Polydish city guide
Best Empire biscuit in Chicago
“Originally called German biscuits, renamed during WWI. Buttery, jam-filled, and iced.”
What the real thing tastes like
An Empire biscuit (also known as Imperial biscuit, Imperial cookie, German biscuit, Belgian biscuit and iced biscuit) is a sweet biscuit originating in Scotland and popular in the North East of England. It is also popular in Ireland, as well as Canada (particularly iconic in Winnipeg and Hamilton). Empire biscuits were originally known as German biscuits but were renamed during World War I due to anti-German sentiment. Other regional names include Belgian cookies, Imperial biscuits or double biscuits. Empire biscuits are known for their buttery texture, sweet jam filling (although it does not necessarily have to be jam - it can be any other sweet spread such as a ganache), and the extra sweetness from the icing, making them a popular choice in bakeries and for afternoon tea.
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The Empire biscuit is a Scottish creation with a name born of wartime politics—originally called a German biscuit until anti-German sentiment during World War I prompted the rebrand. It's built on three layers of indulgence: buttery biscuit, sweet jam filling (or ganache, or whatever spread calls to you), and a final crown of icing. A fixture of North East England bakeries and afternoon tea tables, it's found its way across the Atlantic too, becoming something of an icon in Canadian cities like Winnipeg and Hamilton.
Order it here when it has
- buttery texture
- sweet jam filling
- popular in bakeries
- iconic across regions
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