Australian Federation Biscuits

This year is the Centenary of Federation of Australia, and this recipe was provided by the great-granddaughter of Henry and Isabella Parkes (your equivalent of a first lady). In Australia, we call them biscuits, rather than cookies, but they are well worth trying.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Calories: 93 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ⅔ cup butter, softened
• 1 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup hot water
• 1 ½ cups golden raisins
• 1 ½ cups chopped pitted dates

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). In a small bowl, dissolve baking soda in hot water. Stir in the dates and raisins; set aside.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the date and raisin mixture. Combine the flour and cinnamon; mix into the batter until just blended. Finally stir in the walnuts. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheet. Cookies should be at least 1 inch apart.

Step 3

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until lightly browned. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.