Afghan Biscuits (Chocolate Cornflake Cookies)
In short: Crumbly chocolate biscuits with crushed cornflakes for crunch, topped with chocolate icing and a walnut half, a New Zealand tea-time favorite. It takes about 43 min in total and makes 10 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 18 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 43 min
- Servings
- 10
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 395 kcal
Afghan biscuits are a New Zealand baking classic: a crumbly, not-too-sweet chocolate biscuit with crushed cornflakes folded in for crunch, topped with chocolate icing and a walnut half. They are found in lunchboxes, bakeries and morning-tea tins, and they come together from pantry staples. The cornflakes keep the biscuit open and crisp, so crush them only lightly.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line two baking trays with baking paper.
- Beat the butter and sugar for about 3 minutes until pale and creamy.
- Sift the flour and cocoa over the butter and stir until just combined. The dough will be stiff.
- Gently fold in the cornflakes without crushing them further.
- Place heaped tablespoons of dough on the trays, 4 cm (1 1/2 in) apart, and press lightly with a fork. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until firm. Cool on the tray for 10 minutes, then move to a rack.
- For the icing, sift the icing sugar and cocoa into a bowl. Stir in the butter and hot water until smooth and spreadable.
- Spread icing over each cooled biscuit and top with a walnut half. Leave for 30 minutes to set.
Tips
- Crush the cornflakes only lightly, to pieces about the size of a coin. Fine crumbs make the biscuits dense.
- The dough barely spreads, so shape each mound the way you want it to bake. Leave off the walnuts for a nut-free version.
Questions and answers
Why are they called Afghan biscuits?
The origin of the name is unclear and debated. What is certain is that they have been a New Zealand favorite for generations.
Can I freeze Afghan biscuits?
Freeze the plain, un-iced biscuits for up to 2 months. Thaw them and ice them just before serving.
Can I use another cereal instead of cornflakes?
Crushed cornflakes give the classic crunch. Rice puffs or crushed bran flakes also work, though the texture will change.
How long does it take to make Afghan Biscuits (Chocolate Cornflake Cookies)?
About 43 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 18 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Afghan Biscuits (Chocolate Cornflake Cookies)?
About 395 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 50 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 395 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 50 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 28 g |
| Sodium | 210 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
