admin1 Empire German Biscuits are a traditional Scottish bakery favorite made with two buttery, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread biscuits sandwiched together with sweet raspberry jam. Finished with a smooth layer of white icing and a bright red glacé cherry, these beautiful biscuits are perfect for afternoon tea, Christmas baking, or a delicious homemade treat.
Recipe Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Preparation Time | 25 minutes |
| Chilling Time | 30 minutes |
| Baking Time | 12–15 minutes |
| Total Time | 1 hour 10 minutes |
| Servings | 12 biscuits |
| Course | Dessert, Snack |
| Cuisine | Scottish |
| Oven Temperature | 350°F (180°C) |
Ingredients
For the Shortbread Biscuits
- 250 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
- 125 g (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 75 g (â…“ cup) caster sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk, if needed
- A pinch of salt
For the Filling
- 100 g (â…“ cup) raspberry jam
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice, optional
For the Icing
- 150 g (1¼ cups) powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons water
- 6 glacé cherries, halved
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Biscuit Dough
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and caster sugar together until light and creamy.
Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
Gradually add the flour and salt, stirring until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Bring the mixture together into a soft dough.
If the dough feels too dry, add milk one teaspoon at a time until it holds together.
Step 2: Chill the Dough
Shape the dough into a flat disc and wrap it in plastic wrap.
Refrigerate for approximately 30 minutes. Chilling helps the biscuits maintain their shape during baking and makes the dough easier to roll.
Step 3: Roll and Cut the Biscuits
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) or 160°C fan.
Lightly flour your work surface and roll the dough to approximately 4–5 mm thick.
Use a 6–7 cm round biscuit cutter to cut out the biscuits.
Place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving a little space between each biscuit.
Gather any leftover dough, reroll gently, and cut additional biscuits.
Step 4: Bake the Shortbread
Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the biscuits are lightly golden around the edges.
The biscuits should remain fairly pale rather than becoming deeply browned.
Remove them from the oven and allow them to cool on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Allow the biscuits to cool completely before adding the jam.
Step 5: Add the Raspberry Jam Filling
Stir the raspberry jam until smooth.
Turn half of the cooled biscuits upside down and spread approximately 1–2 teaspoons of jam over each one.
Place the remaining biscuits on top and press gently to create sandwich biscuits.
Avoid pressing too firmly, as the delicate shortbread can break.
Step 6: Prepare the Icing
Place the powdered sugar in a bowl.
Add water gradually, stirring until you have a thick but spreadable icing.
The icing should be thick enough to stay on top of the biscuits without running down the sides.
Step 7: Decorate the Empire Biscuits
Spread a small amount of icing over the top of each sandwich biscuit.
Place half a glacé cherry in the center of each biscuit while the icing is still wet.
Allow the icing to set for approximately 30–45 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
Estimated nutrition per biscuit, based on 12 servings.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 235 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 34 g |
| Protein | 2 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Saturated Fat | 6 g |
| Sugar | 19 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sodium | 45 mg |
Nutrition values are estimates and will vary depending on the jam, icing, and ingredients used.
Tips for Perfect Empire German Biscuits
Use Softened Butter
Butter should be soft enough to mix easily but not melted. Melted butter can make the dough greasy and cause the biscuits to spread too much.
Don’t Overwork the Dough
Mix only until the dough comes together. Overworking the dough can develop gluten and make the shortbread less tender.
Keep the Biscuits Uniform
Roll the dough evenly and use the same cutter for every biscuit. This ensures the sandwich biscuits fit together neatly.
Choose Good-Quality Raspberry Jam
Traditional Empire biscuits are usually filled with raspberry jam. A thick jam works best because it won’t run out of the sides.
Let the Biscuits Cool Completely
Adding jam or icing while the biscuits are warm can cause the filling to melt and the icing to slide off.
Delicious Variations
1. Strawberry Empire Biscuits
Replace raspberry jam with strawberry jam for a sweeter, fruity filling.
2. Lemon Empire Biscuits
Add ½ teaspoon lemon zest to the shortbread dough and use lemon juice in the icing for a fresh citrus flavor.
3. Chocolate Empire Biscuits
Dip the finished biscuits halfway into melted chocolate instead of using traditional icing.
4. Festive Empire Biscuits
Use star-shaped cutters and decorate with colorful sprinkles or festive cherries for Christmas baking.
5. Homemade Vanilla Empire Biscuits
Add an extra ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract to the dough for a richer vanilla flavor.
How to Store Empire Biscuits
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 4–5 days in a cool, dry place.
- Refrigerator: Refrigeration is generally unnecessary, but biscuits can be refrigerated for up to a week if your kitchen is warm.
- Freezer: Freeze the unfilled shortbread biscuits for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before adding jam and icing.
For the best texture, allow the icing to set fully before placing the biscuits in a storage container.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are they called Empire German biscuits?
Empire biscuits are a traditional Scottish biscuit that became popular in the United Kingdom. They are sometimes called German biscuits because of their historical association with German-style baking traditions. Their modern Scottish name reflects the popularity of the biscuit in Scotland.
Can I make Empire biscuits without a cherry?
Yes! The glacé cherry is traditional but optional. You can decorate the biscuits with sprinkles, a small piece of dried fruit, or leave them plain.
Can I use store-bought shortbread biscuits?
Yes. Store-bought round shortbread biscuits can be sandwiched with raspberry jam and decorated with icing for a quicker version.
Why did my biscuits become hard?
Overmixing the dough or baking the biscuits for too long can make them hard. Remove them from the oven when the edges are just lightly golden.
Can I prepare Empire biscuits ahead of time?
Absolutely! Bake the shortbread biscuits a day or two in advance. Assemble them with jam and icing closer to serving for the freshest texture.
