Empire biscuits, also known as German biscuits, are a popular Scottish dessert consisting of two buttery sugar cookies with jam or cream in the middle, topped with icing and a candy. They were renamed during World War I to inspire patriotism. They can be made with vanilla seeds and filled with either cream or jam.
An empire biscuit is one of many Scottish desserts popular across the UK. Formally known as the German biscuit, the dessert is two biscuits wrapped around a layer of jam or cream that joins the biscuits together to form a solid treat. Traditionally, the cookie has a layer of frosting on the top cookie with a cherry or candy planted in the center. The biscuits are often made in-house, but packaged versions are also sold throughout the UK and parts of Europe. Depending on the area, the empire cookie is also called double cookie or imperial cookie.
The empire biscuit has been a popular snack, especially in Scotland, since at least the early 1900s. Originally known as the Linzer biscuit and then the German biscuit, bakers and manufacturers changed the name of the snack to mimic the biscuit during World War I world. The name change was an attempt to inspire patriotism throughout the UK during the war, similar to the name “Freedom Crisps” used in the US.
Two cookies that are similar to a buttery sugar cookie common in the United States are used for the empire cookie. Typical cookie ingredients include white flour, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Many traditional recipes call for the use of vanilla seeds, which produce a much more pronounced vanilla flavor than plain vanilla extract. The biscuits are round and flat in shape.
For the filling, some bakers use a combination of heavy whipping cream and sugar. This combination produces a thick cream that binds to the cookies and becomes slightly firm after the dessert has cooled. However, many bakers prefer a more traditional jam filling. For the filling, you can use any type of jam, including strawberry, blueberry or raspberry.
A thin layer of frosting — a combination of cornstarch, cream, and sugar — rests on top of the cookies. The icing hardens into a solid shell after the cookie has cooled. Traditionally, a sugar-coated jelly candy is placed on top of the empire cookie to give it some extra decoration and sweetness. When the dessert is made at home, it is often placed on top of a frosted cherry, which is similar to a maraschino or candied cherry.
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