How to Make Jammie Dodgers: A Classic British Treat You Can Easily Make at Home

Few things evoke the simple joy of childhood like a Jammie Dodger. This iconic British biscuit, with its buttery shortbread and sweet jam filling, is a delightful treat that’s surprisingly easy to make at home. Whether you’re a baking pro or just starting out, this recipe will guide you through each step, ensuring perfect Jammie Dodgers every time.

What Makes Jammie Dodgers So Special?

Originating in the UK, Jammie Dodgers are more than just biscuits – they’re a nostalgic reminder of childhood tea parties and packed lunches. The beauty lies in their simplicity: two melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookies sandwiched together with a dollop of sweet jam. The contrast between the buttery biscuit and the fruity filling is simply irresistible.

Gather Your Ingredients

Before we begin, let’s gather our ingredients:

• 225g (1 1/2 cups) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
• 50g (1/2 cup) cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 170g (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 100g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, for a hint of marzipan flavor)
• Seedless raspberry jam, or your favorite jam, for filling

Equip Your Kitchen

You’ll need a few essential tools for this recipe:

• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper
• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer (optional, but helpful)
• Rolling pin
• Round cookie cutter (about 5cm/2 inches in diameter)
• Smaller cookie cutter or piping tip (for cutting out the center of half the biscuits)

Let’s Bake!

Now for the fun part – let’s bake some Jammie Dodgers:

Step 1: Preparing the Dough

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, and salt.
2. In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. You can do this with an electric mixer or by hand.
3. Beat in the egg yolk, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until well combined.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just incorporated. Avoid overmixing the dough.
5. Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This will make the dough firmer and easier to work with.

Step 2: Rolling and Cutting

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll out the chilled dough to a thickness of about 3-4mm (1/8 inch).
3. Using your larger cookie cutter, cut out circles from the dough. Re-roll scraps as needed.
4. For half of the biscuits, use a smaller cookie cutter or a piping tip to cut out a small circle from the center. These will be the top biscuits.

Step 3: Baking Time

1. Carefully transfer the biscuits to your prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between each one.
2. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the biscuits are lightly golden brown.
3. Once baked, remove the biscuits from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheets before filling.

Step 4: Assembling Your Jammie Dodgers

1. Once the biscuits are completely cool, spread a teaspoon of jam onto the flat side of each whole biscuit.
2. Gently top each jam-filled biscuit with a biscuit that has a cut-out center.

Step 5: Time to Indulge!

Your homemade Jammie Dodgers are now ready to be enjoyed! Serve them with a cup of tea or coffee for a truly British experience.

Tips for Jammie Dodger Perfection

• Chilling the Dough: Chilling the dough is crucial for preventing the biscuits from spreading too much during baking.
• Jam Choice: Get creative with your jam fillings! While raspberry is classic, you can use any flavor you like – strawberry, blackberry, apricot, even marmalade!
• Storage: Store your Jammie Dodgers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.