If you’ve ever walked past a Scottish bakery, chances are you’ve spotted a tray of empire biscuits sitting proudly in the window. These jam-filled, iced, and cherry-topped cookies are simple but incredibly delicious. Today, I’ll share my easy empire biscuits recipe so you can make them at home—and trust me, they taste just as good as the ones from your favourite bakery.
What Are Empire Biscuits?
Empire biscuits are soft, buttery shortbread-style cookies that are sandwiched together with jam, topped with a layer of sweet icing, and finished with half a glace cherry. They’re sometimes called empire biscuit cookies, and every Scottish bakery has its own version. While some people use jelly sweets instead of cherries, the traditional look never fails to bring back childhood memories of enjoying a fresh biscuit with a cup of tea.
If you want to experience the best empire biscuits, making them at home is the way to go. Not only do you get that melt-in-your-mouth texture, but you also control the quality of ingredients.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything required to make about 12 finished empire biscuit cookies (that’s 24 single biscuits sandwiched together):
- 200g (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 100 g (½ cup) sugar
- 1 large egg
- 300g (2 ½ cups) plain flour (all-purpose flour)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder.
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
For the filling & topping:
- 150g raspberry or strawberry jam
- 200g (1 ½ cups) powdered sugar (icing sugar)
- 2–3 tablespoons water
- Glace cherries (halved) or jelly sweets
Step-by-Step Empire Biscuits Recipe
Step 1: Make the Dough
Cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt, then fold this into the butter mixture until a dough forms.
Step 2: Roll & Cut
Lightly flour your work surface and roll the dough out to about ¼ inch thick. Use a round cookie cutter to cut out biscuits, then place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Step 3: Bake the Biscuits
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until just turning golden at the edges. Don’t overbake—empire biscuits should stay pale and tender. Allow them to cool completely.
Step 4: Assemble & Decorate
Spread a teaspoon of jam onto one biscuit, then sandwich it with another. For the icing, mix powdered sugar with a little water until smooth, then spread a spoonful on top of each biscuit. Finally, decorate with half a glace cherry or your favourite sweet.
And just like that, you have homemade empire biscuit cookies that look just like the ones from the bakery!
Tips for Perfect Bakery-Style Empire Biscuits
- Chill the dough before rolling if it’s too soft.
- Use raspberry jam for the classic flavour found in traditional bakery empire biscuits.
- Keep the bake light—the cookies should be soft and crumbly, not browned.
- Decorate creatively—use sprinkles or colourful sweets if making them with kids.
Fun Variations
- Chocolate Empire Biscuits – Dip the tops in melted chocolate instead of icing.
- Holiday Empire Biscuits – Use green and red decorations for Christmas or pastel icing for Easter.
- Nutty Empire Biscuits – Mix a little almond extract or ground almonds into the dough for extra flavour.
How to Store Empire Biscuit Cookies
Store your empire biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want to make them ahead, you can freeze the biscuits (without jam and icing) for up to a month, then assemble them fresh when needed.
Why You’ll Love This Empire Biscuits Recipe
- Simple ingredients you probably already have at home.
- Easy enough for beginner bakers.
- A nostalgic treat that feels just like the best empire biscuits from a Scottish bakery.
- Perfect for tea time, lunchboxes, or sharing with family and friends.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so comforting about a fresh empire biscuit. Whether you grew up eating them from your local bakery or you’re discovering them for the first time, this empire biscuits recipe brings the tradition straight to your kitchen. With buttery shortbread, sweet jam, and that iconic cherry topping, these empire biscuits are the perfect combination of simple and special.
Bake a batch, share them with your loved ones, and enjoy one with a hot cup of tea—you’ll quickly see why people call them the best empire biscuits ever.
