If you’re looking for a sweet escape, Afghan cookies are the perfect treat to brighten your day. With their unique flavors and delightful textures, these cookies offer a taste of tradition and love. Let’s explore some amazing recipes that will make your kitchen feel like a warm, inviting bakery!
Shekar Pareh (Afghan Sugar Cookies)

Grandma's Afghan Biscuits from Just a Mum's Kitchen
Rating: 4.6. Ingredients: 32 min Total Time: 32 min.
These delightful sugar cookies are soft, slightly crispy on the edges, and dusted with powdered sugar. The simple ingredients—flour, sugar, butter, and a hint of cardamom—come together to create a cookie that melts in your mouth. What makes Shekar Pareh special is the addition of cardamom, giving it a unique flavor that sets it apart from regular sugar cookies.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- Powdered sugar for dusting
To make these cookies, cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy, then mix in the flour, baking powder, and cardamom. Shape the dough into balls, place them on a baking sheet, and bake until golden. Once they cool, a sprinkle of powdered sugar makes them look fancy and taste even sweeter!
Anar Cookies (Pomegranate Cookies)

Special pomegranate cookie for Yalda night in 15 minutes from Meals Cook
Ingredients: 15 мин Total Time: special pomegranate cookie for yalda night in 15 minutes.
These vibrant cookies are not only a feast for the eyes but also a burst of flavor. Made with pomegranate molasses, they have a tangy sweetness that pairs perfectly with the soft, buttery dough. Anar Cookies are often made during special occasions, making them a beloved treat in Afghan households.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup pomegranate molasses
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Start by creaming the butter and sugar, then blend in the pomegranate molasses for that unique flavor. Mix in the dry ingredients until just combined, and scoop the dough onto a baking sheet. The result? Chewy and flavorful cookies that everyone will love!
Kashk-e Bademjan Cookies (Eggplant Cookies)

Kashke Bademjan (Persian Eggplant Dip) from Cooking With Ayeh
Rating: 4.9. Ingredients: Sour cream, caramelized onions, saffron, olive oil, dried mint leaves Total Time: sour cream, caramelized onions, saffron, olive oil, dried mint leaves.

Kashke Bademjan (Persian Eggplant Dip) from Unicorns in the Kitchen
Rating: 4.9. Ingredients: Kashk, olive oil, garlic, turmeric, dried mint Total Time: kashk, olive oil, garlic, turmeric, dried mint.

Kashke Bademjan: Persian Eggplant Dip from Dimitras Dishes
Ingredients: Sour cream, olive oil, dried mint leaves, boiling water, black pepper Total Time: sour cream, olive oil, dried mint leaves, boiling water, black pepper.
Yes, you read that right! These cookies are made with roasted eggplant, creating a soft texture and a unique flavor that surprises many. Infused with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, Kashk-e Bademjan Cookies are a fun twist on traditional cookies that will definitely be a talking point at your next gathering.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup roasted and mashed eggplant (cooled)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
Mix the mashed eggplant with sugar, then fold in the flour and spices. Drop spoonfuls of the batter onto a baking sheet, and bake until they’re golden brown. These cookies are not only delicious but also a great way to sneak in some veggies!
Gulab Jamun Cookies

Gulab Jamun Cookies: A fusion eggless recipe from In-Fused Living
Rating: 4.4. Ingredients: 4, 4(24)
Inspired by the famous Indian dessert, these cookies are luxurious, sweet, and absolutely irresistible. They are made with khoya (dried milk) and flavored with rose water, giving them a unique taste that will remind you of special celebrations. Gulab Jamun Cookies are perfect for sharing, but honestly, you might not want to!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup khoya (or milk powder as a substitute)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup ghee or unsalted butter
- 1 tsp rose water
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
Mix the khoya, sugar, and ghee together until smooth, then add flour, baking powder, and rose water. Form the dough into small balls and place them on a baking sheet. The result is a soft, flavorful cookie that will transport your taste buds to the sweet streets of Afghanistan!
Naan-e Khashkhash (Poppy Seed Cookies)

Afghan Biscuits from Cloudy Kitchen
Ingredients: Cornflakes, cocoa, icing sugar, vanilla, all purpose flour Total Time: 30 min.

New Zealand Afghan Biscuits (Cookies) from Days of Jay
Rating: 4.7. Ingredients: Unsweetened cocoa powder, cornflakes, powdered sugar, butter, plain flour Total Time: 30 min.

Grandma's Afghan Biscuits from Just a Mum's Kitchen
Rating: 4.6. Ingredients: Cornflakes, cocoa, icing sugar, vanilla, white sugar Total Time: 32 min.
These cookies are a delightful combination of nutty and floral flavors, thanks to the poppy seeds. They have a crumbly texture that makes them perfect for pairing with a cup of tea. Naan-e Khashkhash cookies are popular during festive times, and they add a special touch to any dessert table.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup poppy seeds
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Start by creaming the butter and sugar together, then add the flour, baking powder, salt, and poppy seeds. Roll the dough into small balls and flatten them slightly before baking. The combination of sweetness and the unique crunch of poppy seeds will keep you reaching for more!