These unique cookie bars are inspired by Australia’s national biscuit, the ANZAC. Made in World War I to give the troops a taste of home cooking, they’re packed with nutritious whole grains. Whole grains are a great source of vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytochemical which can help to protect against many cancers. This recipe has a good amount of soluble fiber which has been linked to lowering blood cholesterol. A hint of coconut and honey adds an exotic sweetness that will make you feel like you’re on vacation down under.
Ingredients
- 1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
- 1 cup reduced-fat, unsweetened shredded dried coconut
- 1/2 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
- 1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 cup buttery spread
- 2 Tbsp. honey
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 2 Tbsp. boiling water
- Canola oil cooking spray
Makes 20 servings. Per serving: 130 calories, 6 g total fat (3 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 17 g carbohydrates, 1 g protein, 0 g dietary fiber, 140 mg sodium, 10 g sugar, 9 g added sugar.
- 1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
- 1 cup reduced-fat, unsweetened shredded dried coconut
- 1/2 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
- 1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 cup buttery spread
- 2 Tbsp. honey
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 2 Tbsp. boiling water
- Canola oil cooking spray
Makes 20 servings. Per serving: 130 calories, 6 g total fat (3 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 17 g carbohydrates, 1 g protein, 0 g dietary fiber, 140 mg sodium, 10 g sugar, 9 g added sugar.
Directions
- In mixing bowl, use whisk to combine oats, coconut, flours, sugars and salt.
- In small pot over medium heat, heat buttery spread until melted. Mix in honey. Remove pot from heat.
- In small bowl, combine baking soda with boiling water. When mixture is foamy, add to melted spread mixture. Pour warm mixture into dry ingredients and mix, first using flexible spatula, then your hands, working with your fingers until mixture is evenly moistened. It will be sandy and crumble when squeezed in your fist.
- Cover bowl with plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature for 2-24 hours, until handful squeezed tightly sticks together.
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Coat 11-inch x 7-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Pour bar mixture into prepared pan and press firmly into even layer.
- Bake 10 minutes. Remove pan and using sharp, thin knife make 4 cuts spaced evenly across wider width of pan. Rotate pan 90 degrees and make 3 cuts across smaller width of pan, creating 20 bars. Return pan to oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, until cookies are deep golden brown. They will be slightly puffy and yield a little when with pressed with a finger.
- Set pan on wire baking rack and run knife through cuts. Cool completely. Run knife through cuts again to make sure cookies are completely separated and lift from pan. ANZAC Cookies will keep in airtight container for 1 week