This Easy Empire Biscuits Recipe will show you how to make this delicious sandwich cookie topped with homemade frosting. They are so much fun to make that the whole family will enjoy creating these sweet treats.
One of my favorite memories from childhood is helping my mom make empire biscuits. She would make the cookie dough and let us kids help cut out the circles before baking. We always used the rim of a small drinking glass to make the circles instead of a cookie-cutter. It was a lot of fun for us kids to see the empire cookies get sucked up by the cup then shot back down so easily onto the baking sheet. This led me to always use the rim of a drinking glass when making this empire biscuit recipe, I hardly ever use a cookie cutter.
When my daughter was little, I continued the tradition of making empire biscuits and taught her how to make this recipe using a glass to cut out the shapes instead of a cookie-cutter. If you have a small glass, you should give this method a try, it really makes this empire biscuit recipe fun to make.
What is an Empire Biscuit?
An empire biscuit is typically made up of two shortbread cookies sandwiched together with a layer of jelly in between, topped with white frosting and a cherry.
Empire biscuits originated in Europe and there are many variations of this recipe depending on which area the recipe comes from. There are many different ways to prepare Empire Biscuits but this easy recipe will give you a delicious treat that you can customize to fit your favorite flavor.
Personally, I enjoy making empire biscuits with grape jelly but traditionally raspberry jelly is used most commonly.
What You Will Need to Make Empire Biscuits
To make these empire biscuits you will need all-purpose flour, sugar, butter, and vanilla. You don’t actually need the vanilla to make empire biscuits. When my mom made these empire biscuits when I was a kid, she never added vanilla but I like the extra flavor it gives to these cookies so I use it. My favorite kind of vanilla to use is Spanish vanilla, it really has a delicious and bold flavor that seems to enhance every recipe I have used it in.
For the Icing, you will need butter, salt, powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream, and vanilla.
For the topping, you will need maraschino cherries and jelly. I like to use grape but you can use any kind of jelly that you like. A popular jelly to use on empire biscuits is raspberry, so if you want a more authentic cookie, give this one a try.
How To Make Empire Biscuits
In a large bowl, cream together the sugar and butter until well combined. This is easiest when using an electric mixer. Gradually stir in the flour a little bit at a time. Mix everything until well blended together.
When working with the dough, if it is too sticky, add a little bit of flour. Another tip that can help with really sticky dough is to coat your hands with flour to make it easier to work with.
On a floured work surface, begin to roll out the dough to about 1/4 of an inch thickness. Cut each cookie into a circle using a cookie cutter or the rim of a small glass.
If you use the glass method, you will see what I am talking about with the cookie popping right out onto the baking sheet with little effort. If you are anything like me, you will appreciate this no-touch process. I have been known to completely ruin the shape of my cookies when handling them.
This is true even for the short trip from the cookie cutter to the baking sheet. My finished product is anything but pin-worthy despite being a food blogger. So I really appreciate a tip like this for handling the cookies as little as possible.
Be sure to put a layer of parchment paper down before placing your cookies onto a baking sheet.
Bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for about 8-10 minutes. Allow cookies to cool for about 5-10 minutes.
How to Make Icing for Empire Biscuits
Make the icing while waiting. Mix the butter and sugar together along with the cream, vanilla, and salt. Mix until the icing reaches a fluffy and spreadable consistency.
This can be done with a mixer or the old-fashioned way if you would prefer.
Once the icing is made, set it aside and wait to frost the cookies until they have cooled for at least five minutes.
Once the cookies have cooled, add a layer of jelly to each cookie and sandwich them together. Spread a layer of the icing on top of the cookies and top with a maraschino cherry.
I hope you have enjoyed learning how my family makes empire biscuits. Does your family enjoy a special recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation? I would love to hear all about it, please leave me a comment below, I am excited to connect.
Are you looking for more deliciously easy cookie recipes? Learn how to make Oatmeal cookies from leftover instant oatmeal packets.
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Empire Biscuits
Ingredients
- 3 cups of All-Purpose Flour
- 1 cup of Sugar
- 2 and a 1/2 Sticks of Butter
- 1 tablespoon of Vanilla
- For the Icing:
- 1 cup of Butter
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 3 cups of Powdered Sugar
- 3 Tablespoons of Heavy Whipping Cream
- 1 Tablespoon of Vanilla
- For the topping:
- maraschino cherries
- jelly
Instructions
In a large bowl, cream together the sugar and butter until well combined. This is easiest when using an electric mixer.
Gradually stir in the flour a little bit at a time. Mix until well blended together.
On a floured work surface, begin to roll out the dough to about 1/4 of an inch thickness. Cut each cookie into a circle using a cookie cutter or the rim of a small glass.
Bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for about 8-10 minutes.
Allow cookies to cool for about 5-10 minutes. Make the icing while waiting. Mix the butter and sugar together along with the cream, vanilla, and salt. Mix until the icing reaches a fluffy and spreadable consistency.
Add a layer of jelly to each cookie and sandwich them together. Spread a layer of the icing on top of the cookies and top with a maraschino cherry.
About the Author
The Hobby Wife
Greenhouse and backyard gardener, devoted homemaker, and passionate recipe creator. My journey through life revolves around my unwavering love for food and travel. As a passionate cook, I blend my garden's bounty with culinary finesse and inspiration from my travels. From farm-to-table homestyle dishes to copycat recipes that offer something unique, my kitchen is a canvas where flavors harmonize and ingredients tell stories.
