A classic delicious Chocolate version of Grandma’s Afghan Biscuits recipe. Definitely one to save!
Published September 22, 2014, Updated April 4, 2024
I was blessed to know my wonderful Grandma into my early 20′s until she passed from Cancer. She was a Wife to a Sheep Farmer, a Mother to seven, a Grandma to 21 and by now would be a Great Grandma to lots & lots of Great Grandchildren!
She was very special to me and some of the fondest memories I have of her are baking and preparing meals for her family & grandchildren and I am delighted to have many of her recipes, passed on by my Mum who was her eldest daughter.
It is not until you go to write up a recipe that you think about the name of the thing you are needing to write about – Afghans. Hmmmm interesting name for a biscuit! There is little to no helpful information online about where it got its name but in the USA they call their blankets or throws Afghans. I digress……
There are several theories – some that it looks like the mountainous regions of Afghanistan, others that it was created duringa time ofan Afghan war – but one thing is for sure – this is a well loved and much made biscuit in New Zealand which has been around fornearly 80 years!
Unlike traditional cookies it contains very little sugar compared to the butter content, but this is made up for with the sweet icing and the addition of a walnut half on top – such a traditional cookie prepared in a very traditional way.
There are few variations around – some with no vanilla, some with coconut etc but I like to keep to this recipe from my Grandma – it is lovely, not too crumbly and delicious!
Pin It – Grandma’s Afghan Biscuits
If you would prefer to make an even easier version then don’t roll the dough into balls! Make it into a slice instead, check out my version of that here – Recipe for Afghan Biscuit Slice
Onto the recipe for Grandma’s Afghan Biscuits!
Yield: 18
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 32 minutes
Classic Afghan Biscuit recipe, with chocolate icing and a walnut on top
Ingredients
- 200 grams Butter - softened or melted
- 1/2 Cup White Sugar, 105 grams
- 1 1/4 Cups Plain White Flour, 185 grams
- 1/4 Cup Cocoa, 22 grams
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla, 5 mls
- 2 Cups Cornflakes - 80g
- IICING
- 1 1/2 Cups Icing Sugar, 210 grams
- 1 heaped Tablespoon Cocoa, 6 grams
- 1 teaspoon vanilla, 5mls
- 1 teaspoon melted butter, 5mls
- 1-2 Tablespoons Water 15-30 mls
- 18 Walnut Halves
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180C (350F) Bake
- Prepare an oven tray by greasing - or as I do lightly spraying with cooking spray and covering in baking paper
- In a food mixer or with electric beaters whip the butter & sugar for 4-5 minutes until creamy
- Add flour, cocoa & vanilla and mix well
- Add cornflakes and lightly combine.
- Take tablespoon sized amounts and roll into balls spread evenly on the tray
- Lightly flatten with your fingers.
- Bake for 12 minutes - they will be soft when they come out of the oven
- Allow to stand for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely
- To prepare your icing - in a medium bowl combine icing sugar, cocoa, vanilla & melted butter and mix
- Slowly add the water a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached. If you accidentally add too much water just add a little icing sugar.
- Ice the biscuits and finish with a walnut half.
- Store in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Enjoy
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 18Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 224Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 106mgCarbohydrates: 30gFiber: 1gSugar: 18gProtein: 2g
JustAMumNZ.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although justamumnz.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
This is such a New Zealand favourite – I would love to hear of my overseas friends trying it out on their friends and family. Be sure to let me know in the comments below if you make it.
Thank you so much for stopping by to check out my latest recipes on my blog. If you are not already be sure to follow me onFacebookorInstagramfor more deliciousness, and you can register your email in the subscription box below to receive all my recipes as I publish them.
Happy Baking
Anna
Pin It! Pinterest
