Empire biscuits, also known as double biscuits, are a beloved classic in Scottish baking. These sweet treats are perfect for enjoying during a cozy afternoon tea or as a delightful snack any time of the day. With their buttery shortbread cookies sandwiched together with raspberry jam and topped with icing and a glace cherry, Empire biscuits are a true delight for your taste buds. This recipe will guide you through the steps to create your own batch of these delightful Scottish scran treats.
### Empire Biscuit Recipe Classic Scottish Double Biscuits Scottish Scran
#### Ingredients:
– 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
– 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
– 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup (65g) cornstarch
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 cup (175g) raspberry jam
– 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
– 2-3 tablespoons water
– Glace cherries, for decoration
#### Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed butter and sugar mixture, mixing until a smooth dough forms.
5. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Use a round cookie cutter to cut out individual biscuits.
6. Place the cut-out biscuits onto the prepared baking sheets and bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden brown.
7. Remove the biscuits from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Once the biscuits are cool, spread a generous dollop of raspberry jam on the flat side of half of the biscuits. Top each jam-covered biscuit with another biscuit to form a sandwich.
9. In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar with enough water to create a smooth, pourable icing.
10. Spoon the icing over the top of each sandwiched biscuit, allowing it to drip down the sides. Place a glace cherry in the center of each biscuit to finish the decoration.
Empire biscuits are best enjoyed fresh on the day they are made, alongside a cup of tea or coffee. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. These delightful treats also make lovely gifts for friends and family, so consider sharing the sweetness with your loved ones.
Now that you have this easy-to-follow Empire Biscuit recipe, you can bring a taste of Scotland into your home and impress your guests with these delicious double biscuits. Enjoy the process of baking and indulging in these delightful treats, and feel free to experiment with different flavors of jam or icing to personalize your Empire biscuits to your liking. Happy baking and bon appétit!
