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READY IN 20 mins

Empire Biscuits

Read Reviews (28)

"This shortbread cookie is a traditional Scottish recipe. These are round cookies sandwiched with jam and topped off with a delicious icing and a cherry." — Marcie

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Sugar and Sweeteners

Battle of the Butter: Salted vs. Unsalted

Measuring All-Purpose Flour

Original recipe makes 4 dozen Change Servings

2 cups butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 cup raspberry preserves

24 maraschino cherries
8 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup milk

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Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Gradually stir in the flour until well blended. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into rounds using a cookie cutter.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Sandwich one teaspoon of jam between two cookies. Repeat with remaining cookies. In a medium bowl, gradually stir the milk into the confectioners' sugar until the icing is of a spreadable consistency. Spread on top of the sandwiched cookies. Top each cookie with half of a cherry while the icing is still wet.

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PREP 10 mins
COOK 10 mins
READY IN 20 mins

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Nice simple recipe. However, as a native Jock here in the US, the best tip to make these biscuits even more endulgent and melt on the tongue - substitute one cup of flour for one cup of birds custard powder. You will get a richer golden colour, deeper crumble and crunch in the texture, and a toasted baked note to finish. My Gran's traditional recipe from Glasgow. try it and you won't be dissapointed!

—Dante

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Most Helpful Critical Review

Apr 28, 2007

My grandmother, who is Scottish, made these cookies with us when we were little. She did not put cherries on them, but instead cut smaller holes in half of the cookies that were going on top. This isn't quite the same as the traditional empire biscuits we grew up on but very nice none the less.

—MADDEESMOM

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33 Ratings

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Jun 30, 2007

This was a fabulous recipe! I made 96 for an international night at school and they were the first to go. It took a while, but it was worth it. I loved how easy it was to work with the dough. The cookies didn't burn in the oven or break when I spread on the jam. Strawberry jam worked just fine. It was a fairly simple recipe, too. Thanks a bunch!

—swimminash

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Jan 25, 2004

Kids really loved these cookies. Found that they took quite along time to make but well worth the time......

—BETH40

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Jan 25, 2004

These cookies are wonderful! I found the dough to be a little sticky to roll out, but otherwise this was a very easy recipe, and the results are very impressive. I made them to add to a wedding cookie table, and got many compliments on how delicious they were and how pretty they looked.

—JONZEZ4

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Jan 11, 2006

Awsome recipe! exactly right! i advise you get a hand blender - the first time I tried it i used a spoon to mix and had the hardest time getting it to stick together - added water - bad idea, made the cookie a touch heavier than the light amaizing cookie i got with the use of a hand blender. I've used all kinds of filling, different jams, honey, nutella - thanks for this one!

—SANDY GIRL

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Jan 25, 2004

Marcie, thanks for this recipe! I will be using this recipe for Christmas and any occassion.

—CASEYFACE3

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Nov 21, 2004

I was very excited when I found this recipe because I have very fond memories of Christmases past, making myself sick eating dozens of my grandmother's empire biscuits. However, when I made this recipe, I discovered that this recipe makes good sugar cookies, but they are not shortbread. This may be a different version of Empire Biscuits than the one I grew up with, but be warned - they are not shortbread!

—EMILYAMT

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Nutrition

Calories
223 kcal
11%

Carbohydrates
37.7 g
12%

Cholesterol
21 mg
7%

Fat
7.9 g
12%

Fiber
0.3 g
1%

Protein
1.2 g
2%

Sodium
56 mg
2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Empire Biscuits

Serving Size: 1/48 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 48
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 223
Calories from Fat: 71

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 7.9g 12 %
Saturated Fat 4.9g 25 %
Cholesterol 21mg 7 %
Sodium 56mg 2 %
** Potassium 22mg < 1 %
Total Carbohydrates 37.7g 12 %
Dietary Fiber 0.3g 1 %
Protein 1.2g 2 %
** Sugars 28.1g
Vitamin A 5 %
Vitamin C 0 %
Calcium < 1 %
Iron 5 %
** Thiamin 8 %
** Niacin 7 %
** Vitamin B6 < 1 %
** Magnesium 1 %
** Folate 11 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.