Afghans (New Zealand)

Folding cornflakes into the dough before baking gives simple chocolate cookies an addictive crunch.

Cookies:
1¼ cups all-purpose flour, unbleached
¼ cup cocoa powder
14 Tbsp. butter, softened
½ cup sugar
2 cups cornflakes

Icing:
2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 Tbsp. cocoa powder
¼ tsp. butter, melted
¼ tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 Tbsp. water, boiling hot

Garnish:
walnuts

Preheat an oven to 375°F (190°C/170°C fan, Gas Mark 5).

Make the Cookies:
Whisk flour and cocoa powder in a bowl; set aside. Using an electric hand mixer, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. With the motor running, slowly add flour mixture until dough forms; fold in cornflakes.

Using 2 Tbsp. dough for each, drop cookies onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Using the back of a spoon; gently flatten cookies; bake until set, about 15 minutes. Let cookies cool completely.

Make the Icing:
Whisk confectioners' sugar and cocoa in a bowl. Whisk in butter, vanilla, and water until smooth. Drizzle icing over cookies; garnish with walnuts, if you like.

Makes 15 cookies.