These Afghan Biscuits are a New Zealand classic. Afghan Biscuits are a chocolate cornflake based cookie, topped with a simple chocolate icing and a walnut. This Afghan Biscuit recipe is super easy to make and a crowd favourite.
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Afghan Biscuits Recipe
Every now and then one of us gets a bit homesick, and New Zealand feels extra far away (just in case it isn't far enough already). Our current cure is to make some comfort food that we grew up with, which generally comes in the form of chicken pie, or our latest favourite, Afghans Biscuits. I have no idea how a chocolate biscuit that has cornflakes in it came to be called an Afghan, (or how someone thought it would be appropriate to name a biscuit that), but inappropriate names aside, they taste awesome. This recipe is from Edmonds Cookbook, which is a staple in most New Zealand households. Most copies have been well thumbed through and are covered in splatters. My parent's copy only has some of the pages still attached, the rest are floating around the shelf which makes using it a bit of an adventure.
Afghan Biscuits - a New Zealand Classic
These were one of my absolute favourite cookies (or biscuits, as we call them) growing up. I don't know whether its the intense cocoa flavour, the fact that they have cornflakes in them which makes them super awesome, or that they are topped with another Edmonds staple "shitty chocolate icing", which was a rite of passage for almost every kid's (In NZ anyway) childhood. They are just the best. I cant recommend them enough.
How to make Afghans
Afghans are super quick and easy to make. I usually use a stand mixer when making my afghan biscuit recipe. However they will work great in a bowl with an electric mixer.
- Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Standard stuff.
- Add in flour and cocoa powder. This cookie recipe does not have any leavening agent or eggs in it.
- Add cornflakes and mix to incorporate. I do this quickly so the cornflakes do not get too broken.
- Scoop cookies out and flatten slightly.
- Bake until done then cool on the pan then top with the frosting and a walnut half.
For more New Zealand Cookie Recipes, Check out:
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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!
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Afghan Biscuit Recipe
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Afghan Biscuits
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies 1x
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: New Zealand
Description
These Afghan Biscuits are a New Zealand classic. Afghan Biscuits are a chocolate cornflake based cookie, topped with a simple chocolate icing and a walnut. This Afghan Biscuit recipe is super easy to make and a crowd favourite.
Ingredients
Afghan Biscuits
- 200g butter, at room temperature
- 100g granulated sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla
- 180g all-purpose flour
- 30g cocoa
- ½ tsp salt
- 70g cornflakes
Chocolate Topping
- 30g unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 125g icing sugar, sifted
- 15g cocoa
- Pinch of salt
- 1 Tbsp Boiling water
- Walnut Halves
Instructions
AFGHAN BISCUITS
- Preheat the oven to 350°f/180°c. Line two sheet pans with parchment paper.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and mix to incorporate. Add flour, cocoa, and salt, and mix until combined. Add the cornflakes and mix briefly to incorporate.
- Place 2 Tbsp scoops on the prepared baking sheets, leaving room for spreading. Gently roll each piece of dough into a ball and flatten slightly.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, rotating pans half way through, or until the edges are set. Remove from oven, and allow to sit on the tray for 5-10 minutes. Move to an oven rack, and allow the biscuits to cool completely.
CHOCOLATE TOPPING
- Combine butter, icing sugar and cocoa in a small mixing bowl. Add boiling water and mix until smooth (refrain from adding extra water until you have mixed well, or you get stuck in an icing sugar - water - icing sugar vortex)
- Spoon a small amount of the icing onto each biscuit, and place a walnut half on each one.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for a more 'fudgy' texture, or out at room temperature if you prefer them more crunchy!
Keywords: Afghans, Afghan Biscuits, Chocolate Icing, Walnut, Biscuits, New Zealand