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    Home » Recipes » Bars and Slices

    Anzac Biscuit Brownie Bars

    By Erin Clarkson on Apr 23, 2023 (updated Mar 17, 2026)
    4.8 from 18 reviews
    29 community comments
    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    These Anzac Brownie Bars are a combination of chewy Anzac biscuit, and fudgy chocolate brownie. They are super easy to make, and a fun twist on a classic.

    stacked up Anzac biscuit brownie bars

    Hi hi! Just popping in to share this recipe for Anzac Biscuit brownie bars! This recipe is a mash up of my Anzac biscuit recipe, which is super popular on my baking blog, topped with a layer of my super fudgy homemade brownie.

    This recipe came about when I was trying to make a 'brittle' version of my Anzac biscuit recipe, but couldn't get them to where I wanted. I baked them into a pan, and the recipe was *fine*, but just needed something.

    So, to combat this, I popped a thin layer of my brownie batter on the top, and this turned out to be a very, very good decision. The chewy Anzac biscuit base is the perfect textural contrast to the fudgy brownie top.

    If you would like another great classic New Zealand recipe (and a way to use up golden syrup), check out my ginger crunch recipe!

    I know that making brown butter can be intimidating. Don't be scared, I will hold your hand the whole way through in my post and you'll be nailing it in no time: Brown Butter 101: The Ultimate Guide

    Dry ingredients for anzac base
    Dry Ingredients for Anzac Biscuit Base
    mixture pressed into pan
    Anzac Biscuit base ready for oven
    corner shot of Anzac Brownies
    Make sure you whip together the sugar and the eggs super well for that perfect crinkly brownie top!

    Using Golden Syrup in baking

    You will notice that this recipe uses Golden Syrup - which is a sugar cane based syrup, similar in consistency to corn syrup but with a completely different taste - it has a toasty flavour and is one of my favourite things to use in recipes.

    The role of golden syrup in Anzac biscuits is to provide that chewy and toasty flavour. If you cannot find golden syrup, you can use honey instead. I used to get my golden syrup online when I was in the US - if you have some that needs using up, check out my golden syrup recipes!

    How to cut Brownies Cleanly

    While these also have the Anzac biscuit base, the thin layer of fudgy brownie on top can be a little messy to cut - unless you chill it, and then you will be fine.

    I like to wait until the brownies have cooled slightly, then pop them in the fridge until cooled completely (if you are worried about them being too warm on the fridge shelf, I place a small oven rack in the fridge too just to protect it)

    My Top Brownie Tips

    • Get all my tips and tricks on how to get the perfect crinkly brownie top in my fudgy homemade brownie recipe.
    • Plus, follow this easy Instagram video tutorial to cleanly cut homemade brownies!
    baked anzac biscuit base
    Baked Anzac biscuit base
    brownie over anzac biscuit base
    Base topped with brownie batter

    ❤️ Made this recipe and love it? ❤️

    I would LOVE for you to leave me a review and star rating below to let me know how you liked it! Also, please make sure to tag me on Instagram!

    Answers to your baking questions

    Over the years, many of you have asked me questions about:

    • baking in grams
    • adjusting oven temperatures
    • what kind of salt to use
    • and many more!

    I've curated and answered them all for your easy reference in this frequently asked questions post!

    Print
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    stacked up Anzac biscuit brownie bars

    Anzac Biscuit Brownie Bars

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 18 reviews
    • Author: Erin Clarkson
    • Prep Time: 30 minutes
    • Cook Time: 1 hour
    • Total Time: 4 hours
    • Yield: 20 servings 1x
    • Category: Brownie
    • Method: Baking
    • Cuisine: New Zealand
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    These Anzac Brownie Bars are a combination of chewy Anzac biscuit, and fudgy chocolate brownie. They are super easy to make, and a fun twist on a classic.


    Ingredients

    Scale

    Anzac Biscuit Base

    • 150g unsalted butter, cold from the fridge is fine 
    • 40g golden syrup
    • 30g water
    • ¾ tsp baking soda
    • 135g all-purpose flour
    • 50g desiccated coconut
    • 110g Old-fashioned oats (Rolled Oats)
    • 130g brown sugar
    • 90g caster sugar 
    • ½ tsp salt

    Brownie Topping

    • 135g dark chocolate (I used 72%), coarsely chopped
    • 120g unsalted butter, cold from the fridge is fine
    • 10g dutch process cocoa 
    • 2 large eggs (100g not including the shell) 
    • 135g caster sugar
    • 65g brown sugar
    • ¼ tsp vanilla 
    • ¼ tsp salt
    • 65g all-purpose flour


