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Empire biscuits
Jam-sandwiched shortcakes with white icing and a cherry
Empire biscuits sit in the window of every Scottish high-street bakery: two rounds of crisp shortcake stuck together with raspberry jam, topped with white icing and a jelly sweet or half a glacé cherry. They were called Linzer or German biscuits until the First World War. Chef's tip: let the biscuits cool completely before sandwiching, or the jam soaks in and they go soft.
- Total time
- 42 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 12
Ingredients
- 4 ½ oz buttersoft
- 1 ¾ oz caster sugar
- 6 oz plain flour
- 4 tbsp raspberry jam
- 5 ½ oz icing sugar
- 1 ½ tbsp water
- 6 glacé cherrieshalved
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Heat the oven to 350°F (300°F fan) and line two trays. Beat the 4 ½ oz butter and 1 ¾ oz caster sugar, then work in the 6 oz plain flour to a smooth dough.
5 minStep 2: Roll out 4 mm thick and cut 24 rounds with a 6 cm fluted cutter. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until set but still pale. A common mistake is letting them brown.
15 minStep 3: Cool completely on a rack.
20 minStep 4: Spread half the biscuits with 4 tbsp raspberry jam and press the rest on top.
5 minStep 5: Mix the 5 ½ oz icing sugar with the 1 ½ tbsp water to a thick icing and spread over the tops. Press half a 6 glacé cherries on each while wet and leave to set.
10 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 230 kcal
- Protein
- 2 g
- Carbs
- 34 g
- Fat
- 9 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does empire biscuits take?
- About 42 minutes in total: 30 minutes to prepare and 12 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 12 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of butter?
- The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
- What can I use instead of caster sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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