It’s a Kiwi thing!

Let me start with that Chocolate Afghans are a Kiwi thing. Unless you are a New Zealander, lived in New Zealand or know a beloved Kiwi, you’re This is why you’re not likely to have heard of these biscuits before. They are honestly New Zealand’s best-kept secret, followed by the keel of the yacht NZ raced in the America’s Cup. A biscuit manufacturer in New Zealand even commercialised it (sans walnut) many years after it first appeared in the Edmonds Cookbook in the 1940’s edition.

So what are these biscuits? They are made with easy to find ingredients in your pantry – flour, sugar, butter, cocoa powder and cornflakes. The most exotic ingredient actually is the added walnut on top. However, this is the only part of the biscuit that features a nut. It’s your choice really if you want to be authentic and include it, or leave it off.

I’m sure you’re wondering how sweet these are. I can report that the actual biscuit itself isn’t too sweet. It’s the added icing on top is what gives this it’s sweetness.

What’s with the name?

In terms of the name and where this comes from, I honestly have no idea. I don’t think anyone really does. I’ve lived most of my life in New Zealand. That’s why I know there aren’t many Afghanis living there – in fact, 2018 Census states that they make up <1% of New Zealand’s population. This has made me even more curious about its name. So I searched online. There are a few theories, all are plausible with none being 100% confirmed, Have a read of these three name origin… which do you think is correct?

Option 1:
Some think the biscuit’s texture is similar to the landscape of Afghanistan. The cornflakes representing sand and the icing and walnut symbolising mountains.

Option 2:
The biscuit was inspired by Britain’s involvement in the Anglo-Afghan Wars, which began in 1839. The thought is that these chocolate Afghan biscuits may have been invented for wartime care packages. Or possibly represent “eating” the enemy.

Option 3:
Some websites like Wikipedia state that the biscuit may be a representation of an Afghan male, with the walnut on top representing the symbolic turban.

Regardless of where the name came from, they are one heck of a delicious biscuit. Added bonus – they are pretty quick and easy to make too! So go on… put a little Kiwi into you today by whipping up a batch of these for your family.

Chocolate Afghans

A Kiwi favourite that is New Zealand's best-kept secret. Made with simple to source ingredients, you'll be able to whip up a batch of these chocolate iced delights in no time!

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 32 minutes mins

Servings 18 biscuits

Ingredients

 

Biscuit Base

• 200 g butter, softened
• ½ cup white sugar
• 1¼ cup plain flour
• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 2 cups cornflakes

Icing

• 1½ cups icing sugar
• 1½ tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon butter, melted
• 1-2 tablespoons water
• 18 walnut halves, optional

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 180 degree celsius. Prepare an oven tray by covering with baking paper.
• Cream butter and sugar together until light in colour and creamy in texture.
• Add flour, cocoa and vanilla essence. Mix well then add cornflakes and lightly combine.
• Take a tablespoonful sized amount and roll into a ball. Slightly flatten with your fingers and add onto baking tray.
• Bake for 12 minutes. They will still be soft when you take them out of the oven but they'll firm up as they cool down.
• To prepare the icing, add all icing ingredients (excluding the walnut) into a medium bowl. Mix to combine until smooth. Add a little more water to mixture to thin it down, or add a little more icing sugar to thicken it up.
• Ice the biscuits when they are cold. Finish by adding a walnut half on top (optional).

Notes

• If you want to skip the walnut, substitute this with a light sprinkling of desiccated coconut. 
• If you love walnuts, you can crush a small handful and add it into the biscuit mixture along with the cornflakes to combine.