Name: Empire Biscuits Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 32 min
Cuisine: Scottish
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup raspberry jam; 1 cup powdered sugar; 2–3 teaspoons milk or water; glacé cherries or sprinkles for garnish (optional)

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Empire Biscuits are a nostalgic Scottish classic that transforms the simplest ingredients into a treat you’ll absolutely adore—two buttery shortbread rounds sandwiched with vibrant raspberry jam, glossed with sweet icing, and topped with a jewel-like cherry or cheerful sprinkles. Each bite brings a perfect balance of delicate crunch, rich buttery flavor, and a pop of fruity sweetness, making them irresistible for tea time, holiday trays, or sharing just because. They’re as fun to make as they are to eat, and bring a bit of tradition and whimsy to any table!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients You’ll Need

These Empire Biscuits rely on kitchen staples that each play an essential role, creating that signature tender crumb, light sweetness, and bright finish. Don’t skip or swap—every ingredient does a little magic here!

Unsalted Butter (1 cup, softened): The key to that rich, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread texture—make sure it’s room temperature for easy creaming.
Granulated Sugar (1/2 cup): Sweetens the dough and helps build those crisp, defined edges on your biscuits.
All-Purpose Flour (2 cups): The backbone of the biscuits, giving structure without being heavy.
Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Just enough to balance sweetness and round out the flavors.
Vanilla Extract (1/2 teaspoon): Adds that hint of warmth and aroma that makes these extra inviting.
Raspberry Jam (1/2 cup): For sweet, tangy, classic flavor—try to use a good-quality, seedless jam if possible.
Powdered Sugar (1 cup): Whips up into a gorgeous, snowy-white glaze for the perfect finish.
Milk or Water (2–3 teaspoons): Just enough for a smooth glaze that sets with a gentle shine.
Glacé Cherries or Sprinkles (for garnish, optional): For that splash of color and a nod to tradition—either is delightful.

How to Make Empire Biscuits

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Let’s get started! In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light, fluffy, and almost airy—that’s the secret to those tender, crumbly cookies. It should take about 2-3 minutes with a hand mixer or a sturdy wooden spoon if you’re feeling traditional.

Step 2: Add Vanilla and Dry Ingredients

Mix in the vanilla extract for a subtle depth of flavor. Then gradually add the flour and salt, combining until everything comes together in a soft dough. Don’t overwork it—a gentle touch keeps your Empire Biscuits delicate.

Step 3: Roll and Cut the Dough

Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the dough to a uniform 1/4-inch thickness. Use a 2-inch round cookie cutter to stamp out as many circles as you can, gathering and re-rolling scraps if needed. Each round will be half of a sandwich, so plan accordingly!

Step 4: Bake the Biscuits

Place your cut rounds onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them slightly apart. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 10–12 minutes, just until the edges are slightly golden and the tops are set. Don’t let them brown too deeply—the goal is pale and delicate. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Sandwich with Jam

Once the biscuits are cool, spread a generous layer of raspberry jam on the bottom side of half of them. Top with the remaining cookies to create cute little sandwiches. The jam peeking out is all part of the charm.

Step 6: Glaze and Garnish

In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar with just enough milk or water to make a thick, smooth glaze. Spoon or spread it over the tops of each biscuit sandwich. While the glaze is still wet, decorate with half a glacé cherry or a cheerful sprinkle shower. Let the glaze set before serving your pretty Empire Biscuits.

How to Serve Empire Biscuits

Garnishes

Tradition calls for a bright red glacé cherry perched on top of the glossy white glaze, but a dash of colorful sprinkles brings a fun, festive look! Either way, these toppings make your Empire Biscuits a true showstopper.

Side Dishes

Empire Biscuits are perfect with a cup of afternoon tea, freshly brewed coffee, or even a tall glass of cold milk. They shine on a dessert platter alongside shortbread, scones, or fruit for a charming Scottish-themed spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange Empire Biscuits in pretty paper cases for afternoon tea, gift them in a decorative tin for the holidays, or stack them on a cake stand dusted with a flurry of powdered sugar for the prettiest edible centerpiece you can imagine.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place Empire Biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to 4 days, though it’s rare for them to last that long! Store biscuits in single layers separated by parchment to keep the icing pristine.

Freezing

Baked and un-iced Empire Biscuits freeze wonderfully: just wrap tightly and tuck away for up to 2 months. Wait to ice and fill them until you’re ready to serve for the freshest flavor and best texture.

Reheating

Brought frozen biscuits to room temperature by letting them sit out for 30-60 minutes before filling and icing. No need to reheat baked Empire Biscuits—they’re at their best served cool and crisp.

FAQs

Can I use a different jam for Empire Biscuits?

Absolutely! While raspberry jam gives classic flavor, strawberry, blackcurrant, or even apricot make delicious fillings too. Just opt for a seedless jam for the smoothest bite.

Do I need to use glacé cherries on top?

Not at all. Sprinkles are a fun and colorful alternative, or you can leave some plain for a more understated look. The cherry is traditional, but not mandatory!

Why did my biscuits spread too much?

If your Empire Biscuits spread, it could be from warm dough—pop it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes before cutting and baking, especially in a warm kitchen. Also, be sure to accurately measure your flour for best results.

Can I make Empire Biscuits gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute a good quality 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. They may be slightly more delicate but will still taste fantastic.

How thick should I roll the dough?

Aim for about 1/4 inch thick—this creates a biscuit that’s sturdy enough to sandwich but still tender. Too thin, and they’ll crisp up too much; too thick, and they risk being doughy.

Final Thoughts

These Empire Biscuits honestly never last long in my kitchen—they’re just that lovely! I hope you give them a try and discover how effortlessly charming and scrumptious they are. Gather your ingredients, invite a friend to join, and let these little bites of tradition bring a smile to your table.

Empire Biscuits Recipe

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4.6 from 29 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 32 minutes (plus cooling)
Yield: 12 sandwich cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Learn how to make delicious Empire Biscuits with a buttery shortbread base, sweet jam filling, and a glossy icing finish. These traditional Scottish cookies are perfect for a sweet treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Shortbread Biscuits:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Filling and Decoration:

1/2 cup raspberry jam
1 cup powdered sugar
2–3 teaspoons milk or water
glacé cherries or sprinkles for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix Butter and Sugar: Cream together the butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla extract.
Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Roll and Cut: Roll out the dough to 1/4-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut out biscuits with a round cookie cutter.
Bake: Transfer the biscuits to the baking sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes until the edges start to turn golden. Cool on a wire rack.
Assemble: Spread raspberry jam on half the cookies and sandwich with the remaining cookies.
Glaze and Garnish: Whisk powdered sugar with milk or water to make a thick glaze. Spread over the tops of the biscuits and decorate with cherries or sprinkles.
Set and Serve: Allow the glaze to set before serving.