Traditional Empire Biscuit Recipe (2024)

These sweet treats were one of my favorites growing up, and this traditional Empire Biscuit recipe comes straight from my Scottish Nana's handwritten recipe book.

Scottish baking is simple, wholesome and usually pretty sweet, so this delicious two-tiered biscuit is a perfect example.

But although it's been consistently popular in Scotland for decades, the Empire Biscuit didn't actually originate there.

About the Empire Biscuit

Historical facts are a little hazy, but this delicious treat is believed to have originated in central Europe, more accurately in either Austria-Hungary (aka the Austro-Hungarian Empire which existed between 1867 and 1918 before those two countries separated) or Germany.

Prior to WWI it was called the 'German Biscuit' (or the 'Deutsche Biscuit', Deutsche meaning 'German'), and was popular in many European countries including Scotland, Ireland and England.

The story has it that when hostilities broke out in WWI and the UK found itself at war with both the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Germany, rather than stop eating the delicious biscuit, they simply renamed it!

In deference to the British Empire, the patriotic name 'Empire Biscuit' was chosen. Although commonly known by that name in Scotland ever since, this little biscuit is still referred to as the German Biscuit in Ireland, and the Belgian Biscuit in New Zealand!

Traditional Empire Biscuit Recipe (1)

The Linzer Biscuit, an Austrian sweet treat which is extremely similar, is the Empire Biscuit's closest relative.

The main difference is in the top layer, which has a cutout so that you can see the jam below. No icing but just a dusting of confectioners sugar.

The Empire Biscuit dough is often described as 'shortbread', but our family recipe produces a lighter, finer, and smoother biscuit than traditional shortbread.

Once the biscuits are baked and cooled, they're sandwiched together with raspberry jam and topped with water icing (NOT frosting).

If you'd like to decorate them, half a glace/candied cherry is popular. You can also use desiccated coconut or coconut flakes.

Traditional Empire Biscuit Recipe (2)

Ingredients

  • 8 oz all purpose flour
  • 3 oz margarine
  • 3 oz granulated sugar
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 egg
  • Pinch of salt

You'll also need:

  • Jam or jelly to sandwich the biscuits together. Raspberry was traditional in our house, but you can use strawberry or your favorite flavor.
  • Confectioners/powdered sugar and boiling water to make the water icing
  • A piece of candied or glace cherry, or your choice of decoration on top

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350F
  • In a large bowl rub margarine into flour until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs
  • Add cinnamon, baking powder, salt and sugar to flour/margarine and stir to mix
  • Add egg (beaten) and mix to form a stiff dough
  • Roll out dough to approx. 1/8" thickness
  • Cut into rounds* using cookie cutter
  • Bake at 350F for approx. 10 minutes
  • Remove from oven and cool on rack
  • Once biscuits are completely cool spread one with jam and place second biscuit on top
  • In a small bowl, mix 8 oz of confectioner's sugar with 1 tbsp of boiling water and stir until smooth
  • Use a wide knife to top sandwiched biscuits with icing and decorate according to taste

* You can make your Empire Biscuits any size you want to, Nana's were traditionally small biscuits, approx. 1.5 - 1.75" in diameter. In fact, she didn't actually use a cookie cutter, she used a small drinking glass to cut out the biscuits.

If you make a biscuit larger than Nana's you will probably want to adjust the baking time by adding a few minutes.

About Water Icing

We always referred to 'water icing' as just 'icing' but as in the US 'frosting' is the most popular topping for cup cakes and cookies, I want to be clear about what is used here.

Water Icing isn't to be confused with Royal Icing (traditionally used on Christmas and Wedding cakes in the UK) or with Fondant Icing.

Water Icing is the easiest of all three types. All you need is confectioner's sugar and water. Nana used boiling water, and she was the expert, but I've used warm and cold water too. Neither is a problem.

Until you're familiar with this type of icing, getting the consistency right is the trickiest part. You want your icing to be thin enough to spread smoothly, but not so thin as it runs all over the place (and off your cookie or cupcake).

Start with Nana's suggestion and adjust to suit you needs.

If your icing is too thick to spread add a LITTLE more water, literally a few drops makes a difference. If it's too thin add some more confectioners sugar. You'll get there in the end!

I prefer to have my icing on the the thicker end of the scale, and if it won't spread smoothly enough I dip the knife in warm water before applying the icing.

Empire Biscuits should just melt in your mouth, and are deliciously sweet, I can't eat just one!

