Empire Biscuit Recipe: Classic Scottish Double Biscuits - Scottish Scran (2024)

Want to know how to make Empire Biscuits? You’ve come to the right place! These classic sweet treats are made of two pieces of shortbread, sandwiched together with jam in the middle, this is then topped with icing and a glacé cherry or sometimes a gummy sweet.

These delicious biscuits actually go by many names, including but not limited to Imperial Biscuits,Deutsch Biscuits, German Biscuits, Belgian Biscuits (in New Zealand, although these can be a little different too), Linzer Biscuits, Double Biscuits, and even Freedom Biscuits!

Empire Biscuit Recipe: Classic Scottish Double Biscuits - Scottish Scran (1)

You might be able to tell from these names that the Empire Biscuit didn’t exactly originate in Scotland, but it is hugely popular here. So much so that it’s found in most bakeries, supermarkets, and it’s on the Greggs regional menu, like the Scottish Macaroni Pie used to be!

Scroll to the end or use the table of contents below to be taken straight to the Printable Recipe Card.

Table Of Contents

  1. Why are they called Empire Biscuits?
  2. Things you’ll need to make Empire Biscuits
  3. Ingredients for Empire Biscuits
  4. How to make Empire Biscuits – Step by step method
  5. Empire Biscuit Printable Recipe Card
  6. Other Biscuit Recipes to Try

Why are they called Empire Biscuits?

The Empire Biscuit was originally called many of the names above, including the German Biscuit or Deutsch Biscuit, but it’s said that the outbreak of WWI led to a more patriotic name instead, given this was the time of the British Empire.

The name stuck in Scotland, although in other locations it’s still sometimes called a German Biscuit or another variation.

One Scottish Scran Facebook follower even shared that they found them in a local Scottish bakery under the name Freedom Biscuits… a not so subtle nod to Scottish independence maybe?! Either way, they still tasted great apparently!

Empire Biscuit Recipe: Classic Scottish Double Biscuits - Scottish Scran (3)

Things you’ll need to make Empire Biscuits

Ingredients for Empire Biscuits

  • 300g Plain flour (2 cups)
  • 200g Salted Butter ( 1 cup)
  • 100g Caster Sugar (1/2 cup)
  • 1 Large Egg
  • Jar of Raspberry Jam (we like MacKays)
  • 180g Icing Sugar (Confectioners Sugar) (1.5 cups)
  • Glace/Candied Cherries for decorating
Empire Biscuit Recipe: Classic Scottish Double Biscuits - Scottish Scran (4)

How to make Empire Biscuits – Step by step method

This Empire Biscuit recipe is actually pretty easy to make! It just requires a few different stages to get to the finished product.

The biscuit used is usually shortbread, but with the addition of an egg. We used the same recipe and method as our Petticoat Tails Shortbread but cut the dough, using a cookie cutter, into individual pieces to cook.

When making shortbread you always want to try and limit any spread because the biscuits cook in the oven, and this is especially true when making it for Empire Biscuits as you want nice even biscuits.

Empire Biscuit Recipe: Classic Scottish Double Biscuits - Scottish Scran (5)

Making the Shortbread

Preheat the oven to 200 Celcius or 400 Fahrenheit, or 180C/350F for a fan oven.

Start by beating the butter until it is softened and just creamy, but not too fluffed up or airy. Then add the sugar and mix until just combined. You want the sugar to dissolve into the butter so a caster or fine sugar is best.

Next, add the flour along with a beaten egg and mix carefully until the dough begins to form clumps. At this point, you can get your hands into it and bring the dough together.

Tip onto a lightly floured surface and roll the dough out until it’s around 5mm or about a 1/4 inch in thickness.

You can use a cookie cutter like this one, or the rim of a glass to cut the dough into separate biscuits.

Use a spatula or a pastry/dough scraper to move the biscuits onto the baking tray, lined with baking paper or a reusable liner.

If you have time, chill for about 20 minutes in the fridge to help stop spreading.

Bake for approximately 20 minutes. The biscuits will stay soft but will start to brown slightly and that’s when they’re ready.

Take them out of the oven and allow to cool.

Decorating the biscuits

Match the biscuits into pairs. Spread jam over the top of one biscuit to form the base, then press the other biscuit on to the jam gently.Repeat for all the biscuits.

Mix the icing/confectioners sugar with just enough milk or water to form a thick but runny consistency. We start with a couple of tablespoons of liquid and then slowly added more until it was a suitable thickness.

