Ingredients with Measurements:
- 225g unsalted butter, softened
- 100g caster sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 275g plain flour
- 2 tbsp poppyseeds
- 1 lemon, zest only
- 150g icing sugar
- 1-2 tbsp lemon juice
Special equipment needed:
- Baking trays
- Electric mixer
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters
Step-by-step instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas mark 4.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and caster sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract.
4. Sift in the flour and add the poppyseeds and lemon zest. Mix until a dough forms.
5. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1cm thickness.
6. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters and place on baking trays lined with baking paper.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes until lightly golden.
8. Allow to cool on the trays for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. To make the icing, mix together the icing sugar and lemon juice until smooth.
10. Drizzle the icing over the cooled biscuits and leave to set.
Time:
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 12-15 minutes
5. Temperature:
180°C/160°C fan/gas mark 4
Serving size:
Makes approximately 20 biscuits
Nutritional information:
Per biscuit:
Calories: 170
Fat: 10g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Protein: 2g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 10g
Substitutions for ingredients:
- Poppyseeds can be substituted with sesame seeds or chia seeds.
- Lemon zest can be substituted with orange zest or lime zest.
Variations:
- Add a teaspoon of ground ginger to the dough for a spicy twist.
- Use lime zest and juice instead of lemon for a different citrus flavor.
- Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the dough for a chocolatey twist.
Tips and tricks:
- Make sure the butter is softened before creaming with the sugar to ensure a smooth dough.
- Don't overwork the dough as this can make the biscuits tough.
- If the dough is too sticky to roll out, chill it in the fridge for 30 minutes before rolling.
- To get a smooth icing, sift the icing sugar before mixing with the lemon juice.
Storage instructions:
Store the biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Reheating instructions:
These biscuits are best served at room temperature and do not need to be reheated.
Presentation ideas:
Arrange the biscuits on a platter or cake stand for a pretty presentation.
Garnishes:
Garnish with extra lemon zest or poppyseeds for a decorative touch.
Pairings:
These biscuits pair well with a cup of tea or coffee.
Suggested side dishes:
These biscuits are a sweet treat and do not require any side dishes.
Troubleshooting advice:
- If the biscuits are too hard, they may have been overcooked. Reduce the cooking time in future batches.
- If the biscuits are too soft, they may not have been cooked for long enough. Increase the cooking time in future batches.
Food safety advice:
Store the biscuits in an airtight container to prevent them from going stale or becoming contaminated.
Food history:
Empire biscuits are a traditional Scottish biscuit that consists of two shortbread biscuits sandwiched together with jam and topped with icing and a cherry.
Flavor profiles:
These biscuits have a buttery shortbread base with a zesty lemon and crunchy poppyseed twist.
Serving suggestions:
Serve these biscuits as a sweet treat with a cup of tea or coffee.
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