I first tried these on our recent trip to New Zealand. I’m usually a good sharer and will offer my dining companion a taste or half of what I’m eating. Not so in this case. I was greedy and unrepentant. I had never tried a biscuit or cookie like this before. It was a thick cookie with an intriguing texture, dry but not desert-dry, with a slightly crispy crunchy touch to it-the closest that I could describe it was similar to cookie crossed with a cupcake-the cupcake part due to the icing. Plus a walnut half on the top.
When I returned, I kept thinking about how much I’d like to make these again so I asked Tammy from Wee Treats By Tammy who is a NZ food blogger if she knew a good recipe for them. She knew straight away what I wanted and sent me the recipe from the fantastic “Ladies, a plate” cookbook by Alexa Johnston. The cookbook’s title is a reference to the community events where women were asked to bake goodies and the invitations would begin with a “Ladies, a plate”. The recipe was from a Mrs Marian Benton’s recipe book which was lent to the author by Benton’s daughter. The gorgeous and easy to work with glossy chocolate icing was developed by Lois Daish.
Looking through the recipe I thought that it was simple and straightforward. Simple enough to get M’s sons S and In to give it a try. Like many mums she wants her kids to have cooking skills and encouraging them to start making their own items is a good start so we arranged to do this at Adrienne and Nick’s house where we managed to drag the boys away from their Wii obsession into making some cookies. The reward? As many cookies you can stuff into your waiting mouth. And with that, the deal was instantly struck and the Wii temporarily forgotten for S.
The best part of baking
As for the etymology of the name, there are plenty of theories and none with a consensus as to being the correct one. Some say that they resemble the craggy mountains of Afghanistan, some say that they were made by Afghan settlers in Australia although they’re definitely more of a NZ thing than they are here. One theory also purports that the cookies resemble the Afghani people with the cookie their skin, the icing the hair and the walnut their turban.
Afghan Cookies
Makes about 14 (depending on size)
For the biscuit
- 6ozs/170g butter softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup/100g brown sugar
- 1 1/2 cups/180g flour
- 3 tablespoons cocoa
- 1/2 teaspoon baking power
- 2 cups/60g cornflakes broken up into smaller bits (but not small enough to be powder)
For the icing
- 3 tablespoons water
- 3 tablespoons/45g caster sugar
- 3 tablespoons/45g butter
- 1 1/2 cups/190g icing sugar
- 3 tablespoons cocoa
- walnut halves
1. Preheat oven to 180c. Line 2 baking sheets with baking parchment.
Cutting up the butter
Creaming the butter and brown sugar
2. Cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Sift dry ingredients on top of this mix and mix together. The batter will be in little lumps. Then knead in cornflakes and gathering a ball of the mix, shape rounds and place on baking tray-we made them about 5.5-6cms in diameter. Flatten them gently with a fork. They do not really spread so just put them a little bit apart from each other but not touching.
Ready to bake
3. Bake for 12-14 minutes (if cooking time is too short, they will be too delicate to set). Cool.
Icing
1. Gently heat the water, caster sugar ad butter until butter is melted and simmer for 1 minute to form a syrup. Sift the icing sugar and cocoa.
Sifting the icing sugar and cocoa
2. While constantly whisking with a balloon whisk, pour the syrup onto the sifted icing sugar and cocoa. Add some hot water to thin out icing (we added about 5 tablespoons but just judge from the icing consistency). You want it thick enough to hold its shape and not run but not thick enough so that any spoon marks hold.
3. Using a teaspoon place some icing on the centre of the cookie and then add a walnut half in the centre of each. Leave to set if you can wait or just let the kids at it. It’s hard to hold them back at this stage.
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83 Comments | Add your own
Amazing cookies! These boys have some potential.
I should really get my boys cooking more! The cookies look great!
So captivating cookie crunchy and like a touch of cupcake, bizarre and delicious simultaneously!
I must try this superb cookie soon because the recipe seems easy, totally to eat the entire batch
Thanks for sharing this recipe!
I like a lot to know food-customs of other cultures!
All the best!
