How to make empire biscuits
Empire biscuits are a classic Scottish teatime treat that consist of two shortbread biscuits sandwiched together with a layer of jam and topped off with a drizzle of icing and a glace cherry. These delightful biscuits are not only visually appealing but also incredibly delicious, making them a perfect addition to any gathering or afternoon tea.
To make your own empire biscuits, you will need a few simple ingredients: butter, flour, sugar, jam, icing sugar, and glace cherries. The key to achieving the perfect shortbread texture is using cold butter and gently combining it with the flour and sugar until you have a crumbly dough. Remember to not overmix!
Once you have the biscuit dough ready, roll it out on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 0.5cm. Use a circular cookie cutter to cut out the individual biscuits. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for approximately 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
After the biscuit base has cooled, it’s time to assemble the empire biscuits. Take one biscuit and spread a thin layer of your favorite jam on top, then place another biscuit on top to create a sandwich. In a separate bowl, mix together icing sugar and a small amount of water until you have a smooth, runny consistency. Drizzle the icing over the biscuits, and finally, add a glace cherry on top of each biscuit for a finishing touch.
Empire biscuits are a beloved sweet treat that can be enjoyed all year round. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, making these biscuits at home is a fun and rewarding experience that will impress family and friends alike. So why not give it a try and indulge in the deliciousness of homemade empire biscuits?
The Perfect Recipe for Making Empire Biscuits
If you are a fan of sweet treats, then empire biscuits should definitely be on your baking bucket list. These delightful biscuits have a buttery texture and a rich, sweet jam filling that make them the perfect indulgence for any occasion.
To make empire biscuits, you will need the following ingredients:
– 250g unsalted butter
– 125g caster sugar
– 1 egg yolk
– 375g plain flour
– A pinch of salt
– Your favorite jam
Now, let’s get started:
1. Preheat your oven to 180°C and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the egg yolk and mix well.
4. Gradually add the flour and salt to the mixture, stirring until it forms a smooth dough.
5. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to a thickness of about 1cm.
6. Use a round cookie cutter to cut out the biscuits and transfer them to the prepared baking tray.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
8. Allow the biscuits to cool completely on a wire rack.
9. Once the biscuits have cooled, spread a layer of your favorite jam onto the bottom half of each biscuit.
10. Sandwich the biscuits together, with the jam in the middle.
11. Dust the tops of the biscuits with icing sugar to finish.
And there you have it – your very own homemade empire biscuits! These delicious treats are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth or for serving to guests with a cup of tea. Enjoy!
Gather All the Ingredients
To make delicious empire biscuits, you’ll need the following ingredients:
For the biscuits:
- 250g plain flour
- 125g unsalted butter
- 50g caster sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1-2 tablespoons milk (if needed)
For the icing:
- 200g icing sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons water
- 1-2 drops of vanilla extract
- Food coloring (optional)
Tip: Make sure all the ingredients are at room temperature before starting.
Now that you have gathered all the ingredients, let’s move on to the next step!
Prepare the Biscuit Dough
Before starting to make empire biscuits, gather all the ingredients you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 250g (2 cups) plain flour
- 125g (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 50g (1/4 cup) sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Raspberry jam
- Icing sugar, for dusting
To begin, preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the plain flour, softened unsalted butter, and sugar. Mix the ingredients together until they resemble breadcrumbs.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the egg and vanilla extract. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients gradually and mix until a dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it gently until it comes together smoothly. Then, roll it out to a thickness of approximately 1/4 inch.
Using a round biscuit cutter, cut out the dough into equal-sized circles and place them onto the prepared baking sheet.
Bake the biscuits in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown. Once baked, remove them from the oven and leave them to cool completely on a wire rack.
Once the biscuits have cooled, it’s time to assemble the empire biscuits. Pair up the biscuits evenly, and spread raspberry jam over the flat bottom side of one biscuit. Then, sandwich it together with another biscuit.
Finally, dust the assembled empire biscuits with icing sugar to give them a nice finishing touch. Now, your empire biscuits are ready to serve and enjoy!
Bake the Biscuits
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, caster sugar, and salt. Cut the butter into small cubes and add it to the bowl. Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
Add the egg yolk and milk to the bowl and mix until the dough comes together. If the dough is too dry, add a splash more milk.
On a floured surface, roll out the dough until it is about 1cm thick. Use a round cookie cutter to cut out the biscuit rounds and place them on the prepared baking tray.
Bake the biscuits in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Remove them from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
In the meantime, prepare the icing by sifting the icing sugar into a bowl and adding a few drops of water at a time until it forms a thick, but pourable consistency.
Once the biscuits are cool, spread a layer of jam on half of them. Top with the remaining biscuits to make sandwich cookies.
Using a spoon or a piping bag, drizzle the icing over the top of each biscuit. Leave the icing to set before serving.
Enjoy your homemade empire biscuits!
| Total Time: | 30 minutes |
| Servings: | 12 biscuits |
Make the Buttercream Filling
To make the buttercream filling for your empire biscuits, you will need the following ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Butter | 250g |
| Icing sugar | 500g |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
| Milk | 2 tablespoons |
To make the buttercream filling, follow these steps:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter until it is smooth and creamy.
- Add the icing sugar to the bowl and mix it with the butter until well combined.
- Add the vanilla extract to the mixture and continue to beat until smooth.
- If the mixture is too thick, add a tablespoon of milk at a time and beat it until you reach the desired consistency. The buttercream should be creamy and spreadable.
Once your buttercream filling is ready, you can use it to sandwich your empire biscuits together. Place a dollop of buttercream on the bottom biscuit and gently press the top biscuit on it to create a sandwich. Repeat with the remaining biscuits.
Your empire biscuits are now complete with a delicious buttercream filling. Enjoy!
Assemble the Empire Biscuits
Once the biscuits have cooled, it’s time to assemble the empire biscuits. Start by matching up pairs of similarly sized biscuits to create the base and top for each sandwich cookie.
Next, spread a layer of raspberry jam onto the flat side of one of the biscuit halves. You can use a knife or the back of a spoon to evenly distribute the jam.
Now it’s time to make the icing. In a medium bowl, whisk together icing sugar, a few drops of vanilla extract, and enough water to create a thick, spreadable consistency. Mix until smooth and fully combined.
Take the remaining biscuit halves and spread a layer of icing onto the flat side of each one. Try to make it thick enough to ensure a substantial amount of filling.
Gently press the icing-covered biscuits onto the raspberry jam-topped halves. The jam and icing should securely hold the sandwiches together.
Once all the biscuits have been assembled, place them on a wire rack or tray and leave them to set for about 10 minutes. This will allow the jam and icing to firm up and provide a better texture when eaten.
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