Afghan Biscuit Delight

Ingredients

• 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (25g) cocoa powder 1/4 cup (25g) cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vanilla essence 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 1 cup (90g) cornflakes 1 cup (90g) cornflakes
• 1/2 cup (50g) crushed biscuits (such as Digestive or Marie) 1/2 cup (50g) crushed biscuits (such as Digestive or Marie)
• 1 cup (180g) dark chocolate, chopped 1 cup (180g) dark chocolate, chopped
• 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter
• 12 walnut halves, for decoration 12 walnut halves, for decoration

Nutrition

• Calories: 180 kcal / 753 kJ
• Fat: 11g (7g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 19g (10g sugars)
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. 2.
   In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. 3.
   Sift the flour and cocoa powder into the bowl and add the vanilla essence. Mix until well combined.
4. 4.
   Gently fold in the cornflakes and crushed biscuits, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
5. 5.
   Take tablespoonfuls of the dough and shape them into round biscuits. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each biscuit.
6. 6.
   Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the biscuits are firm to the touch. Allow them to cool on a wire rack.
7. 7.
   In a heatproof bowl, melt the dark chocolate and unsalted butter together, either in the microwave or over a double boiler.
8. 8.
   Once the biscuits have cooled, spread a generous amount of the chocolate icing on top of each biscuit.
9. 9.
   Place a walnut half on top of each biscuit while the icing is still soft.
10. 10.
    Allow the icing to set before serving. Enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cornflakes — Ensure the cornflakes are slightly crushed to maintain a good texture in the biscuits.
• Dark chocolate — Use a high-quality dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa solids for a rich and intense flavor.
• Walnuts — Toast the walnut halves lightly before placing them on top of the biscuits for an enhanced nutty taste.

Tips & Tricks

• For a twist, add a pinch of cinnamon to the dough for a subtle warmth of flavor.
• If you prefer a sweeter icing, you can add a tablespoon of icing sugar to the chocolate and butter mixture.
• Store the Afghan Biscuits in an airtight container to maintain their freshness and crunchiness.
• These biscuits make a delightful gift when packaged in a decorative tin or box.
• Experiment with different types of crushed biscuits to add variety to the recipe.

Serving advice

Serve these Afghan Biscuits alongside a cup of hot tea or coffee for a delightful afternoon treat. They are perfect for sharing with friends and family during gatherings or as a sweet indulgence for yourself.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Afghan Biscuits on a beautiful platter, allowing the chocolate icing and walnut decoration to shine. Dust them lightly with cocoa powder for an elegant touch.