How to Make Delicious Bourbon Biscuits at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide

Few things beat the simple pleasure of biting into a crisp, buttery bourbon biscuit. These British classics, with their signature chocolate cream filling sandwiched between two rectangular biscuits, are the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea or a quick snack break.

Making your own bourbon biscuits at home is easier than you think. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, ensuring a batch of perfectly baked biscuits that are sure to impress. So, put on your apron, and let’s get baking!

Baking the Perfect Bourbon Biscuit: Ingredients and Equipment

Ingredients You’ll Need:

For the Biscuits:

• 225g plain flour
• 50g cornflour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 125g unsalted butter, softened
• 100g caster sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2 tbsp milk

For the Chocolate Cream Filling:

• 100g unsalted butter, softened
• 150g icing sugar
• 25g cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1-2 tbsp milk

Essential Baking Tools:

• Two large mixing bowls
• Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer)
• Sieve
• Rolling pin
• Biscuit cutters (around 5cm in diameter)
• Baking sheets
• Wire rack

Crafting Your Homemade Bourbon Biscuits: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Preparing the Biscuit Dough

1. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cornflour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures a light and airy texture for your biscuits.

2. In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and caster sugar until light and fluffy. This is best done with an electric mixer, but you can also use a wooden spoon if needed.

3. Beat in the egg yolk until well combined, followed by the milk.

4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a smooth dough forms. Avoid overmixing, as this can lead to tough biscuits.

5. Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in cling film, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This will help the dough firm up and make it easier to roll out.

Step 2: Rolling, Cutting, and Baking the Biscuits

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan/350°F/Gas Mark 4). Line your baking sheets with baking parchment.

2. Lightly dust a clean work surface with flour. Roll out the chilled dough to a thickness of about 5mm.

3. Using your biscuit cutters, cut out as many biscuits as possible. Carefully transfer them to your prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between each biscuit.

4. Gather any leftover dough, re-roll, and cut out more biscuits until all the dough has been used.

5. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown and firm to the touch.

6. Remove from the oven and allow the biscuits to cool completely on a wire rack before filling.

Step 3: Creating the Chocolate Cream Filling

1. While the biscuits are cooling, prepare the chocolate cream filling.

2. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until light and creamy.

3. Gradually add the icing sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract, beating until smooth and well combined.

4. Add the milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the filling reaches a spreadable consistency.

Step 4: Assembling Your Bourbon Biscuits

1. Once the biscuits are completely cool, pair them up in size.

2. Spread a generous amount of the chocolate cream filling onto the flat side of one biscuit in each pair.

3. Gently sandwich the biscuits together, pressing lightly to ensure the filling is evenly distributed.

Tips for Perfect Bourbon Biscuits:

• For extra flavor, try adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract or a pinch of sea salt to your biscuit dough.

• If your dough feels too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until it becomes manageable.

• To ensure even baking, space your biscuits evenly on the baking sheet and rotate the tray halfway through baking.

• The chocolate cream filling can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

FAQs About Making Bourbon Biscuits

Q: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

A: Yes, but you may want to reduce the amount of salt added to the biscuit dough to 1/4 teaspoon to avoid the biscuits being too salty.

Q: What can I use as a substitute for cornflour?

A: While cornflour contributes to the signature crumbly texture of bourbon biscuits, you can substitute it with an equal amount of potato starch or arrowroot powder.

Q: How long do homemade bourbon biscuits last?

A: Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, homemade bourbon biscuits can last for up to 3-4 days.

Enjoy Your Homemade Bourbon Biscuits!

There you have it! Now you can impress your friends and family with your very own homemade bourbon biscuits. These little treats are perfect for sharing with loved ones or enjoying as a sweet pick-me-up any time of day.

Expert Tip: “For a fun twist on the classic, try dipping half of each assembled biscuit in melted chocolate and allowing it to set before serving. This adds a touch of elegance and an extra layer of chocolatey goodness.” – Mary Smith, Pastry Chef and Food Blogger

Don’t be afraid to get creative in the kitchen and experiment with different flavors and decorations. Happy baking!