If there’s one bake that always feels like a celebration, it’s Empire Biscuits: dainty, buttery shortbread-style cookies sandwiched with sweet-tart raspberry jam, finished with a glossy white icing and a jaunty cherry on top. This classic Scottish treat is a regular star at tea tables and cake stalls, and once you’ve tried making them at home, you’ll instantly see why. They’re melt-in-the-mouth tender, beautiful to look at, and utterly irresistible with a cup of tea or coffee — pure joy in every bite!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Empire Biscuits come together with just a handful of kitchen staples, but each one plays a special part in building their magical flavor and texture. Don’t skip or skimp — every element counts, from rich butter that forms the base, to that ruby-red raspberry jam and the all-important glacé cherry topping.

Unsalted butter: Gives the biscuits their classic tenderness and a melt-in-the-mouth texture — make sure it’s softened for easy mixing!
Granulated sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance the buttery flavor.
Vanilla extract: Enhances both scent and taste, rounding out the simple dough with a hint of warmth.
All-purpose flour: The structure-building foundation of the biscuits; measure carefully for that perfect crumb.
Salt: Just a touch, to lift and brighten all the flavors.
Seedless raspberry jam: A sweet and tangy filling that’s iconic for Empire Biscuits — no seeds to distract from that smooth sandwich bite.
Powdered sugar: Essential for the smooth, snowy-white icing that tops each biscuit.
Milk: Loosens the icing to the ideal consistency for spreading.
Glacé cherries: Cut in half and placed on top, these add a vibrant, decorative finish and sweet pop.

How to Make Empire Biscuits

Step 1: Prepare and Preheat

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper. This simple prep ensures your biscuits don’t stick and bake evenly every time. It’s the first step toward biscuit perfection!

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with the granulated sugar until light and fluffy — this takes about 2-3 minutes. Creaming really is key, as it infuses air into the mixture, guaranteeing the biscuits will be soft, pale, and delicious.

Step 3: Add Vanilla, Flour, and Salt

Mix in the vanilla extract, then gently work in the flour and salt until a soft, smooth dough forms. It might look crumbly at first, but keep mixing (hands are welcome!), pressing everything together until it just comes together. Avoid overmixing for the most tender result.

Step 4: Roll and Cut the Dough

Dust a clean surface with flour and gently roll out your dough to about ¼ inch thick. Take a 2-inch round cookie cutter and stamp out as many rounds as you can, gathering scraps as needed to use up every last bit. Place rounds on your prepared baking sheets, leaving a little room between them.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, watching for the edges to just barely turn golden (they should stay pale overall). Remove from the oven and let them cool completely on the tray — these delicate gems firm up beautifully as they cool.

Step 6: Assemble the Biscuit Sandwiches

Once cool, flip over half the cookies. Spread each with a generous layer of seedless raspberry jam, then sandwich with the remaining cookies, pressing gently so the jam peeks out at the sides. At this point, you’ll start to see the classic Empire Biscuits shape taking form!

Step 7: Ice and Decorate

Whisk together powdered sugar with just enough milk to create a thick, smooth icing. Carefully spoon or spread icing over the top of each sandwiched biscuit, smoothing to the edges. Top each with half a glacé cherry, right in the center. Let the icing set fully before serving or storing — if you can wait that long!

How to Serve Empire Biscuits

Garnishes

The finishing cherry is a must, but you can also get playful by scattering a few rainbow sprinkles on the still-wet icing for added color and fun, or dusting with a whisper of edible glitter for extra sparkle at parties.

Side Dishes

Empire Biscuits truly shine on a classic afternoon tea platter alongside cucumber sandwiches, scones, and a steaming pot of your favorite tea. They’re dreamy with fresh berries or a tiny bowl of whipped cream, too. And don’t underestimate them with coffee or hot cocoa for a cozy treat!

Creative Ways to Present

Stack them high on a tiered cake stand for a magical centerpiece, or gift them in a ribbon-tied box lined with wax paper for a homemade present that always gets delighted smiles. For kids’ parties, let little bakers add their own icing colors and toppings — empire biscuits are as fun to decorate as they are to eat!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Empire Biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Their texture actually improves overnight as the jam and cookie meld, making them even more delicious the next day!

Freezing

Un-iced, unassembled cookies freeze beautifully for up to 2 months — stack between parchment sheets. Thaw, fill, and decorate as needed. Fully assembled empire biscuits can be frozen as well, but add the icing and cherry fresh for best appearance and texture.

Reheating

No need to reheat empire biscuits (they’re best at room temp), but if you want to refresh them, let them sit out briefly to lose any fridge chill. A few minutes on the counter brings back their ideal crumb and flavor.

FAQs

Are Empire Biscuits the same as Viennese Whirls?

While they share a sandwich-cookie style, Empire Biscuits use a simpler, sturdier shortbread base and signature glace cherry topping, whereas Viennese Whirls are crumbly and piped with buttercream and jam.

Can I use a different flavor of jam inside?

Absolutely! While raspberry jam is traditional and unbeatable for its color and flavor, feel free to experiment with apricot, strawberry, or even a zingy lemon curd for a twist.

My dough is crumbly — how can I fix it?

If your dough won’t hold together, let it rest for a few minutes and gently knead it until smooth. If still too crumbly, add a teaspoon of milk until it just comes together (but try not to overwork for the best texture).

Can I make Empire Biscuits gluten free?

Yes, you can swap in a good quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (with xanthan gum for structure). The dough remains tender, but the biscuits might be a touch more delicate.

Why isn’t my icing setting properly?

If your icing is taking too long to set, it may be a bit thin. Simply add more powdered sugar a tablespoon at a time — you want a thick, spreadable consistency so the icing sits atop the biscuit and sets with a gentle sheen.

Final Thoughts

Empire Biscuits capture a sense of occasion every time you make them, whether you’re sharing them with family, gifting to friends, or sneaking one all to yourself. Don’t let their pretty appearance fool you — they’re entirely doable at home, and so worth the small effort. Give this recipe a try and see how quickly they become a beloved tradition in your kitchen, too!