Gera
That’s great – I love it when you try something and are then able to find a recipe to make it yourself. Did they live up to the ones you tried in NZ?
You’ve never had afghans before?! Argh! They’ve been my favourite biscuit for LIFE! But then, my maternal line is Kiwi, so maybe they are a NZ thing and I never realised? But when I did time as a kitchenhand in a biscuit shop they had afghans there too…
Lorraine, you are making me hungry – these look DEVINE!! This is yet another recipe that I need to make, along with the hundreds of others that I have bookmarked/dog-eared/scribbled down.
I have a recipe for Afghan biscuits that I’ve copied from somewhere, but I’ve never tried it. I think it was because I thought they’d be dry. The dollop of chocolate icing would certainly solve that problem and the walnut really adds a touch of class.
hmmm. i remember having an afgan cookie on a plane from australia to new zealand, and having a chuckle at the irony. This was back when afganistan was first invaded.
yummy cookie and great recipe. I wonder if my kids would like to try this recipe?
I am so pleased you enjoyed these – arent they delicious!
I am going to make these, but I still don’t get why it’s called Afghan?
never heard of them, but i’m so glad i have! these look really tasty. and i love a chocolatey cupcakey cookie
YUMMM! I remember those well….we would have them every day on our NZ holidays if we could find them! Best cookies EVER!
Afghan’s are a storecupboard stand-by in this house, but I didn’t know about the toppings! Of course, now I’m going to have to make a batch this morning… mmmmmmmm…
What a wonderful cookie Lorraine, & love the tale behind it. Adds os much more taste to the yum bites!
These look so interesting! But, then again, I find anything with chocolate interesting.
(I think a ganache would work wonders as a topping…)
These look delicious, what a great idea to add cornflakes! I don’t think I’ve seen anything like them before.
These look delicious and how fun to cook with the kids! I would love to make these with my daughter!
Umm cookies….these look so thick and fudgey and I honestly believe that cookies with cornflakes are the best
wow,i’m so intrigued with the cornflakes in the batter…got an afghan cookie recipe but never tried it yet. after having seen your pics, hmmn… i might try it now.
D
wow, they look great! I guess I’ll have to buy a box of cornflakes now!
I bet the boys had a great time!
The icing is just perfectly smooth! I’ve been munching on walnuts all this week – what a coincidence.
OOohhh if these kids can do it then… I will probably struggle -___- hee hee but I haven’t baked in too long so I shall give these a go thhxx ^^!
Mmmm thick chocolatey biscuiity goodness
Amazing & lovely cookies baked with an experienced team of boys & you, Lorraine!
!!!
MMMMMM….They ( the cookies ) look georgously yummie
I love hearing the stories behind the food!
Hi Lorraine I love your blog but I must say I prefer your baking/cooking posts to your restaurant reviews. You have such a knack for plating your goodies and your step by step photo instructions are great! Keep it up!
Ooh, those look yummy! And definitely kid-friendly. Cookies are the best way to get kids interested in cooking, I think.
Hmmm the cornflakes are an interesting addition! Your description makes me want to run home and make these right now!
Etymology is irrelevant when the cookies look this good. Thanks for the recipe.
Love this version of a cookie! I bet the cornflakes add a great texture to them too.
Also wanted to say that I’m a big fan of your blog- the recipes are great and photos are beautiful!
These look irresistible, Lorraine – and the boys are just too cute! I’d love to have such dear helpers around.
these look similar to what we called hungarian chocolate biscuits we made at school – in the UK..!
They look so tasty and I just love that your sons made them. Got to get those guys in the kitchen!!!
Hmmm, the cookie name is rather interesting…but they must be good is the kiddies are licking the batter.
I can’t decide which look better… the cookies or the boys? They’re both adorable!
I’m so jealous of how much you spoil these boys! =P
I remember Afghan biccies from my childhood growing up in NZ so I’m definitely going to give this recipe a go
Afghan biscuits were part of my childhood (in Australia) – one of my favourite biscuits – they always seems sophisticated because my mum added a little sherry to the icing! I would make them a lot now if cornflakes were part of my pantry
Hi Aimee-They sure do! Maybe the next Gordon Ramsay haha!