I hope you enjoy making, and tasting, this traditional Scottish treat.

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Traditional Empire Biscuit Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the original name of the empire biscuits? ›

The Empire biscuit was originally known as the "Linzer biscuit", and later as the "Deutsch biscuit".

What is the secret to biscuits? ›

Use Cold Butter for Biscuits

When the biscuit bakes, the butter will melt, releasing steam and creating pockets of air. This makes the biscuits airy and flaky on the inside.

What sweet is on top of an empire biscuit? ›

Empire biscuits (sometimes known as German biscuits) are lovely little biscuits, filled with delicious jam, and topped with sweet icing & a jelly tot or glacé cherry.

What's the difference between a German biscuit and an empire biscuit? ›

Empire biscuits are irresistible to all ages. Also known as German biscuits or Imperial cookies, they comprise shortbreads sandwiched together with a layer of jam. They are slathered in glossy icing and adorned with a glacé cherry. There's nothing not to love about them.

What is the origin of the empire biscuit? ›

In some places they are called German biscuits but their origin actually lies with the Austrian Empire. These are a family favourite and always near the top of the list when visiting local cafés.

What is the oldest biscuits? ›

Pizzelle, also known as Italian wafer cookies, in The Complete Collection of Biscuit Types are the oldest known biscuits. Pizzelles are the oldest known cookie and originated in the mid-section of Italy.

What type of flour makes the best biscuits? ›

The best flour for making biscuits is White Lily flour. It's not available everywhere, so the next best thing is King Arthur All Purpose flour. White lily, self rising. I use it for everything except those thing I make using either cake flour or yeast.

What is the best flour to use for biscuits? ›

White wheat in general is around 9-12% protein, while the hard reds are 11-15%. As far as brands of flour, White Lily “all-purpose” flour has been my go-to for biscuit making. It's a soft red winter wheat, and the low protein and low gluten content keep biscuits from becoming too dense.

Why put an egg in biscuits? ›

Biscuit recipes tend to be egg-free, this makes them drier and the lack of protein to bind the mix helps achieve that crumbly texture. For super light, crumbly biscuits try grating or pushing the yolks of hard-boiled eggs through a sieve into the biscuit dough.

Who makes Empire biscuits? ›

Established in 1980, Nevis Bakery is an award winning family own food production company within the Scottish Craft bakery industry. Standing on the shores of Loch Linnhe under the shadow of Ben Nevis, the bakery produces a range of high quality cakes and biscuits.

What is the rarest biscuit in the world? ›

The biscuit was preserved by survivors of the sinking in 1912. It was part of a survival kit in one of the Titanic's lifeboats. It is a Spillers and Bakers 'Pilot' biscuit and was wrapped by the survivor in an envelope, which it has remained in ever since.

What is the tastiest biscuit? ›

Check out the list of best stools for the living room below.
  • Cadbury Chocobakes ChocoChip Cookies. ...
  • Cadbury Oreo Vanilla Flavour Crème Sandwich Biscuit. ...
  • UNIBIC Fruit & Nut Cookies. ...
  • Mom's Magic Rich Cashew Almond Cookies. ...
  • Sunfeast Dark Fantasy Choco Fills. ...
  • Sunfeast Farmlite 5 Grain Digestive Biscuit.
Feb 23, 2024

What is the number 1 biscuit in the world? ›

As the world's leading biscuit brand, Parle-G has become more than just a product; it represents cherished memories and a taste that transcends generations.

What is another name for the Empire biscuit? ›

With origins in a German-speaking Central European country, the Empire Biscuit started life in the UK being known by names such as the Deutsch Biscuit or, more commonly, the German Biscuit.

What is the world's largest Empire biscuit? ›

A TEAM of bakers have unveiled the 'world's biggest' empire biscuit. The giant treat, assembled by Carluke jam maker R&W Scott and Clarks the bakers, measures an incredible 36 inches in diameter and weighs 15kg.

What were old fashioned teething biscuits called? ›

A rusk is a hard, dry biscuit or a twice-baked bread. It is sometimes used as a teether for babies.

What is the new name for United biscuits? ›

Pladis Global (styled as pladis) is a British confectionery and snack foods company encompassing United Biscuits, Ülker, Godiva Chocolatier and DeMet's Candy Company.

Which biscuit is named after an Italian revolutionary leader? ›

The Garibaldi biscuit was named after Giuseppe Garibaldi, the famous Italian general, revolutionary and leader of the struggle to unify the Kingdom of Italy, which finally was achieved in 1861.

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