' or 'munchies'
Rolled Oats Bag, Oatina
Nelson Provincial Museum
During WWI, a British-made army issue ration biscuit "Huntley & Palmers' Army No 4" was made which was rock-hard
Army issue ration biscuit
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Women in NZ & Australia baked biscuits to sell at church fêtes, galas & bazaars to raise funds for the WWI war effort
Groups, patriotic bazaar, and horse with a cart, Cathedral Square, Christchurch
Alexander Turnbull Library
Home-baked biscuits were also amongst the comfort items sent in parcels to troops & nurses overseas
Sending comfort items to the New Zealand troops in Gallipoli
Wairarapa Archive
Parcels of 'dainties' that included 'sweet biscuits' and cakes were well-received by troops at Anzac (1915)
SCENES AT ANZAC. (Ashburton Guardian, 08 October 1915)
National Library of New Zealand
The 'butter sweet biscuit' as well as cakes were a welcomed part of the diet by soldiers at Gallipoli (1915)
GALLIPOLI CAMP INCIDENTS (Grey River Argus, 28 September 1915)
National Library of New Zealand
Donations to the Rangiwaihia Branch of the Red Cross included tins of biscuits to be fowarded to Wellington (1917)
RED CROSS. (Feilding Star, 26 November 1917)
National Library of New Zealand
Women's branch of the Marlborough Patriotic Society listed "biscuits" amongst goods sent overseas during 1917-1918
WOMEN OF MARLBOROUGH. (Marlborough Express, 13 June 1918)
National Library of New Zealand
Soldiers of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade having a meal with tin of biscuits alongside in front trenches, Armentieres
Western Front
National Army Museum
Nurses serving overseas also received parcels of food for themselves & their patients
Inside the nurses' mess hut at the New Zealand Stationary Hospital, Wisques, France
Alexander Turnbull Library
The rolled oat biscuits became known as 'soldiers' biscuits' or 'Red Cross biscuits'
Culinary history: Anzac Biscuits
Radio New Zealand
The term "ANZAC" became associated with the biscuits after the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps was formed in WWI
ANZAC Biscuit Tin
Tairāwhiti Museum Te Whare Taonga o Tairāwhiti
Wartime ingredients
1st published recipe for 'Anzac biscuits' appeared in 8th ed of St Andrew's Cookery Book, 1919 (Image: 1920 advert)
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 02 April 1920)
National Library of New Zealand
Ingredients included flaked oatmeal, flour, sugar, butter, baking soda, golden syrup or treacle, & boiling water
The myths and mythology of the Anzac Biscuit
Radio New Zealand
The biscuits were made without eggs due to shortages in supply. Instead, golden syrup or treacle used as binding agent.
SHORTAGE OF EGGS. (Taranaki Daily News 20-2-1915)
National Library of New Zealand
Biscuits & cakes helped provide a boost of energy due to high carbohydrate ingredients & long 'shelf-life'
ON THE WESTERN FRONT. (Taranaki Daily News 3-5-1917)
National Library of New Zealand
Post-World War I: Recipes & commemorations
In 1921, Edmonds Cookbook included Anzac biscuits with rolled oats & coconut, plus flour, sugar, butter, baking soda etc
Edmonds cookbook
Christchurch City Libraries
Anzac biscuits baked at home were shared as part of Auckland Museum's Kai to Pie exhibition in 2010
Anzac biscuits
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
Anzac biscuits
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
Anzac biscuits
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
One of the 20,000 Anzac biscuits served inside Arras Tunnel in Wellington on 25 April 2015 (photographed by Paul Fisher)
ANZAC-2015-Pukeahu_25Apr15_0186
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
ANZAC-2015-Pukeahu_25Apr15_0169
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
IMGP1438
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Shirley Library commemorated Armistice Day with Anzac biscuits & bookmarks on 11 Nov 2015
Armistice Day display with free biscuits
Christchurch City Libraries
Shirley Library's freshly baked Anzac biscuits were given away
Armistice Day Anzac biscuits
Christchurch City Libraries
Shirley Library's bookmarks listed the ingredients used & the history of the Anzac biscuit
Anzac biscuit bookmark
Christchurch City Libraries
Anzac biscuits have continued to be baked at home with recipes accessible online, including on the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association (RNZRSA / RSA) webpage: Anzac biscuits. In addition, firms are producing Anzac biscuits commercially, including the Australasian AFM Group who have made donations to the RSA from sales of packets and tins. See: RSA: AFM Group donates over $50,000 (21 August 2024).
Nowadays, Anzac biscuits are made both commercially as well as at home to commemorate Anzac Day
Anzac
Alexander Turnbull Library
Find out more:
Te Ara: Anzac biscuits and pavlova
Anzac biscuits and pavlova
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
This DigitalNZ story was compiled in April 2025