    Instructions

    ANZAC BISCUIT BASE

    1. Preheat the oven to 325°f / 160°c Grease and line a 9x13" (20cm x 30cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhanging to help remove the brownie later.
    2. Place the butter in a medium saucepan, and place over medium heat. Cook until the butter has melted, and then continue to cook, swirling the pan often, until the butter foams and turns golden brown and nutty - this should take 3-4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and allow to cool slightly.
    3. Weigh out 115g (see Notes section below) of the brown butter and place into a small saucepan. 
    4. Add the Golden Syrup and water, and place over a low heat, stirring frequently, until smooth and melted together.
    5. While the wet ingredients are heating up, in a large bowl, combine the flour, coconut, oats, brown sugar, caster sugar, and salt. Mix until full incorporated.
    6. Once the butter and golden syrup is smooth and combined, remove from the heat and add the baking soda, mixing well to incorporate (it will foam up a little). Pour into the dry ingredients and stir with a spatula until well combined.
    7. Transfer the base mixture to the prepared pan, and smooth out (it will be quite thin). I like to use an offset spatula or my hands. Make sure that it is evenly spread out. 
    8. Bake the Anzac biscuit base for 20 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely (this step can be done a day ahead and stored covered with plastic wrap).

    BROWNIE TOPPING

    1. Preheat the oven to 350°f/180°c.
    2. In a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water (make sure the bowl does not touch the water), combine the dark chocolate and butter. Heat, stirring frequently, until the chocolate and butter are melted and the mixture is smooth. Alternatively you can do this step in the microwave - microwave for 30 second increments, stirring well after each until the mixture is smooth and combined. 
    3. Sift the cocoa powder over top of the chocolate and butter mixture and stir until well combined.
    4. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, caster sugar, and brown sugar. Mix on medium to high speed with an electric handheld mixer for 2-3 minutes until the mixture has lightened and increased in volume. This step can also be done in a stand mixer using the whisk attachment.
    5. Add the chocolate mixture and mix to combine. Add the salt and vanilla and mix until incorporated. 
    6. Add the flour and incorporate by hand until the mixture is smooth and does not have any lumps. 
    7. Pour the batter over the cooled Anzac base, then leave to sit for a few minutes, then bang on the counter to help remove any big bubbles. 
    8. Bake the brownie slice for 20 to 25 minutes, until the top and edges are set. 
    9. Remove from the oven and allow to cool, then transfer to the fridge and allow to chill completely. 
    10. Remove from the pan using the overhanging parchment, and slice into pieces using a sharp knife, wiping between cuts. 
    11. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

    Notes

    • You may notice that there are two quantities of butter in the recipe - the initial quantity of butter, then a second measurement in the method which is the quantity of brown butter. The larger initial quantity is to account for water loss when browning - read more about that in my FAQ. You may have a tiny bit leftover - I use it to put on toast!
    • Can I use salted butter?
      Yes - if you don't have unsalted butter that is totally fine - just hold back a little on the salt content in the brownie batter. 
    • Do I have to use caster sugar?
      No - you can use regular granulated sugar if you like. In New Zealand, our sugar is much coarser, so I call for caster sugar in the recipe. However if you are in the US or you have finer sugar, regular granulated is fine. Either work great in the recipe, caster just dissolves better when being whipped with the eggs to form that crackly top. Another reason why baking with grams is the best - 200g of sugar is 200g sugar.

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @cloudykitchen on Instagram and use the hashtag #cloudykitchen

    Key Ingredients

    • Brown Butter
    • Chocolate
    • Golden Syrup
    • Oatmeal
    « Recipe Notes and Frequently Asked Questions
    30 Minute White Chocolate Chip Cookies »

    Filed Under: Bars and Slices, Brownies, Cookie Bars, New Zealand Recipes

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      Comments

    1. stacy says

      April 24, 2023 at 5:17 am

      making these now!

      Reply
    2. caribou says

      April 24, 2023 at 5:18 am

      these are delicious!

      Reply
      • Lun says

        April 28, 2023 at 11:38 pm

        So the brownie topping doesn't have any baking powder or soda in it?

        Reply
        • Erin Clarkson says

          April 29, 2023 at 9:41 pm

          Nope!

          Reply
    3. Kim says

      April 24, 2023 at 8:36 am

      I anxious to try this! I have an opened can of golden syrup and was looking for recipes to help use it up. One question, desiccated coconut...can I use unsweetened shredded coconut in place of desiccated? Is desiccated coconut a finer texture? If so, would it help to run it through the food processor?

      Reply
      • Erin Clarkson says

        April 25, 2023 at 6:25 pm

        Hi! It should be fine seeing as it's all contained in the pan! You can always process it if you're concerned

        Reply
      • Donna says

        May 04, 2023 at 1:33 am

        Due to anaphylactic allergy, do you think I could substitute no egg replacer for eggs? I understand it will change it somewhat. I have to bake everything gluten free in my house as my daughter can't have gluten, eggs & ALL nuts/seeds. Your recipe looks yummy!

        Reply
        • Erin Clarkson says

          May 09, 2023 at 5:48 am

          I'm not sure sorry! I don't have any experience with egg replacer

          Reply
    4. Susan Oher says

      April 24, 2023 at 1:34 pm

      Absolutely delicious! I cut them into quite small squares and served them at an art opening - they were gone in no time and I loved eves-dropping when people told their friends how delicious they were!

      Reply
    5. Hannah Hunt says

      April 25, 2023 at 7:25 pm

      These are ammmmmmazing 100/10 - Will be making again!!

