Empire (Belgians) Biscuits

I can always make an iffy cookie-eater a “Belgians believer” with one taste of this recipe.

Mom would make these at Christmas time every year.  Between working full time, keeping the house running fairly smoothly and almost effortlessly (it seemed), keeping us healthy and happy. The 60’s/70’s wife was a well- oiled homemaking machine.

Back to the Empire Biscuit.

I try to set aside a whole morning to bake these and spend that time perfecting the width, depth, shape and bake time to within an inch of that cookies’ life.

Have I mentioned I’m a bit of a perfectionist with my cookies?…….

Ultimately, I have only one chance to get it right.

You look at a plate of assorted cookies. You decide which one is worthy of the calories they contain and you put the morsal into your mouth, bite off a piece and then the real test begins.

Empire biscuits will provide you with a slightly crisp, buttery outer cookie, nestling a sweet, slightly sticky, jam centre and a very sweet milky white icing topping. To finish off the bliss of butter, jam and icing melting together with each chew, eventually, you’ll encounter the glace cherry….sigh.

I also try different shapes for these as well. I’ve made mini ones with little piped holly on top, larger ones with a whole cherry on top, square ones, teardrop ones, crinkled edges ones and triangles. Endless possibilities.

Who would have thought a newspaper article cut out so many years ago would provide such a treat that has been enjoyed so very much year after year.

Get out the rolling pin!