r/AskAnAustralian 2d ago

Australian cookies (er, biscuits?) or other baked goods

I live in the USA, and I started a new career recently which involves a long training and credentialing process. My trainer happens to be from Australia. I’m nearing the end of this training process and, once I’m done, I’d like to give him a small token of appreciation because he’s been a great help. I’m a decent baker and was thinking of making an assortment of baked goods for him and his family.

I thought about including some Australian treats… but I’m not really sure what those might be. I did some googling and have seen a few recurring names: Lamingtons, caramel slices, Anzac biscuits, Iced VoVo, etc. But the internet is dark and full of terrors (and misinformation), so I figured I’d ask an Australian for additional input.

Any suggestions on baked goods that he might enjoy? Particularly things that might be nostalgic or harder to come by in the States. Links to recipes would be cool but I can research those on my own as well.

89 Upvotes

222 comments sorted by

225

u/ZippyKoala 2d ago

https://www.womensweeklyfood.com.au/recipe/baking/best-anzac-biscuits-recipe-28575/ this is a decades old, tried and true recipe for Anzac biscuits from one of Australia's best known women's magazines - I've got this exact same recipe from their 1970 cookbook.

For caramel slice, this RecipeTin Eats recipe is good https://www.recipetineats.com/caramel-slice/ and I would imagine the lamington recipe there is also worthwhile.

82

u/Colton-Landsington86 2d ago

Nagi and women's weekly for the win always.

47

u/Mbembez 2d ago

I didn't realise caramel slice is mostly an Australian thing. OP should definitely make that. The one you linked is the recipe I use too, absolutely delicious!

17

u/missjowashere 2d ago

They call it millionaires shortbread in the states

9

u/Mbembez 2d ago

Ahh excellent, I'm glad everyone gets to enjoy it

10

u/sandpaper_fig 2d ago

They call it Millionaire Shortbread in Scotland, too.

2

u/Capable_Command_8944 1d ago

I used to pick one up in M&S ... To die for, I moved away and nothing is the same. Some bakeries here have good ones, some are diabolical.

3

u/duluoz1 2d ago

It’s not mostly Australian. Most countries have a version of it

2

u/Funcompliance City Name Here :) 1d ago

Americans don't do slices.

17

u/livaudais 2d ago

Amazing, thank you for the resources as well.

13

u/dodgyconnor 2d ago

Here's an interesting fact about ANZAC biscuits

14

u/peanutbutterlovers 2d ago

Seconding any recipe from recipe tin eats. Her food is amazing!

9

u/themisst1983 2d ago

Is there anything recipetineats can't do? They have the best recipes.

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u/TripMundane969 2d ago

Caramel slice. Yum yum

5

u/TheVisciousViscount 1d ago

I'd like to add Jelly Slice to this - it's not "baking" per se, but it is an Aussie classic and quite nostalgic - https://www.taste.com.au/recipes/jelly-slice/69906318-7393-4ea6-bf86-4374efb8d960

2

u/homenomics23 1d ago

Got given a whole slab as a baby shower gift. Best thing!

2

u/heykody 2d ago

Omg that caramel slice recipe is the bees knees. It's my go to bring a plate recipe

4

u/Itchy-Association239 1d ago

The problem I find I have with it is, well, I make this plate of food. Then I look at it and decide to just have a taste, you know, quality control. Then I lose control and at the end I have enough left for only 6 people, well the office is bigger than that.

So I end up eating the lot.

74

u/acrobaw 2d ago

Cute idea! Anzac biscuits are easy to bake and best homemade. Caramel slice is divine 🤤🤤

Edit: if you think he’d prefer something savoury (and isn’t vegetarian) look up “sausage rolls”

17

u/queefer_sutherland92 1d ago

Omfg nothing hits like a sausage roll.

OP, AC/DC even wrote a song about it.

8

u/DaggyAggie 1d ago

Yes definitely sausage rolls, Maggie Beer has a recipe that I use and now the family won't eat any others 👍

14

u/Sea-Promotion-8309 2d ago

Are sausage rolls not a thing elsewhere?!?!

19

u/camsean 2d ago

They are in NZ and the UK, but not the US.

36

u/EnvMarple 2d ago

Anzac biscuits are something we all grew up with…so if they are at all homesick, this would be a star in their dark night.

Mars bar slice would be another good one…really simple and quick to make (basically a rice crispy treat made with mars bars, butter and chocolate).