You can either spread the icing with a teaspoon/knife or use a dipping method, holding the biscuit gently by the base and dip the top into the icing.

If you’re using a spoon or knife then start with a small amount in the middle of the biscuit and slowly spread it out, leaving a gap before the edge of the biscuit in case of extra spread.

Otherwise, dip the biscuit top side down into the icing to coat it, allow any excess to drip off, and then quickly flip over and pit back on a tray to allow it to harden. You want to try and avoid the icing running down the sides of the biscuit.

Place half a glace/candied cherry in the centre of the biscuit. Allow the icing to harden and then eat!

Empire Biscuit Recipe: Classic Scottish Double Biscuits - Scottish Scran (7)

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Empire Biscuit Printable Recipe Card

Yield: 12

How to Make Empire Biscuits

Empire Biscuit Recipe: Classic Scottish Double Biscuits - Scottish Scran (8)

Empire Biscuits are a Scottish classic! They may not have been invented here but they are a favourite and have stood the test of time, appearing in bakeries and supermarkets across the country. Now you can use this easy Empire Biscuit recipe to make your own!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Decorating Time 20 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 300g Plain flour (2 cups)
  • 200g Salted Butter ( 1 cup)
  • 100g Caster Sugar (1/2 cup)
  • Large Egg
  • Raspberry Jam (we like MacKays)
  • 180g Icing Sugar (Confectioners Sugar) (1.5 cups)
  • Glace/Candied Cherries for decorating

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 200 Celcius or 400 Fahrenheit, or 180C/350F for a fan oven.
  2. Start by beating the butter until it is softened just creamy, but not too fluffed up or airy. Then add the sugar and mix until just combined. You want the sugar to dissolve into the butter to a caster or fine sugar is best.
  3. Next, add the flour along with a beaten egg and mix carefully until the dough begins to form clumps. At this point, you can get your hands into it and bring the dough together.
  4. Tip onto a lightly floured surface and roll the dough out until it’s around 5mm or about a 1/4 inch in thickness.
  5. You can use a cookie cutter like this one, or the rim of a glass to cut the dough into separate biscuits.
    Use a spatula or a pastry/dough scraper to move the biscuits onto the baking tray, lined with baking paper or a reusable liner.
  6. If you have time, chill for about 20 minutes in the fridge to help stop spreading.
  7. Bake for approximately 20 minutes. The biscuits will stay soft but will start to town slightly and that’s when they’re ready. Take them out of the oven and allow to cool.
  8. Match the biscuits into pairs. Spread jam over the top of the biscuit that will be the base, and press the biscuit for the top gently down onto it.
  9. Mix the icing/confectioners sugar with just enough milk or water to form a thick but runny consistency. We start with a couple of tablespoons and then slowly add more until it’s ready. You can either spread the icing with a teaspoon/knife or use the dipping method. If you’re using a spoon or knife then start with a small amount in the middle of the biscuit and slowly spread it out, leaving a gap before the edge of the biscuit in case of extra spread. Otherwise, dip the biscuit top side down into the icing to coat it, allow any excess to drip off, and then quickly flip over and pit back on a tray to allow it to harden. You want to try and avoid the icing running down the sides of the biscuit.
  10. Place half a glace/candied cherry in the centre of the biscuit. Allow the icing to harden and then eat!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 313Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 51mgSodium: 115mgCarbohydrates: 44gFiber: 1gSugar: 24gProtein: 3g

The nutritional data in this recipe is provided by a third party and these values are automatically calculated and offered for guidance only. Their accuracy is not guaranteed.

Other Biscuit Recipes to Try

  • Classic Abernethy Biscuits Recipe
  • The Most Excellent NYC Mini Egg Cookies Recipe
  • 4 Ingredient Chocolate Bourbon Biscuit Cake Recipe

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Empire Biscuit Recipe: Classic Scottish Double Biscuits - Scottish Scran (9)
Empire Biscuit Recipe: Classic Scottish Double Biscuits - Scottish Scran (2024)

FAQs

What are empire biscuits called now? ›

With the outbreak of the First World War it was rechristened the Empire biscuit in England. The biscuit was also renamed in Scotland and New Zealand to the Belgian biscuit, as a result of the invasion of Belgium. Despite this, in Northern Ireland it remains known as the German biscuit or biscuit bun.