      Reply
    6. Marise says

      April 25, 2023 at 9:08 pm

      I made these and they are delicious. I found the recipe easy to follow although there’s no way I was completely cooling them before I cut them! A bit more work than an Anzac biscuit but it was next level Anzac. I have now hidden them from the kids.

      Reply
    7. Charle says

      April 26, 2023 at 3:41 am

      It’s outstanding!! Did it two ways one with brownie topper yum!! And then just with choc icing because I ran out of time. A winning recipe that’s “going straight to the pool room” aka print out is now stuck in my fav recipe folder. Thanks heaps! Delicious 🤤

      Reply
    8. Jenn Ulsh says

      June 06, 2023 at 9:20 am

      While I haven't made this recipe yet, it would be a lot easier for me if the measurements weren't in metric ...

      Reply
      • Erin Clarkson says

        June 08, 2023 at 7:47 pm

        Ah yes sorry I forgot that my free blog only exists to suit you specifically, my mistake. You are welcome to google the equivalents.

        Reply
        • Sarah says

          June 18, 2023 at 7:49 am

          Well said, Erin!! I’ve followed your blog for years and want to say thank you for your consistent and well researched recipes and for providing these in metric measurements! I live in England and don’t understand the insistence of (some) Americans on using cups. They’re inaccurate, inconsistent, and make loads of washing up?

          Reply
    9. Clare says

      June 11, 2023 at 3:23 am

      I made a batch of this to put on a shared picnic table at an organised swim. It was absolutely delicious, the brownie was perfectly fudgy and the Anzac layer lovely and chewy. It soon disappeared!

      Reply
    10. Libby Cullen says

      June 26, 2023 at 2:58 pm

      Yet another amazing recipe on this blog, thank you Erin! I made this yesterday and it was absolutely delicious. The anzac base is such a great addition to the brownie and they go perfectly together. The recipe was clear and easy to follow (yay for grams!!!). Would 10/10 recommend and had loads of guests ask for the recipe so it's going to be on my to-bake list again soon for sure.

      Reply
    11. Lauren says

      December 14, 2023 at 6:25 pm

      I have made this recipe twice and perfect both times. Chewy Anzac base, slightly fudgy brownie on top and I found the recipe so easy to follow with no obscure ingredients. Absolute crowd pleaser at work.

      Reply
    12. Lisa says

      April 25, 2024 at 6:00 pm

      I made this yesterday for Anzac Day and boy was it a hit! I’m not usually a fan of brownies in general but this combo was absolutely delicious. The middle bits were fudgey brownie with the Anzac texture base and the edges were a slightly more firm so it was a real crowd pleaser. Easy to make, very little fuss 😀

      Reply
    13. Karissa says

      April 26, 2024 at 9:58 pm

      Can I use white chocolate and replace the cocoa with extra flour?

      Reply
      • Erin Clarkson says

        April 27, 2024 at 6:28 pm

        I don't think it's a straight sub sorry and would be far too sweet

        Reply
    14. Audrey Ting says

      May 05, 2024 at 6:27 am

      These are incredible! I make a batch every few weeks and freeze them in bite sized pieces for lunchboxes or a quick sweet hit. Totally worth the effort. It’s definitely another family staple and a big tick from big and little kids alike 🙂

      Reply
    15. L R says

      June 09, 2024 at 5:13 pm

      Second time making these and they are SO GOOD!! Amazing recipe works perfectly. I will be thinking about these until I make them again. Thank you for sharing

      Reply
    16. Briar Williams says

      July 12, 2024 at 11:59 pm

      I have made this recipe a number of times and it never fails. It's such a delicious combo and really easy to make. Have shared the recipe with a number of people as it's always so popular. Thanks Erin!

      Reply
    17. Melissa says

      August 12, 2024 at 3:32 am

      I love Anzac biscuits and who doesn't love brownie so made this recipe over the weekend. I thought it would be a hit for the school lunch box. I delivered the baking to family tonight and Luca scoffed two pieces. His mother send me a text "No wonder Luca scoffed these, blimin delicious and a tiny bit dangerous. Great recipe, will make again and I'm sure they will freeze well.

      Reply
    18. Evann says

      August 20, 2024 at 12:18 pm

      I made these bars last night. My husband took one bite, pulled my ring off my finger, got down on one knee, and proposed to me all over again. To say he loved them is an understatement.

      Reply
    19. Rosie says

      April 25, 2025 at 4:31 am

      The expected guests didn’t end up coming over, more for me!! Suckers

      Reply
    20. Nadine says

      April 27, 2025 at 5:23 am

      These are delicious!

      Reply
    21. Meg says

      December 31, 2025 at 11:34 pm

      I was skeptical about the brownie going with the Anzac base but I was absolutely proven wrong. Delicious!!

      Reply
    Erin Clarkson Cloudy Kitchen

    HI, I'M ERIN

    My recipes range from quick & easy all the way to complex & impressive. I love the science and process of recipe development almost as much as baking itself. I specialize in rigorously tested recipes that are fun, reliable, and accurate.

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