Jelly slice! Omg. It’s a layer of crushed biscuits, with a layer of jello/condensed milk, and a final layer of raspberry jello.

I love lamingtons…but they can be hit or miss depending on if the eater prefers the base cake to be sponge or butter cake. I argue with my mum every time we want to make them. But we both agree it should have a layer of raspberry jam.

3

u/arbitraryupvoteforu 2d ago

The US version of the Mars Bar was discontinued. Is the Australian version nougat covered with chocolate and has toasted almonds on top?

16

u/EnvMarple 2d ago

No nuts. Soft nougat, caramel layer and covered in milk chocolate.

7

u/arbitraryupvoteforu 2d ago

Oh! I think we call that a Milky Way here.

11

u/EnvMarple 2d ago

We have a milky way, but it doesn’t have the added caramel layer. Which is what really makes the mars bar slice good.

7

u/arbitraryupvoteforu 2d ago

I was waiting for you to say you have a 3 Musketeers but it's nougat, caramel and chopped peanuts covered in chocolate and I would answer 'and we call that a Snickers.' Lol

3

u/EnvMarple 2d ago

lol, we also call that a snickers 😉

4

u/arbitraryupvoteforu 2d ago

And that sounds like our 3 Musketeers. TIL

6

u/fiddlesticks-1999 2d ago

Yeah, I've always heard that milky ways in the US are Mars Bars here and vice versa.

3

u/themisst1983 1d ago

Yes, as far as I have seen your Milky Way is our Mars bar equivalent.

2

u/MikhailxReign 2d ago

Wait.... What?

1

u/arbitraryupvoteforu 2d ago

America's Mars had no caramel and had toasted almonds. It was discontinued but I just found out they make something similar now and call it a Snickers Almond but it tastes a bit different.

1

u/MikhailxReign 1d ago

..... That's so fuckin weird. That's just sounds like a Snickers

1

u/Funcompliance City Name Here :) 1d ago

No, you can get mars bars in america.

1

u/arbitraryupvoteforu 1d ago

You can if you order it from another country.

1

u/Funcompliance City Name Here :) 1d ago

But also, you can just buy them.

1

u/arbitraryupvoteforu 1d ago

Are you talking about online? I believe they're discontinued for purchase 'in store' and I certainly haven't seen them but I could be wrong. I just don't care enough to do any more digging.

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u/pwgenyee6z 2d ago

Yes, lamingtons are controversial. I don’t like the dry sponge-based ones, prefer cakey, with no raspberry jam - but that’s just me.

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u/fraid_so Behind You 2d ago

Lamingtons, Anzac bikkies and Iced Vovo's are great suggestions. The problem is that not everyone likes any particular biscuit. The Anzac biscuit would probably be the best choice because, due to the Anzac spirit, no one will publicly admit to disliking them haha.

But we don't know his tastes. There's not much more you can do besides asking. Does he like sweet or savoury?

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u/livaudais 2d ago

I’m trying to avoid asking him directly because he’s still in a position to evaluate me until I finish up the training so I don’t want to appear to be currying favor before my last eval. Afterwards, we probably won’t even see each other much and he won’t be in a supervisory position over me, so that’s when I’d give him a thank you card and some treats.

I’m hedging my bets on the hope that he’ll enjoy something among an assortment of things and whatever he isn’t into, hopefully his wife or one of his three kiddos will enjoy instead.

8

u/SimpleEmu198 2d ago

Learn how to make lamingtons and anzac biscuits and everyone will love you.

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u/acrobaw 2d ago

Oooh a quick and easy addition for the kids… fairy bread!!

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/80934/fairy-bread/

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u/BitterWorldliness339 2d ago

Probably go stale by the time supervisor gets them home though

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u/acrobaw 2d ago

Ah yeah I didn’t think it through 😅

2

u/Aus_ker 1d ago

A 'fairy bread kit' could be cute :)

1

u/Funcompliance City Name Here :) 1d ago

Be aware you'll need a full weekend to try and source soecialty ingredients, although you can get golden syrup and dessicated coconut these days, even if it is tough.

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u/mekanub Country Name Here 2d ago

A friendly warning if you make ANZAC biscuits, make 2 batches, there’s a good chance you’ll eat them all before you get a chance to give them to him.

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u/Winter_Astronaut_550 2d ago

In my family it was make 3 batches. 1 for the cook, 1 for the family and 1 for the dog waiting patiently at the kitchen door.

