Empire Biscuits

These are a must for any christmas cookie tray in my family. A sweet, flavourful sandwich cookie that you can decorate any way you like. I like to use a teeny tiny cookie cutter to make bite-sized cookies, but I believe that they are traditionally made with slightly larger rounds.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Yields: 20-24 small sandwich cookies

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter
• 1⁄2 cup icing sugar
• 1  egg
• 1 1⁄2 cups flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1⁄2 cup  seedless raspberry jam
• 1⁄2 cup icing sugar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon  almond extract, if desired
• 2  teaspoons water, as needed

Directions

1. In large bowl, using hand mixer on medium, cream together butter and 1/2 cup sugar. Add egg and blend thoroughly. Add flour, baking soda and cream of tartar, and mix well.
2. On lightly floured surface, roll out to 1/8-1/4" thick. Cut into desired shapes and place on ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake at preheated 300F oven until lightly golden around edges, about 12-15 minutes.
4. While still hot, sandwich together with jam. Set on rack to cool.
5. In small bowl, mix together 1/2 cup sugar, extract, and enough water to make icing. Ice tops of cooled cookies and decorate as desired.