Hi Barbara-Definitely a great idea, plus they get to have cookies so why wouldn’t they?
Hi Gera-It’s quite unusual but so moreish! And yes it’s sadly very easy to eat a whole batch! Me too, it’s always so interesting
Hi Anita-They definitely did, they were just as, or perhaps even better than the ones I tried in NZ
Hi Clare-Apparently you can get them here although I don’t think I’ve ever seen them, certainly not marketed as Afghans as I’d remember that name. Also because they are a bit rustic looking perhaps they get overlooked in favour of buttery French sables etc?
Hi Cakelaw-Yes these are definitely worth trying. Even try making half a batch just for experimental purposes
Hi Arwen-They are a little dry but not too dry. It’s hard to describe and the icing is just magic!
Hi tara-Haha what timing! :O I bet they would!
Hi tammy-Thankyou so much for the recipe!
Hi justJENN-You and everyone else! Noone really knows I’m afraid…
Hi shez-They’re so good. If you want to make an easy but moreish biscuit these are definitely the pick
Hi Tiffany-Hehe they are so good aren’t they! I totally agree and I usually can stop at 1 at cookies. I could easily become a cookie monster on these.
Hi Angela-Ah brilliant, the topping is probably my favourite part. Ok maybe the cornflakes too…oh ok the whole thing then!
Hi deeba-Thankyou!
I agree!
Hi Midge-Haha yes chocolate on chocolate is vastly appealing indeed
Hi Sara-Those NZers are a creative bunch aren’t they! I’ve never tried anything like them before either
Hi 5 Star Foodie-I bet she’d love them, she gets to do a bit of mixing, sifting and decorating!
Hi Karen-They’re so good. I wish I had some now in fact
*sigh*
Hi Jescel-Ah cool, well I am such a fan of these I’d have to recommend them
Hi Reemski-Yup! I don’t think they’d be the same without them
Hi Alexandra-I think they did but more for the wii!
Hi Christie-Well you’re eating the healthy part of them
Hi FFichiban-Naaah you’ve made plenty of stuff before and these kids don’t really cook much! I bet you do them perfectly!
Hi Sophie-Thankyou!
I think I ought to make some more 
Hi Moya-Thanks so much!
Hi jane-Thanks, it’s funny how some people prefer something over the other!
Hi anna-I don’t think it’s wise to do anything too ambitious with kids. It ends up traumatising both of you!
Hi stephchows-Oh please do! And let me know what you think!
Hi Leela-Yes what is important is taste and texture and what this has missing in etymology it has plenty of otherwise!
Hi Katie-They do and they’re just the right amount too
Aww thankyou so much, that’s so sweet of you to say!
Hi Patricia -Hehe well they’re good at cooking, now only to get them onto cleaning up
Hi allie-Oh very cool. I wonder how they compare taste wise and if the Afghan is in fact a Hungarian!
Hi Zoë-Oh no, they’re not my sons! They’re my friends
Hi The Duo Dishes-He couldn’t wait to do that
Hi Jesse-Haha how sweet, I’ll pass that onto their mum!
Hi Kathy-Aww we if you were here I’d spoil you too! Let me know how they compare if you make them
Hi Johanna-Really? Why do I feel like I’ve been missing out? Sherry in the icing is very grown up for a kid!
Isn’t that just the most gorgeous book! We’re visiting my parents in NZ this week and my aunt is friends with the author so Mum has a copy. She’s promised me a copy as I was just drooling over it.
Afghans are my favourite biscuits and they are definitely a NZ thing along with Neenish tarts. I must buy a box of cornflakes when I get home and commence baking.
I tried making these tonight, and it somehow turned up to be very dry when I was making the dough, maybe because i added too much flour *shrugs* so i added a bit of milk to make it more “doughy”..
they ended up to be way too flour-y for me
i’m not entirely sure i’d want my appearance to be compared to a cookie…
and yes, beater-licking is the very best part.
