Description
Empire Biscuits are delightful sandwich cookies consisting of a soft, buttery biscuit base filled with sweet raspberry or strawberry jam, topped with a smooth icing and decorated with glacé cherries or sprinkles. Perfect for tea time or festive occasions, these easy-to-make treats offer a delightful balance of textures and flavors.
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)
- Glacé cherries or colorful sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the 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 together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, ensuring a tender biscuit texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and pure vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined for flavor and structure.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and baking powder to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms, taking care not to overwork it.
- Roll and Cut Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to approximately 1/4-inch thickness. Use a 2-3 inch round cookie cutter to cut out biscuit shapes evenly.
- Bake Biscuits: Place the cut biscuits on the prepared baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove and cool completely on a wire rack.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Spread a teaspoon of raspberry or strawberry jam on the bottom side of half the biscuits. Top each with one of the remaining biscuits to form sandwich cookies.
- Prepare Icing: Mix powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of water or milk until the consistency is thick yet spreadable, perfect for decoration.
- Ice and Decorate: Spread the icing over the top of each sandwich biscuit. While the icing is still wet, decorate with halved glacé cherries or colorful sprinkles for a festive touch.
- Set Icing: Allow the icing to set completely before serving to ensure a neat finish and avoid smudging.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened but not melted for the best creaming results.
- Use chilled dough if it becomes too soft before rolling out to prevent sticking.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute butter and milk with suitable alternatives.
- These biscuits keep well in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Try different fruit jams to customize the flavor according to preference.