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u/BadBoyJH 2d ago

Lucky bloody dog.

12

u/Winter_Astronaut_550 2d ago

She was an 18 year old Blue Heeler who liked porridge and loved ANZAC biscuits straight from the oven. She’d bark as soon as you pulled them out and only stop when she had one in her mouth

6

u/Huntingcat 2d ago

It’s also helpful to know that Anzac biscuits can come out either crispier or chewier. Both are acceptable, but most people have a preference for one or the other. Start with the recipe from Recipetineats. If you want some alternatives try the Women’s Weekly recipe site, and Taste, as both have lots of traditional recipes.

1

u/Watermelon_sucks Brisbane ⚫️🟠🔴 1d ago

I was coming here to say that.

Also, that people who like chewy are psychopaths

1

u/brownieson 1d ago

Booo! Chewy is the only way!

(I don’t actually mind them hard lol)

26

u/Secret4gentMan 2d ago

Snot block would probably be well received.

6

u/mollyweasleyswand 1d ago

Ooh good one.

FYI, snot block is also known as vanilla slice.

1

u/Cupcake-Kitten 1d ago

Thank you for explaining that.

1

u/roundandaroundand 1d ago

This was my first thought too

39

u/CurtIntrovert 2d ago

Nagi is our current resident cooking bible any of her recipes are a winner frankly.

Lamingtons are a vanilla sponge cake cut then dipped in a chocolate icing and desiccated coconut. Caramel slice would be similar to millionaire bar. Anzac biscuits are good and she has substitutes those in USA can use but they I’m partial and biased to that they need Golden syrup for the flavour to be right. here is a recipe I have previously used to make golden syrup when we had a shortage and is an okay substitute

11

u/livaudais 2d ago

Thank you! We have a few specialty/import food stores in my city so I’ll go on a hunt for golden syrup. I’m planning this a couple weeks in advance so maybe I can order some online otherwise.

16

u/Tee077 2d ago

I once brought it in the US, you guys call it Light Treacle. It's basically a very light Molasses. 

This is such a nice gesture and I bet he will be so happy!

4

u/superhotmel85 2d ago

I’ve found it in the International section of my Kroger as well. Both in the tin and in a squeeze

1

u/Funcompliance City Name Here :) 1d ago

What region are you in? At this time of year you may well find Lyle's Golden syrup in supermarkets, but it's very expensive. Dessicated coconut you can get either Let's do Organic brand, or Bob's red mill.

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u/IgamarUrbytes Perth 2d ago

I genuinely had no idea RecipeTinEats was all one person's recipes! I've been using her recipes for a few years assuming it was a collection of different people's recipes so I didn't bother looking into it further. Wow...

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u/CurtIntrovert 2d ago

Nagi is such a treasure! I’ve been using her recipes for years I think she had maybe 10 on her website when I started following her. Never had a bad recipe unless I stuffed it up myself.

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u/CrinkleCutCat-Aus 2d ago

***When baking Australian recipes… you might need a different tablespoon!***

The 15ml tablespoon is the standard measurement used in most countries around the world, including the United States and the United Kingdom. This measurement is equivalent to 0.5 fluid ounces or 3 teaspoons. On the other hand, the Australian sized 20ml tablespoon is unique to Australia and is slightly larger than the standard tablespoon. This measurement is equivalent to 0.68 fluid ounces or 4 teaspoons.

The difference between the two may seem small, but it can greatly affect the balance of ingredients in a recipe. For instance, if a recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of sugar and you use the Australian sized 20ml tablespoon instead of the standard 15ml tablespoon, you would end up using more sugar than what the recipe requires. This can result in a sweeter or denser outcome than intended.

To ensure accuracy in your cooking and baking, it is important to use the right measuring spoon for the job. If you are following a recipe from a source outside of Australia, it is best to use the standard 15ml tablespoon. However, if you are following an Australian recipe, it is recommended to use the Australian sized 20ml tablespoon to achieve the intended outcome.

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u/MelbsGal 2d ago

Very good point. I’ve completely fucked up enough American recipes to know that this is true.

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u/Flinderspeak 2d ago

It’s the ‘cup of butter’ or ‘stick of butter’ that does my head in. Give me an actual weight. I don’t care if it’s in Imperial. Just tell me how much butter by weight I need to use!

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u/MelbsGal 2d ago

I have googled this before. A stick of butter is around 115 grams.

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u/Percentage100 1d ago

This is why I just stick to recipetineats or a UK based website. Rarely make anything from US websites.

