Empire biscuit

Empire biscuit
Alternative names Imperial biscuit, double biscuit, German biscuit, Linzer biscuit, Deutsch biscuit, Belgian biscuit
Type Cake
Place of origin United Kingdom
Region or state Scotland
Main ingredients Biscuits, jam in between two biscuits. The top is covered with white water icing, usually decorated with a glace cherry
Cookbook:Empire biscuit  Empire biscuit

An Empire biscuit (Imperial biscuit, Double biscuit, German biscuit, Belgian biscuit or Double Shortbread) is a sweet biscuit popular in the United Kingdom, particularly Scotland, and other Commonwealth countries. It is typically considered a traditional Scottish snack.[1]

History

The biscuit was originally known as the "Linzer Biscuit", and later the "Deutsch Biscuit". With the outbreak of World War I it was renamed to Empire biscuit, except in Northern Ireland where it remains known as the German Biscuit. In Northern Ireland it is commonly found with a jam and coconut topping. It is also known as the "Belgian biscuit", due to being topped in a similar way to a Belgian bun made of pastry or dough.

Ingredients

The typical Empire Biscuit has a layer of jam in between two biscuits, typically Shortbread. The top is covered with white water icing, usually decorated with a glace cherry in the centre, but Jelly Tots are common too. They are derived from the Austrian Linzer Torte.[2] The biscuit is smaller than the Linzer Torte and does not have a cut-out section on the top.

Similar Products

Empire biscuits are similar to Viennese Whirls.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.rampantscotland.com/recipes/blrecipe_empire.htm
  2. ↑ Edmonds Classics Hachette Livre, 2005. pg. 25
  3. ↑ http://www.tomharris.org.uk/2009/04/25/end-of-empire/

External links