Hi Heather-I would love to get a hold of it, it looks like it has some amazingly good stuff in it
I’m craving Afghans now! 
Hi isLa-They are quite dry but did you add the icing? If you don’t add the icing, I don’t know if they would be that good. They are quite dry when you make the dough but they can be shaped that way.
Hi grace-Haha well that’s just legend. I wouldn’t want that either truth be told!
I make a cornflakes cookie somewhat like this (without the cocoa). I shall try this icing on that.
My daughter would love these cookies.
Hi Aparna-Sounds wonderful! I’d love to try a butter or vanilla cookie version
My grandmother used to make afghans all the time and there’s prominent pictures in my Edmond’s Cookbook, I think they must be a NZ staple.
They look great, Lorraine! I’m not sure I’ve ever had them before. I love discovering new cookies!!
Hi Amaya-I think they definitely are
I recall my friends getting rather excited at getting a copy of the Edmond’s cookbook!
Hi Angela-I bet Lucas would love them but they’re also gorgeous with afternoon tea
Oh, Lucas would love them. He’s an absolute fiend for chocolate! (Good thing he likes brushing his teeth, really.)
Hi Angela-Wow, a kid that likes brushing his teeth? Well done!
I have been looking for a great Afghan biscuit recipe – this looks good and I want to try it. Can you tell me do I use plain flour the recipe isn’t specific?
Thanks
This is hilarious. I found your site by chance yesterday while I was looking for a fudge recipe. Today I wanted Afghans and here you are again! I’m a Kiwi so maybe its your affinity for things NZ thats doing it. Love the fact you give measurements for your recipes in imperial so us antipodeans can easily use them. I’ll whip up a batch tonight.
Hi Mandy-Sorry for the delay in replying. Yes please use plain all purpose flour for this
Hi Chris-Fantastic! So glad that you find my site useful. Yep I’m a big fan of NZ food
I hope you liked them!
So glad this of all afghan recipes is listed here, I had (being a kiwi) been using the Edmonds recipe all 20 odd years baking till I sourced this recipe from the book recently, it is the best one around, highly recommended.
Hi Donna-Yep I think this is a great recipe indeed although I just got a copy of the Edmonds cookery book so I’m excited to give those a go!
Hi Lorraine,
I just thought I’d let you know I made this recipe for a work Melbourne cup afternoon tea and they were a huge success, especially with the 2 kiwis!
Hi Alex-That’s absolutely fantastic! I’m so glad to hear that. They’re one of my favourite biscuits too
Wauw that looks like so much fun! and great looking cookies! bet they were yummy!
I was brought up in Australia where my mum acquired a fund-raiser cook book. My favourite recipe in it was Afghans. Somehow during our move back to the U.K. the book got lost. I do a lot of cooking with my 4 sons and had the brainwave of searching on-line for my childhood favourite. Thanks so much for publishing this. I’m sure you did it with me in mind!
We are going to add lemon icing as I always did as a child. It adds a nice sharpness in contrast to the sweetness. Yum yum. They must be cool by now.
YUMMY………..Even better than the edmonds cookbook ones!!!!! :0)
Hi Lorraine, I’ve just made these and the mix was very dry and almost like crumbs. I had to really press the mix together to make the cookies. Is this how it’s supposed to be? I thought it should have been a little moister to hold together better.
Thanks for reminding me about these – on the list now!!
Hi Lorraine & many thanks for your fab recipe, I’m a kiwi and love these bikkies! Thought I’d share my tip with you, I use 1.5 cups of cornflakes and half a cup of dessicated coconut in these (instead of the usual 2cups of cornflakes), and they are delicious!! Give it a try, would be keen to hear your comments. Many thanks and happy christmas to you & your family, Charlie Smyth, Auckland New Zealand
Hi Lorraine,just read your recipe on Afghan biscuits and I think an error was made when listing 2 cups of cornflakes. The original recipe called for 2 ounces of cornflakes in the Edmonds Cookery Book. 2 cups would make the mixture very dry.
Sincerely,
Shirley
Hi Beau-thankyou so much!