What is a famous Scottish biscuit? ›

Shortbread or shortie is a traditional Scottish biscuit usually made from one part white sugar, two parts butter, and three to four parts plain wheat flour.

What is the sweet on top of an Empire Biscuit called? ›

The most difficult part is getting the right consistency but otherwise it is a very simple way to finish a biscuit! Jelly Tot or Glacé Cherries. The two most iconic toppings for an empire biscuit is a jelly tot gummy sweet, or half a glacé cherry.

What is the secret to an excellent biscuit? ›

The secret to the best biscuits is using very cold butter and baking powder. We've made a lot of biscuits, but this easy biscuits recipe is the one we turn to the most (they are so fluffy!).

What is the rarest biscuit in the world? ›

The Spillers and Bakers Pilot cracker biscuit, found inside a lifeboat survival kit, is the world's most valuable biscuit. It was recovered safely from the Titanic ship which drowned. The biscuit was recovered by James Fenwick who stored it in a waterproof envelope. It was sold to a buyer from Greece.

What is the oldest biscuit brand in the world? ›

Huntley & Palmers is a British company of biscuit makers originally based in Reading, Berkshire. Formed by Joseph Huntley in 1822, the company became one of the world's first global brands (chiefly led by George Palmer who joined in 1841) and ran what was once the world's largest biscuit factory.

What do they call biscuits in Scotland? ›

A Biscuit (U.S.) Is a Scone (U.K.)

Both baked goodies use flour, fat, liquid and a leavening agent. The main differences are that scones tend to have less butter (because you'll add butter to it when you eating it — or else, clotted cream or jam) while American biscuits tend to have more butter and light layers.

What is Scotland's Favourite biscuit? ›

Up in Scotland, the Empire biscuit was voted as the region's favourite, also cropping up in Northern Ireland's top 10. However, it fared less well in England and Wales, failing to make the top 10 cut. Empire's top spot in Scotland is perhaps surprising, because shortbread originated in this neck of the woods.

What is Scotland's national biscuit? ›

Shortbread is a traditional Scottish biscuit that is usually made using sugar, butter and flour. The biscuit gets its name from its crumbly texture and is generally associated with Scotland, but it is now made in the rest of the UK, with similar biscuits being found in Denmark, Ireland and Sweden.

What does joob joob mean in Scotland? ›

Everlastin' joob-joob

A slang term for an idiot.

What is a double biscuit? ›

You've come to the right place; we have the perfect recipe for you! These classic sweet treats are made of two pieces of shortbread sandwiched together with jam in the middle. They are then topped with icing and a glacé cherry or sometimes a gummy sweet.

What is the German brand of biscuits? ›

The Leibniz-Keks or Choco Leibniz is a German-Polish brand of biscuit or cookie produced by the Bahlsen food company since 1891. It was created by the firm as a rival to a similar French biscuit, the Petit-Beurre.

What not to do when making biscuits? ›

So before you get ready to bake up you next batch, here are five mistakes you'll want to steer clear of.
  1. Starting with room-temperature ingredients. ...
  2. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer. ...
  3. Re-rolling the dough too many times. ...
  4. Taking biscuit-making way too seriously.

Should you chill biscuit dough before baking? ›

But if you chill your pan of biscuits in the fridge before baking, not only will the gluten relax (yielding more tender biscuits), the butter will harden up. And the longer it takes the butter to melt as the biscuits bake, the more chance they have to rise high and maintain their shape. So, chill... and chill.

What does egg do to biscuits? ›

Across all temperatures, the biscuits made with the egg were decidedly taller (and, in my view, more beautiful). They were less fragile, with a doughier moistness that the all-butter biscuits were missing.

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. It was formed in January 2016 as a subsidiary of Yıldız Holding with its headquarters in London, England.

What were ships biscuits called? ›

'Hard tack' was, however, the most well-known term for the ship's biscuit.

What do the British call Southern biscuits? ›

A Biscuit (U.S.) Is a Scone (U.K.)

A British biscuit is not remotely similar to the fluffy and filling American biscuits made famous in Southern American cuisine. The closest British equivalent to those buttery miracles is a scone, which ain't too bad either.

What are the new digestive biscuits? ›

McVitie's to release new chocolate Digestives

It combines McVitie's Gold Bar with the brand's classic Digestives. The new biscuit is described as an "irresistible innovation" and will feature a golden caramel flavour mixed with a sweet and salty Digestive biscuit.

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