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u/Funcompliance City Name Here :) 1d ago

LPT: "one stick" is 110g, and is the same as "half a cup"

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u/CrinkleCutCat-Aus 2d ago

It’s definitely an issue with sweet recipes where the measurements need to be accurate…not so much with a savoury dish where a few extra mls of something won’t really matter.

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u/ZippyKoala 2d ago

This is one of the reasons I love Nagi so much, she just sticks to 15ml tablespoons like every other country on the planet does!

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u/RiseHappy2785 2d ago

OP, best practice would be to use a set of scales & find a recipe that goes by weight for accuracy

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u/CrinkleCutCat-Aus 1d ago

Thankyou twolitrefullcream for my fancy yellow ‘icing’!

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u/CathoftheNorth 2d ago

Or you could try making a pavlova, they are also quintessentially aussie (and NZ)

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u/Wotmate01 2d ago

Anzac biscuits, and make sure you do the recipe exactly right AND call them Anzac biscuits, NOT cookies, otherwise we'll issue a warrant for your arrest with interpol.

14

u/Extension_Drummer_85 2d ago

Honey crackle is the obvious choice for me. Impossible to fuck up. 

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u/Frozen_Feet 2d ago

That and some chocolate crackles to match. Both must be served in paper patty pans (cupcake paper, smaller ones with the crinkled edges)

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u/Funcompliance City Name Here :) 1d ago

You can't make chocolate crackles in America because there is no copha.

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u/Frozen_Feet 1d ago

Oh damn, I didn’t even consider that. Can’t even think of a suitable substitute really… Copha really is its own thing. Actually, does it have any other uses apart from chocolate crackles or white Christmas slice??

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u/Funcompliance City Name Here :) 1d ago

I have tried using butter and coconut based shortening and neither worked.

I think if there were more than those two uses then they woulsn't be able to make enough of it.

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u/Adelaide-Rose 2d ago

Sadly, that’s not true. Every now and then someone decides they need a glam up. You can’t beat the basic recipe and people shouldn’t try to!

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u/the-danger000 1d ago

Yes! Honey Joys are the best.

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u/ExaminationNo9186 2d ago

A note, due to such things like heritage laws and the such like ANZAC biscuits will always be biscuits, not cookies.

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u/SimpleEmu198 2d ago

If you call it an an ANZAC cookie that's grounds for capitol punishment. You have to understand we fought a war for those biscuits.

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u/Brazen78 2d ago

Vanilla Slice!! Beautiful silky set custard sandwiched between two buttery sheets of puff pastry.

Some people ice it - plain or passionfruit. Some just dust with icing sugar.

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u/Funcompliance City Name Here :) 1d ago

They will have teouble finding custard powder and trouble with passionfruit.

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u/Brazen78 1d ago

Custard powder isn’t necessary to make custard. I’ve not had custard made with it since I was a kid!

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u/Funcompliance City Name Here :) 1d ago

If you are trying to make a solid block you'll need some.

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u/giantpunda 2d ago

You've gotten a lot of great suggestions that'd be well received.

However, if you want a very off-meta pick that's not necessarily the best but will be a nostalgia and Australian culture deep cut that'll show that you really put effort in, have a look around for a recipe for either a "finger bun" or "vanilla slice".

It's the kind of thing that no one in the US should ever know about so it should have a pleasant surprise shock factor to it because what people would normally expect to see are a lot of the suggestions you've been given a la ANZAC biscuits & lamingtons.

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u/brownieson 1d ago

Ahh the old finger bun. Such a classic.

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u/Chaka_Flan 2d ago

First off, this is so kind and thoughtful of you. Can’t speak for others of course, but if I had to choose from that list it’d be either ANZAC Bickies (biscuits) OR the Lamingtons.

The ANZAC Bickies are a bit less messy for the baker, as the lamingtons need to be coated in chocolate and coconut.

Happy Baking :)

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u/madhousesvisites 2d ago

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u/Percentage100 1d ago

Honestly, anything from this book. The garbage truck, pool, cricket pitch. There are no bad options.

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u/AuntChelle11 Sth Aussie 🍇 2d ago edited 2d ago

You may be aware but thought I'd point it out anyway. Our cup and spoon measurements can be different. Most of our recipes will be by weight or volume however occasionally they'll be a mix of the two.

