Description
Empire Biscuits are delightful sandwich cookies made from tender buttery biscuits filled with sweet raspberry or strawberry jam, topped with a smooth sugary icing and garnished with colorful sprinkles or glacé cherries. Perfect for teatime or festive occasions, these biscuits combine a soft crumb with a fruity center and a sweet glaze to create a nostalgic treat.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Biscuits
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
For the Filling
- 1/2 cup raspberry or strawberry jam
For the Icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons water or milk (for icing)
For Decoration (Optional)
- Glacé cherries or colorful sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter together with granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth texture for the biscuits.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and pure vanilla extract until the mixture is well combined and creamy.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and baking powder to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms without overmixing to maintain tenderness.
- Roll and Cut Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to approximately 1/4-inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter (2-3 inches) to cut out biscuit shapes evenly.
- Bake Biscuits: Place the cut biscuits on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are just lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Spread about a teaspoon of your chosen raspberry or strawberry jam onto the bottom side of half of the cooled biscuits. Top each with one of the remaining biscuits to create sandwich cookies.
- Prepare Icing: In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of water or milk until the consistency is thick but spreadable, perfect for glazing.
- Ice and Decorate: Spread the icing over the top of each biscuit sandwich. While the icing is still wet, decorate each biscuit with a halved glacé cherry or colorful sprinkles for a festive look.
- Set Icing: Allow the icing to set fully before serving to ensure a clean finish and enhance the cookie’s texture.
Notes
- You can use either water or milk for the icing depending on your preference for richness.
- Ensure biscuits are completely cool before assembling and icing to prevent melting the jam or icing.
- Store Empire Biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to keep them fresh.
- Feel free to substitute jam flavors according to your taste, such as apricot or mixed berry.
- For a firmer icing, add less liquid; for a softer glaze, add a little more.
