Empire Biscuits: A Classic Recipe for a Delicious Treat

Empire biscuits are a beloved Scottish confection, known for their simple elegance and delightful buttery flavor. These delightful sandwich biscuits are perfect for afternoon tea, special occasions, or any time you crave a sweet treat. This comprehensive guide will walk you through a foolproof recipe, ensuring your empire biscuits are a resounding success.

Ingredients You'll Need:

This recipe yields approximately 12-15 empire biscuits. Adjust quantities as needed.

For the Biscuits:

• 175g (6oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 175g (6oz) caster sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 350g (12oz) plain flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Pinch of salt

For the Filling:

• 100g (3.5oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 200g (7oz) icing sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons milk
• Raspberry jam (or your preferred jam)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Making the Biscuits:

1. Preheat & Prepare: Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan/350°F/Gas Mark 4). Line two baking sheets with baking paper.
2. Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and caster sugar until light and fluffy. This is best achieved using an electric mixer, but can be done by hand with a little elbow grease.
3. Add Eggs & Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
4. Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough biscuits.
6. Bake: Drop rounded tablespoons of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each biscuit. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
7. Cool: Let the biscuits cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Making the Filling:

1. Cream Butter & Sugar: In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and icing sugar until light and fluffy. Again, an electric mixer is recommended.
2. Add Milk: Gradually add the milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach a smooth, spreadable consistency. You may not need all the milk.
3. Prepare the Jam: If using a chunky jam, gently crush it to make a smoother spread.

Assembling the Empire Biscuits:

1. Spread the Filling: Once the biscuits are completely cool, spread a generous layer of the buttercream onto the flat side of half of the biscuits.
2. Add the Jam: Top the buttercream with a layer of your chosen jam.
3. Sandwich: Carefully top each filled biscuit with a plain biscuit, gently pressing down to create a sandwich.

Tips for Perfect Empire Biscuits:

• Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough biscuits.
• Use good quality butter: The flavor of the butter will significantly impact the taste of the biscuits.
• Chill the dough (optional): Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking will prevent the biscuits from spreading too much.
• Let the biscuits cool completely: This is crucial for preventing the buttercream from melting.
• Get creative with fillings: Experiment with different jams, flavored buttercreams, or even chocolate ganache.

Serving Suggestions:

Empire biscuits are best enjoyed fresh, but they will keep in an airtight container for a few days. Serve them with a cup of tea or coffee for a delightful treat.

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