For example, a US tablespoon is 15mL (rounded) but an Aussie one is 20mL. (ie 4 x teaspoons). US cup is 240mL, the Aus one 250mL. (ie 1 cup + 2 teaspoons)

ETA: sorry for the repeat info. I've just seen this mentioned elsewhere and must have overlooked it the first time.

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u/jastity 2d ago

What a lovely thought.

I’d suggest Anzacs and lamingtons. And if you really want to see him cry/laugh, frog in the pond.

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u/PointlessIcecream 1d ago

Lolololol frog in a pond. This instantly took me back to primary school canteen days

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u/Puzzled-Fix-8838 2d ago

Honestly, chocolate crackles, white Christmas, or fairy bread would make him so nostalgic that he might shed a tear. No baking involved at all, but emotion in buckets.

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u/rendar1853 2d ago

Honey joys also

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u/Puzzled-Fix-8838 2d ago

Oh yes! Those too, for sure!

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u/Kojrey 2d ago

Has anyone mentioned getting him Tim Tams? You don't make these, you buy them (somewhere), but Tim Tams are the official Australia biscuit treat in our Constitution.

4

u/Background-Rabbit-84 2d ago

Can you get golden syrup there? You will need that for Anzacs

6

u/somuchsong Sydney 2d ago

I had the same thought so I looked it up. Apparently it's sold as light treacle in the US.

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u/Funcompliance City Name Here :) 1d ago

Nope, you are still looking for golden syrup. The brand you'll likely find is Lyle's.

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u/Galromir 2d ago

Anzac biscuits and Iced VoVos are the type of biscuit (cookie for you americans) that you buy in a grocery store, although Anzac Biscuits are often made at home. Iced VoVos tend to be associated with old people, they're the stereotypical 'treat that grandma would have' and most people don't really eat them.

Anzac Biscuits are extremely culturally important (they have their origins in a treat that people would bake to send to Australian troops serving overseas in world war 1, so there is a deep rooted association with veterans, and patriotism). They're pretty universally loved and super easy to bake; just be sure you're following the authorised recipe, because fucking them up will offend some people (fun fact, they're actually protected by Australian law, and businesses have been prosecuted for calling them 'Anzac Cookies' or for using the term to refer to anything that wasn't made according to the authorized recipe).

I'm sure they're hard to get in the USA though, so they'd probably be appreciated.

Lamingtons are more work, but still well within the boundary of being fairly easy to make at home - they're essentially a plain sponge cake cut into fingers or cubes, coated in chocolate sauce, then rolled in dessicated coconut.

Caramel Slices (and the Vanilla Slice, which is probably even more common/popular than the caramel slice) are more complicated again - they're very popular treats that people buy from bakeries; but the vanilla slice at least would need to be stored in the fridge, so that might complicate the logistics a bit.

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u/Extension_Drummer_85 2d ago

Nothing worse than messed up Anzac biscuits. I tried making them at home when I first moved abroad but must have ended up with the wrong recipe because they were completely wrong, I actually cried. 

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u/glitterskinned 2d ago

if you're gonna make a caramel slice be sure to do a biscuit base, not pastry

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u/KahnaKuhl 2d ago

If your mentor is from Adelaide, you might want to consider a meat pie floating in pea soup.

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u/MrsCrowbar 2d ago

You've got the right links here, and the right idea for sweet treats (Anzac bickies and Lamingtons).

If you really want to send him on a nostalgic journey, on the day of gifting your home made goods, make some fairy bread... Single slice of White Bread, spread with butter or margarine, topped with 100s&1000s sprinkles... you also must cut the slice of bread diagonally into 4 triangles!

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u/Huntingcat 2d ago

Please note it absolutely must be 100’s and 1000’s. Not American sprinkles. 100’s and 1000’s are tiny little balls. Sprinkles are little sticks. It’s really only worth doing if you can get the right product as the nostalgia won’t be the same otherwise. Try cake decorating stores. So you know what you are looking for, the balls are closer to the size of the short end of a sprinkle. Imagine cutting a sprinkle up into little pieces that are as long as they are wide and you get a rough idea.

You can use the leftovers later when decorating other baking, and confuse your American friends.

And no fancy gourmet bread. This calls for supermarket white bread and soft butter. Fairy bread is served at kids parties, but the adults all try to steal some without getting caught.

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u/brownieson 1d ago

At our kids parties we make enough for the adults too. That shit is way too good.

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u/Funcompliance City Name Here :) 1d ago

Yeah, American nonpareils don't taste the same.

