Afghan (biscuit) facts for kids
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| Type | Biscuit |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | New Zealand |
| Main ingredients | flour, butter, sugar, cornflakes, cocoa powder, chocolate icing, walnut |
An Afghan is a yummy New Zealand biscuit. It's made with flour, butter, cornflakes, sugar, and cocoa powder. On top, it has sweet chocolate icing and half a walnut.
These biscuits have lots of butter and not much sugar. They also don't use baking powder or soda to make them rise. This gives them a soft, rich, and chewy texture. The cornflakes add a nice crunch! The sweet icing balances the cocoa and low sugar.
What's in a Name?
Even though it's called "Afghan," this biscuit actually comes from New Zealand. People aren't totally sure how it got its name. Some think it might be because the biscuit's bumpy texture looks like the landscape of Afghanistan. Others link it to old wars from the 1800s.
In 2020, a company called Griffin's Foods decided to change the biscuit's name. This happened after the Black Lives Matter movement. Some people felt the name might be connected to past conflicts. So, the biscuit was renamed "Roughs."
How to Make Them
Making Afghan biscuits is quite fun! The famous Edmonds Cookery Book has a popular recipe. To make about 24 biscuits, you need:
- 200 grams of butter
- 115 grams of white sugar
- 160 grams of all-purpose flour
- 25 grams of cocoa powder
- 50 grams of cornflakes
First, you mix all these ingredients together. Then, you roll the mixture into small balls, about the size of a tablespoon. Place them on a greased baking tray. Bake them at 180 degrees Celsius for about 15 minutes.
Once the biscuits are cool, you can add the finishing touches. Spread chocolate icing on top of each biscuit. Then, place half a walnut on the icing.
Over the years, the Edmonds recipe has changed a little. For example, an older version from 1987 used less sugar. You can also find different ways to make them. Some people use crushed Weet-Bix instead of cornflakes for a different texture.
