If you saw Disney’s Brave movie then I’m sure you remember how eager Merida’s triplet brothers were to get their hands on these pastries. While watching the movie, I thought to myself “I don’t know what those are but I definitely want to make them”. So I came home and did some research. I found out they are Scottish cookies called “Empire Biscuits”.
Now, I’ll be honest, after reading the recipe I expected them to be brittle tasteless cookies filled with a tart jam. But I was wrong on so many levels. The cookie part was firm on the outside but moist on the inside and the raspberry preserves are quite sweet. The bit of frosting adds a delicate touch of sugar and then we top it all off with a cherry. Perfection. These cookies are not only easy to make but absolutely delicious. They would make a great addition to any Brave-themed birthday party or even a Wonderland tea party. And my sons liked them so much they came up with a great idea: they suggested they replace Pop-Tarts and Toaster Strudels at breakfast. (I think they are better than both of those because they don’t have any preservatives.) Now what kid wouldn’t want to start off their day like Merida?
Disney’s Brave Empire Biscuits
*makes 9 fully assembled cookie sandwiches
Cookie Dough Ingredients:
1 stick of butter, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cookie Dough Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer. Add in baking powder and flour. Mix well. Next, add in the egg and vanilla. Mix on medium-high until sides of bowl are clean and dough begins to form a ball. Remove dough and knead by hand. Form into a ball and place in plastic wrap. Cover and set in fridge to chill 30 minutes.
Remove chilled dough and place on flour-dusted surface. Roll out to 1/8-inch thickness. Using a shot glass or round cookie cutter, cut into 1 1/2-inch diameter circles. You should have 18 circles. Place them on a parchment-lined cookie sheet 1 inch apart. Bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from oven and let cool on cooling racks. Now move on to the icing.
Icing Ingredients:
1 cup confectioner’s (powdered) sugar
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1-2 tablespoons hot water
Icing Directions:
Place all ingredients into a small bowl and mix well with a spoon, adding hot water as needed until you have a thin, gravy-like consistency. Set aside.
Other Ingredients Needed:
raspberry preserves
maraschino cherries, roughly chopped into quarters Assembly Directions:
Take one of the cooled cookies and place bottom up on a plate. Top with a tablespoon of the raspberry preserves. Now, set a second cookie on top and gently press down, creating a sandwich. Spoon a dollop of icing on top and spread with the back of the spoon. Finish off with a bit of chopped cherry. Ta-da! That’s it, you’re done! Wasn’t that easy? Now take a bite. Yum, right?