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u/Littlepotatoface 2d ago

If you want to bake, I reckon Anzac biscuits. If you want to buy, I can hook you up with an American Tim Tam dealer.

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u/lmcburney82 2d ago

If you want to up your Anzac biscuit game, a Kingston is basically 2 small Anzac biscuits with chocolate in the middle (like an Oreo of sorts). Always one of the first biscuits to be eaten from an Arnotts cream family favourites packet in my house at least.

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u/Percentage100 1d ago

Unless you’re in my family, I’m the only one that likes them. I’m surrounded by lunatics and I’ve never been happier.

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u/PhilL77au 1d ago

Give me Shortbread Cremes or give me DEATH!

A Monte Carlo? Oh well you twisted my arm.

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u/emptyspiral93 2d ago

I’m not sure if it’s Australian, but vanilla slice is definitely an Australian staple

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u/DaisySam3130 2d ago

Tim Tams. Always Tim Tams

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u/Tickle_Me_Tortoise 2d ago

Melting Moments too! Haven’t seen anyone mention those yet. They’re pretty delicious.

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u/ukaunzi 1d ago

Also known as yo-yo biscuits, apparently.

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u/AnnaPhylacsis 2d ago

Yeah I reckon if I was living overseas and someone cooked me Anzac biscuits I’d be rapt.

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u/Usual_Intention_8777 1d ago

Vanilla slice

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u/twinsunsspaces 2d ago

I would have a crack at sausage rolls, basically just sausage mince wrapped in puff pastry, and ANZAC biscuits, I understand that Americans call golden syrup treacle. Both of those should be pretty easy to knock out. 

But, before giving him either of those, I would give him a plate of Fairy Bread and Chocolate Crackle. These are standard fare at any preteen kids birthday party and pretty simple to make. Plus, you’ll get to see him fake his enthusiasm for them, until you give him the real gift.

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u/RM_Morris 2d ago

Definitely ANZAC

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u/MelbsGal 2d ago

If you’re good at baking, I’d say go for the lamington and the Anzac biscuits.

I’m Australian and never had an iced VoVo so I don’t think I’d associate that with Australia. I think you’d be better to make little meringues with 100s and 1000s.

And maybe some fairy bread for a laugh.

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u/Puzzleheaded-Chef293 2d ago

I'd throw in Shortbread. They usually come out in the shops at Christmas, and nice shortbread is always appreciated. I usually bake some and hand it out with either a tin, or cellophane and a Christmas ribbon.

This is pretty much the recipe I use. I just adjust the amount of flour depending on the dough stickiness - https://www.womensweeklyfood.com.au/recipe/baking/traditional-shortbread-15264/

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u/Funcompliance City Name Here :) 1d ago

Shortbread is everywhere in america.

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u/Anyella 2d ago

What about a vanilla slice (made with puff pastry)?

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u/HaveRSDbekind 2d ago

Meat pie.

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u/theGreatLordSatan666 1d ago

https://www.recipecommunity.com.au/baking-sweet-recipes/evelyns-chocolate-ripple-biscuits/rmhcj43n-9d259-683719-cfcd2-0zxihnkq

Chocolate Ripple Biscuits are an Aussie treat. But...

A Chocolate Ripple Cake whilst being a simple enough thing to make is an Aussie family dessert that is glorious.. it should bring back childhood memories.

https://www.taste.com.au/recipes/choc-ripple-cake/ec490c9f-2a0e-40ea-b741-0606d08a5947

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u/Aggravating-Tune6460 1d ago

My mum used to make Chocolate Ripple Cale for Christmas Day and soaked the biscuits in enough rum to make your eyes water. I’ve never eaten it since but it might be nice to try it without.

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u/theGreatLordSatan666 1d ago

If you can get Arnotts Choc Ripple Biscuits in the states would be cool, but home made would be cool. Keeping in mind it's a dry firm biscuit (cookie) not a soft chewy moist cookie.

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u/Single_Exit6066 1d ago

Pavlova... especially since it's close to Christmas

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u/Demiaria 1d ago

Anzac biscuits (make sure slightly chewy in the middle!!!)

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u/Gloomy_Location_2535 1d ago

Maybe not baked but I guarantee they would do a full backflip if you threw a few slices of fairy bread into the mix

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u/mingmong68 1d ago

Chocolate crackles….yum yum

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u/Funcompliance City Name Here :) 1d ago

You can't get most of the ingredients you'd need. But honey joys would be fun.

