Empire Biscuits Recipe: Iced Scottish Cookies

This Easy Empire Biscuits Recipe will show you how to create these delightful Scottish sandwich cookies with a layer of homemade frosting in no time. They’re perfect for a fun baking activity with the family, offering a delightful combination of crumbly shortbread and sweet frosting.

What are Empire Biscuits?

Empire biscuits, also known as German biscuits or double biscuits, are a classic Scottish treat featuring two shortbread cookies sandwiched with jam and topped with a sweet frosting and a cherry. They have a delightful texture contrast between the crisp cookies and the smooth frosting.

Fun Fact: The name “Empire Biscuit” is believed to have originated during World War I as a more patriotic alternative to “German Biscuit.”

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• Simple Ingredients: This recipe uses pantry staples, making it a budget-friendly and accessible treat.
• Easy to Customize: Feel free to experiment with different flavors of jam, frosting, and decorations to create your own unique version.
• Family-Friendly: Making these cookies is a fun activity that everyone can enjoy, creating lasting memories.

Empire Biscuit Ingredients:

3 cups All-Purpose Flour
1 cup Sugar
2 ½ Sticks of Butter, softened
1 tablespoon Vanilla Extract (optional)
1 cup Butter, softened
¼ teaspoon Salt
3 cups Powdered Sugar
3 Tablespoons Heavy Whipping Cream
1 tablespoon Vanilla Extract
Maraschino Cherries
Your favorite Jelly or Jam (Raspberry jam is a classic choice)

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar:

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy using an electric mixer. This step incorporates air into the dough, resulting in lighter and more tender cookies.

Step 2: Mix in the Flour:

Gradually add the flour to the creamed mixture, a little bit at a time, until fully incorporated. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.

Tip: If the dough feels too sticky, add a tablespoon of flour at a time until it reaches a manageable consistency.

Step 3: Roll Out the Dough:

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of about ¼ inch.

Step 4: Cut Out the Cookies:

Use a cookie cutter or the rim of a small glass to cut out desired shapes from the dough.

Tip: The glass method is a fun and easy way to cut out uniform circles without the need for a specialized cookie cutter.

Step 5: Bake the Cookies:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the cut-out cookies onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.

Cool the Cookies: Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before assembling.

Step 6: Make the Icing:

While the cookies are cooling, prepare the icing by creaming together the softened butter, salt, powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream, and vanilla extract until smooth and spreadable.

Step 7: Assemble the Empire Biscuits:

Once the cookies are cool, spread a layer of your favorite jam or jelly on one cookie. Top it with another sugar cookie to create a sandwich.

Step 8: Frost the Cookies:

Spread a dollop of icing on top of each assembled biscuit.

Top each frosted cookie with a maraschino cherry for a classic presentation.

Enjoy! Now you have a batch of delicious homemade empire biscuits ready to be devoured.

Expert Tips for Making Empire Biscuits

• For a richer flavor, use brown sugar instead of white sugar in the cookie dough.
• If you don’t have heavy whipping cream, you can substitute it with milk. However, the icing consistency may be slightly thinner.
• Get creative with your decorations! You can use sprinkles, chopped nuts, or even dried fruit to personalize your empire biscuits.

Empire Biscuit FAQS

Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about empire biscuits, from their history and variations to baking tips and storage advice.

What are empire biscuits called now?

While “Empire Biscuit” remains the most prevalent and recognizable name, especially in Scotland, these delightful treats have also been known by other names throughout history and in different regions. You might occasionally encounter them referred to as “double biscuits,” emphasizing their two-cookie sandwich structure.

Historically, they were also called “German biscuits,” a name that has largely fallen out of favor, particularly after World War I. So, whether you call them empire biscuits, double biscuits, or remember them as German biscuits, they’re all the same delicious treat.

What’s the difference between a German biscuit and an empire biscuit?

Essentially, there’s no difference in the actual recipe or ingredients. The shift in name from “German biscuit” to “Empire biscuit” primarily occurred during World War I due to anti-German sentiment. The change was a way to remove any association with Germany and adopt a more patriotic name. So, if you come across a recipe for German biscuits, you can be confident it’s the same as an empire biscuit recipe.

What are empire biscuits made of?

Traditional empire biscuits consist of two simple shortbread-like cookies sandwiched together with a layer of jam, most commonly raspberry. They are then topped with a sweet icing, often made from powdered sugar, butter, and sometimes a touch of vanilla or lemon juice. A glace cherry or a piece of candied fruit is the classic finishing touch. Our recipe utilizes these classic elements while allowing for variations like different jams or icing flavors.

How do you store empire biscuits?

To keep your empire biscuits fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will typically last for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze them. To freeze, place the assembled and frosted biscuits on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw them at room temperature before serving.

Can I use different types of jam in empire biscuits?

Absolutely! While raspberry jam is the traditional choice, I make this with concord grape jelly proving that you can definitely experiment with other flavors. Strawberry, apricot, black currant, or even citrus marmalade can be delicious alternatives. Choose a jam that complements the sweetness of the shortbread and icing.

Can I make empire biscuits without a cookie cutter?

Yes, you can! A simple and effective method is to use the rim of a small drinking glass or a round cookie cutter lid. This technique gives you perfectly uniform circles. You can also use a knife to cut out squares or other shapes if desired.

One of my favorite memories from childhood is helping my mom make empire biscuits. She would make the cookie dough and let us kids help cut out the circles before baking.  We always used the rim of a small drinking glass to make the circles instead of a cookie-cutter. It was a lot of fun for us kids to see the empire cookies get sucked up by the cup then shot back down so easily onto the baking sheet. This led me to always use the rim of a drinking glass when making this empire biscuit recipe, I hardly ever use a cookie cutter. 

When my daughter was little, I continued the tradition of making empire biscuits and taught her how to make this recipe using a glass to cut out the shapes instead of a cookie-cutter. If you have a small glass, you should give this method a try, it really makes this empire biscuit recipe fun to make. 

How do I prevent my empire biscuits from spreading in the oven?

Chilling the dough before baking is key to preventing excessive spreading. After rolling out the dough and cutting out the shapes, place the baking sheet with the cookies in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before baking. This helps the butter solidify, resulting in cookies that hold their shape better.

More Easy Cookie Recipes

• Classic Italian Rainbow Cookie Recipe
• Oatmeal Cookies with Instant Oatmeal Packets
• Soft Pumpkin Cookies
• Soft & Chewy Blackstrap Molasses Cookie Recipe
• Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
• Easy Edible Cookie Dough Recipe

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