Our top 5 recipes to use up leftover Anzac biscuits
From tarts to cheesecakes, who would've thought the classic Anzac biscuit could be so versatile?
Got leftover Anzac biscuits in your pantry? It’s totally possible to transform these iconic Aussie classics into truly decadent desserts. All you need is a few extra ingredients and a little bit of creativity.
Top 5 ways to turn Anzac biscuits into an easy dessert
1. Condensed milk Anzac slab
Using Anzac biscuits as a base means this moreish slice only takes 10 minutes to prep. The Caramilk, condensed milk and classic biscuit combo gives a rich caramel flavour that’s perfect with a cuppa. It’s chewy, it’s sweet – but most importantly, it’s super-easy to make.
This slab has gone viral on our social channels multiple times, showing that Aussies love it just as much as we do.
2. Golden syrup Anzac ripple cakes
With only four ingredients, and no baking necessary- it’s the perfect make ahead dessert. Here, our foodies use exactly the same technique they use to make a classic choc ripple cake (one of our all-time most popular Christmas desserts), but instead of using a choc ripple biscuit, they use a classic ANZAC.
A mixture of thickened cream and mascarpone gives it tiramisu and cheesecakey vibes, while the golden syrup of course goes hand in hand with the ANZAC biscuit.
After layering the cream with the biscuits, it’s left in the fridge for 6 hours (or overnight) and it becomes a soft, sweet dessert cake. We’ve made them individual so everyone gets one to themselves.
3. Lemon & honey Anzac tart
The buttery Anzac biscuit base is paired perfectly with the creamy lemon and honey filling in this simple dessert.
Members of the taste team love taking this one to gatherings as it can be made ahead and left in the fridge. Drizzle with thickened cream to really make an impact.
4. ‘Not so fried’ ice cream
If you’ve never tried deep-fried ice-cream because you hate cooking food in heaps of oil, we’ve got the dessert for you. Here, we’ve taken scoops of vanilla ice-cream and rolled them in a mixture of crushed ANZAC biscuits and shredded coconut.
Although we don’t cook these, we still get the crunchy shell from the ANZAC biscuits and the warm 2-ingredient caramel sauce we drizzle over them gives you the same melty ice-cream that you would get if you fried them.
5. Rhubarb and ginger crumble
Take your crumble to another level by using Anzac biscuits as the topping. The chewy biscuits are the sweet secret to this tangy crumble. The addition of finely chopped glace ginger gives it a depth of flavour that you’ve probably never had in a crumble before.
If you can’t find rhubarb (or don’t enjoy the flavour of this fruit), this topping works just as well with a classic apple crumble.
Serve with vanilla ice-cream, of course.
Are Anzac biscuits meant to be chewy or crunchy?
Depending on your preference, Anzac biscuits can be made crunchy, chewy or soft. According to taste.com.au Food Editor Miranda Payne, the traditional Anzac biscuit was the harder, crunchy version. Over time, the original recipe has been tweaked- reduce the cooking time (to make them chewier) or add more sugar (so they’re super crispy).
How long do Anzac biscuits last?
Made with long lasting ingredients such as oats, coconut and golden syrup (instead of eggs), these biscuits don’t spoil easily- salvage those biscuits hiding in the back of the pantry. Homemade Anzac biscuits can last in an airtight container for up to two weeks or in the freezer for up to three months.
Anzac biscuits history
The story behind the biscuits is rooted in care, Anzac biscuits were shipped to Aussie soldiers to provide them with comfort and nourishment during World War I. The recipe was developed by mothers, wives and girlfriends of Australian troops to ensure they were getting enough nutrients. Anzac biscuits are now made to commemorate ANZAC Day.
Make them gluten free
All the recipes can be made gluten free! Just buy (or make your own) gluten free Anzac biscuits and substitute regular flour for a gluten free alternative. Try our Gluten-free Anzac biscuit recipe.
More of our fave Anzac biscuit creations:
Choc caramel Anzac biscuit slice
Magic no-bake Anzac cake
5-minute passionfruit cream dessert
Caramilk Anzac cheesecake
Originally published as Our top 5 recipes to use up leftover Anzac biscuits
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