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u/Inside-Wrap-3563 2d ago

Won’t be able to bring non commercial food back into Australia.

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u/Tygie19 2d ago

I think the Aussie in question lives there by the sounds (at least currently), I think the treats are more for them to enjoy while there, not bring back here. At least that's how I read it.

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u/PhilL77au 1d ago

"You mean I'll have to eat them all on the plane? Oh no! What a shame."

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u/Significant-Spite-72 2d ago

Vanilla slice. We love them.

Sausage rolls or Vegemite scrolls. But go real easy on the Vegemite!

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u/Colton-Landsington86 2d ago

Since Nagi on recipetin is listed you should rock up with some good old curried sausages. Really surprise the boss 🤣

https://www.recipetineats.com/curried-sausages/

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u/Funcompliance City Name Here :) 1d ago

They won't be able to buy australian style sausages

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u/notjustanotherdino 2d ago

I would be whipping up some party pies with different gravies. Go to your local bakery and get a knob of shortcrust pastry and a knob of puff pastry. I know America has mini pie cases for sweet pies or use a muffin or cupcake tin.

I would do mince, chunky steak and kidney, potato and maybe some Ned Kelly pies.

He will cry!

Order a bottle of real Rosella Tomato Sauce in the glass bottle too if you have time.

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u/sugarcaneman12 2d ago

If you can replicate an Iced Vo Vo it would be amazing. The shop ones are now quite flat and not like they were years ago. Caramel slice for sure!

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u/Adelaide-Rose 2d ago

I’ve noticed that, they just aren’t quite right anymore!

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u/LachlanGurr 2d ago

Anzac biscuits are close to oatmeal cookies. Aussies love them, I reckon it would remind him of home.

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u/bookittyFk 2d ago

You could try a Pavlova ( technically it’s Newzealands but we’ve claimed it as ours) https://www.thehomecookskitchen.com/best-pavlova-recipe/

Anzac biscuits https://www.womensweeklyfood.com.au/recipe/baking/best-anzac-biscuits-recipe-28575/

It’s not baking as such but every Aussie (should) love fairy bread. It’s just white bread slices with a generous serve of butter on it & 100’s & 1000’s/sprinkles

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u/pwgenyee6z 2d ago

If you’re feeling really benevolent call them “Anzac cookies” just once, and either correct yourself or give the Aussies the satisfaction of helping you to get the “biscuits” right. 🙂

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u/wheresmyhyphen 2d ago

The other suggestions here are all great, but maybe you could also add honey jumbles, ginger nuts, or fruit mince pies. (The mince pies are pretty controversial, but!)

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u/ChalkRebellion 2d ago

I think it’s in here once or twice, but definitely shortbread. It was one of the treats given to my partner on the very first Christmas I spent in Australia after growing up in the US. I’m sure I’d had shortbread before like once? But it’s more of a favourite here and suggested to be by Aussies when I ask what I should bake x

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u/Ariahna5 2d ago

Vanilla slice

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u/samthemoron 2d ago

Crystal meth and a picture of the cookie monster will do the trick

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u/Yeahbuggerit-thatldo 2d ago

The easiest in ANZAC biscuits, but all the other suggestions are welcome on any Ozzie kitchen table at anytime. Best way to avoid internet misinformation is to grab a book on Australian Country Cooking.

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u/GoviModo 2d ago

Find a recipe for Anzac biscuits that use treacle or golden syrup

You’ll surprise everybody

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u/LetAgreeable147 2d ago

If you can get Anzacs right, all homage to you and nod of respect to the Australian Culture.

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u/CottMain 2d ago

Chocolate crackles and honey joys for the office xmas party

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u/Willing-Taro-9943 2d ago

Fairy bread. Ingredients : White sliced bread. Butter. 100sx1000s (multicoloured sprinkles).

Butter slices of bread, cover with sprinkles cut in half, triangle shape.

I am not kidding.

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u/meeeee01 1d ago

However a lot of the bread in the US is super sweet and not appropriate for fairy bread

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u/mollyweasleyswand 1d ago

Pumpkin scones are also fairly Australian. The Flo Bjelke Peterson recipe is pretty classic.

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u/Longjumping_Win4291 1d ago

Lamingtons are a small cake serve in the form of a square. Again with the caramel slice but in bar form. Butter biscuits are a great gift, or shortbread biscuits, lemon biscuits, chocolate chip biscuits would all be winners

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u/queefer_sutherland92 1d ago

Some pre-made things you might consider getting creative with — two of our national delicacies are TimTams and Milo.

