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Mary Berry Empire Biscuits

Mary Berry Empire Biscuits
Print Recipe
Print Recipe

Empire biscuits are traditional sandwich biscuits consisting of two plain biscuits joined with jam, then finished with a layer of icing on top. Often associated with Scottish baking, they are known for their neat appearance, buttery crumb, and simple decoration. Mary Berry’s style keeps them refined, not overly sweet, and consistently well-textured.

Ingredients

For the Biscuits

  • Unsalted butter: 175 g, softened

  • Caster sugar: 75 g

  • Plain flour: 225 g

  • Cornflour: 50 g

For the Filling and Topping

  • Raspberry or strawberry jam: about 4 tablespoons

  • Icing sugar: 150 g, sifted

  • Water: 1–2 tablespoons

  • Glacé cherries: halved

Instructions

  • Prepare the oven – Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan) and line baking trays with parchment.

  • Cream butter and sugar – Beat together until pale and smooth.

  • Add dry ingredients – Mix in the plain flour and cornflour to form a soft dough.

  • Roll and cut – Roll the dough out to about 5 mm thick and cut into even rounds.

  • Bake gently – Place on trays and bake for 12–15 minutes until pale golden at the edges.

  • Cool completely – Transfer to a wire rack and allow the biscuits to cool fully.

  • Sandwich with jam – Spread jam on the flat side of half the biscuits and top with the remaining biscuits.

  • Ice the tops – Mix icing sugar with a little water to make a smooth icing and spread over each biscuit.

  • Finish neatly – Place half a cherry on top of each biscuit and allow the icing to set.

Find it online: https://maryberrycooks.co.uk/mary-berry-empire-biscuits/