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)
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.
Notes
- For a traditional look, keep the glaze white and top with a bright red cherry.
- Strawberry or blackcurrant jam can be used as alternative fillings.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Scottish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 biscuit
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