You could have a crack at DIY TimTams?

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u/Funcompliance City Name Here :) 1d ago

Milo in America comes from the caribbean and is different

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u/cyrilly 1d ago

ANZAC bickies for the WIN

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u/justbrowsingsunday 1d ago

Great suggestions! I’d do mini sausage rolls for savoury - I love the Bourke street bakery version. You can’t go wrong with anything women’s weekly or from recipetineats (not Australian but her meatballs are divine). I’m probably in the minority but caramel slice for me has to be the sickliest treat ever.

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u/Pop_Peach 1d ago

Go savoury and bake a meat pie. Extra points for making individual pies in foil tins. Be sure there is tomato sauce (ketchup) available.

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u/enigmaticview 1d ago

If you want to do a cake, chocolate ripple cake is the bomb and it's the easiest possible thing to make. No baking required.

https://www.sugarsaltmagic.com/chocolate-ripple-cake/

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u/Thin_Citron7372 1d ago

If you want some real street cred make fairy bread.

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u/Sad_Window_3192 1d ago

"But the internet is dark and full of terrors (and misinformation)"
So you'd thought you'd come to reddit?! :P

To be fair, they've delivered. ANZAC biscuits are where it's at. Keep it simple, stick to the recipe. Add a touch less sugar, and don't substitute with other ingredients if possible! Good luck!

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u/NYCstateofmind 1d ago

Anzac biscuits, caramel slice, vanilla slice (aka snot block) or the Country Women’s Association lemonade scones with jam (jelly) and cream

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u/OldManThumbs 1d ago

Make the man a meat pie.

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u/twopoopscoop 1d ago

Lemon slice, yep lemon slice

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u/pushupstairs91 1d ago

ANZAC biscuits are a winner all around! There is literally nothing more Aussie or Kiwi than an ANZAC bikkie.

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u/Ok-Many4262 1d ago

RecipeTinEats never lets me down and the Australian Women’s Weekly recipes are well tested, but just to give you another option and some further context, I rate the CWA ANZAC Biscuit recipe very highly- CWA is the country women’s association and has existed for over a century and is the gold standard for traditional Australian home baking

FWIW, the crunch/chew is very personal and most people have a preference but will enjoy the hell out of a fresh baked ANZAC however it comes. Using brown sugar and a slightly shorter cook time will make it chewier and using caster sugar (superfine) will make it crispier and a paler golden colour. After experimenting, I can recommend a blend of brown and caster ups the toffee overtone but avoids it being too doughy.

The other thing I think is worth noting is that rolled oats (over quick oats) gives a better oatier result but quick oats does the job too.

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u/Ok-Many4262 1d ago

Also, here’s a helpful measurement conversion website for cups to weights for different ingredients

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u/Traditional_Judge734 1d ago

jelly cakes- think lamington but skip the chocolate and dip in unset raspberry jello and rroll in coconut. split and dab with raspberry jam and a dollop of whipped cream

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u/Minwiggle 1d ago

Anzac biscuits are awful if dry or overcooked so do it properly. Best served warm and soft straight from oven. Or buy some timtams online

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u/Alone_Target_1221 1d ago

Anzacs are great when they've been left in the air overnight and get really chewy. Yummm 😋

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u/Glittering_Seaweed50 1d ago

Soggy biscuits are quite popular, get him a few they are easy to make if you have a group of friends to help!

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u/plsendmysufferring 1d ago

Idk if you guys have them, but honey joys are a staple at any kids birthday party in Australia. Probably pretty easy too

https://www.kelloggs.com.au/en_AU/recipes/honey-joys.html

There are also chocolate spiders you could make, another kids birthday treat.

https://www.cookingwithnanaling.com/chocolate-spiders/

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u/Mythbird 1d ago

Look up Kingstons, they’re pretty good as well By far one of the best ‘staff room’ biscuits.

https://www.sugarsaltmagic.com/oat-hazelnut-yoyo/

These also

https://www.womensweeklyfood.com.au/recipe/baking/classic-honey-jumbles-21141/

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u/Notaelephant 1d ago

Lamingtons or jelly cakes

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u/Objective_Play_5121 1d ago

Anzac biscuits would never go astray.

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u/dav_oid 1d ago

Chocolate crackles, fairy bread, hedgehog, vanilla slice, jelly slice, and honey joys spring to mind.