Hi Julia-Ahh what wonderful memories and hehe yes absolutely I did post it with you in mind!
Hi Kirsty-Yes I’ve heard that these are even better!
Hi Melinda-It is a dry mix and I thought the same but just add a bit of water to adhere it all together
Hi Cate-fabulous!
Hi Charlie-Oh thatnkyou! I love that you used coconut! That would add another (delicious) dimension
Hi Shirley-This isn’t the Edmonds cookery book recipe, it’s one from Ladies, a Plate and yes the 2 cups of cornflakes are correct
This is a scrumptious recipe. I never heard of these cookies before but it was my turn to bring the birthday treat for a co-worker. He is from New Zealand and mentioned them and I had to go to the internet to find out what they were! The only thing I would add to all h=who try the recipe is to mix the batter with your hands to shape the cookies. It looks too dry with a spoon but once you knead the dough with your hands the magic happens. My co-worker said they were really authentic and everyone else loved them!
i hope thosw cookies are tasty because me and my daughte ( shes five) were having a tester for her birthday party tommorrow and instead of using cornflakes we had to use weatbics
<3 I <3 THEM SOP FAR ITS A EASY RECIPE MY1 AND A HALF YEAR OLD BABY will love them soo much <3 <3 <3
thanx for the recipe from charlie ( an 20 year oold
yummy1 these are so fun to make!
I don’t have a great track record, when it comes to baking afghans. However, this recipe has changed that. It is easy, simple, and most importantly delicious. It is going straight into my recipe book! Thanks I will definitely be coming back to this website again!!
Note: I only used 1.5 cups of cornflakes and added a dash of vanilla essence- worked a treat!
lovely cookies
:)
I first tried these when I was 14 on a rotary exchange in NZ. When I got back to the Gold Coast I was raving about them, so I went hunting on the internet for a recipe – unfortunately back in 2001 I couldn’t find a decent recipe online and every batch I made was DISGUSTING so I gave up.
I was telling a friend recently about them and went googling and found your site, I made these up yesterday and they taste amazing
Thank you so much. I’ve made a giant batch for the guys at work ^^
I’m so glad I found your site – love seeing reviews of Australian restaurants and finding new things to make!
I’m a New Zealander and I have to say these Afghans are EXACTLY right. A proper Afghan shouldn’t be very sweet, but it shoud be incredibly rich and have an extreme cocoa flavour.
I’ve never made Afghan icing like this before, but it worked out well (even though I ended up with way too much!). Like you, I found that it needed quite a few extra tablespoons of water to get the right consistency.
Well done. I will use this recipe again.
I am a Kiwi living in new Zealand and I’ve never made Afghan bikkies that are so delicious. I’ve always wondered how you get the icing so glossy. NOW I KNOW!!! Thanks so much. Delish
My fond memories of cookie baking in the 60s included my coffee afghans. Have you tried them? I just did but haven’t included temps so they’re a bit over-the-top buttery. Using just Bushell’s coffee chicory essence they’re pretty easy but I need to work on the exact measurements and temps again. i probably collected the recipe from a 60s blog i.e. Evening Post, Dominion or perhaps Aunt Daisy!
Hi,
I’ve made your recipe with my daughter, those biscuits are awesome ! Really loved them !
Thanls for the share
http://www.cookingmumu.com/biscuits-afghans-specialite-de-nouvelle-zelande
Hi, I remember my Mum making these as a kid in Australia. They were one of my favs so I’m now getting the recipe out to make for my daughter. Our family tradition was to add a handful or two of glacé cherries or ginger, choc bits, dates, sultanas, or marshmallows to the batter depending on what was in the cupboard. And there rarely was a chance to ice them before they were eaten!
I just made these and thought I’d tell people… resist the urge to add more liquid! Mine were super dry and the mix just fell apart in my hands so I added a bit of water and an egg (fail) and while they taste amazing, the texture was a bit chewy in places… likely from the egg. I’ll for sure make these again but will resist the urge… they are meant to be crumbly and crunchy!
I’m visiting NZ at the moment and have fallen in love with these cookies!
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