Want a proper Bourbon biscuits recipe? I’ve got the best one for you right below! Sorry, there’s no liquor in this classic British biscuit, but it won’t matter because you’ll fall in love these chocolate cookies anyway.
If you go to the UK, there’s a good chance that you’ll cross paths with the classic British Bourbon biscuit.
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What are Bourbon Biscuits?
Along with Digestives, custard creams, and shortbread, Bourbon creams are some of the most popular biscuits which are frequently enjoyed across the pond. Despite their name, there is no alcohol involved. Bourbon biscuits are simply chocolate sandwich biscuits with a chocolate cream filling.
Like their custard cream cousin, this Bourbon Biscuit recipe requires custard powder to give them their unique flavor. This is not just another chocolate biscuit.
For Christmas last year, my daughter gifted me with something she knew I had wanted, these biscuit cutters! They include Bourbon biscuits, Party Rings, Jammy Dodgers and Custard Creams cutters!
This will explain how I was able to make the Bourbon biscuits look like a store-bought biscuit. No worries if you don’t have them, though; you can just cut the chocolate biscuit dough into fingers and use a fork to prick them. If you use this Bourbon biscuit recipe, they will taste the same with or without the cutters. You can purchase the biscuit cutters here.
NB: according to Wikipedia, these biscuits are called Bourbon biscuits after the European house of Bourbon (nothing to do with the liquor). They also note that Bourbons are apparently the 5th most popular biscuit in the UK for tea dunking!
Classic Bourbon Biscuit Recipe
recipe slightly adapted from Lofty Peak Recipe Book makes about 18 sandwich biscuits
FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
Sift flour, custard powder and good quality cocoa into a large bowl.
Cream butter and sugar, then stir in the egg. Next, add the sifted ingredients from the other bowl and mix to an even dough.
Put the dough onto worktop and using flour, roll out to about 1/8″ thickness and cut into fingers.
Then, place on lined baking tray.
Bake for about 12 to 15 minutes, turning half way through baking time to assure even results.
Finally, place on cooling rack and let cool before filling them.
Bourbon Biscuit Cream Filling
recipe by Christina Conte
Mix all the ingredients together to form a stiff buttercream. Adjust with a few drops of liquid; just don’t make the filling too soft.
Next, match up two biscuits at a time (they won’t all be exactly the same size, believe it or not) and sandwich together with the filling.
Continue until all the biscuits and filling are used. Finally, enjoy with a steaming hot, cup of tea!
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More classic English recipes can be found here.
Homemade Bourbon Biscuit Recipe
A classic British chocolate biscuit.
Ingredients
Biscuit Dough
- 1 1/3 cup (6 oz) all purpose (plain) flour
- 1/2 cup (2 oz) custard powder (Bird’s Custard Powder-available on Amazon and in British shops)
- 1/4 cup (1 oz) unsweetened cocoa (I use Barry cocoa)
- 1 stick (4 oz) butter
- 1/2 cup (4 oz)Baker's/caster sugar
- 1 egg
Filling
- 1 cup (4 oz) confectioner's/powdered sugar
- 1/4 stick (1 oz) butter
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa
- a few drops of milk or water
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Sift flour, custard powder and cocoa into a large bowl.
- Cream butter and sugar, then stir in the egg. Add the sifted ingredients from the other bowl and mix to an even dough.
- Place onto worktop and using flour, roll out to about 1/8" thickness and cut into fingers.
- Place on lined baking tray.
- Bake for about 12 to 15 minutes, turning half way through baking time to assure even results.
- Place on cooling rack and let cool before filling them.
Bourbon Biscuit Cream Filling
- Mix all the ingredients together to form a stiff buttercream. Adjust with a few drops of liquid; just don't make the filling too soft.
- Match up two biscuits at a time (they won't all be exactly the same size, believe it or not) and sandwich together with the filling.
- Continue until all the biscuits and filling are used. Enjoy with a steaming hot, cup of tea!
Notes
- If you love Bourbon biscuits, try custard creams, too!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 9 Serving Size: 2Amount Per Serving: Calories: 290Total Fat: 13gCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 1g
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I adore bourbon biscuits but I have never thought of making them at home. Thanks for the recipe!! Can’t wait to try it :-)
Ooh yes, you’ll love them!
Ok fair enough, this makes you an official biscuit black belt, they look fantastic! Love that stamp, superb!
Haha! I have to say, I like the sound of being a “biscuit black belt”! Too funny! Thank you, Brian!
I have to say, I have never tried a Bourbon biscuit! That sound similar to chocolatey Shortbread. Those cutters are pretty cool. They make them look very professional! I have a set of cookie cutters that you can pull out the letters and personalize.
Those look delicious, and so festive! I’m sure they taste amazing! Perfect for the holidays :)
Yes they are, Liz! I forgot to mention that they stay fresh for a long time! Truly perfect for the holidays!
These look so delicious and will be a unique treat when the American Christmas cookie swaps come along! I’ll make them with vegan butter so they fit my dairy free diet.
Oh yes, absolutely on both counts! Enjoy, Amy!
Holy Cannoli I cannot wait to make these!
Haha! I like these better than cannoli, truth be told! Enjoy, Julie! :)
I have everyone of these ingredients in my kitchen. So I guess I should walk away from the computer and get baking!
I should have brought you a couple to try the other night!
Christina, these look positively divine and so great for gift giving coming up to Christmas. I look forward to making these for ‘trial’ purposes first – you know, for personal quality control testing!
As with all of your recipes, they’ve always been a hit with my family. I’ve lost count how many times I’ve made your perfect donut recipe. Many family members and my kids friends actually expect them whenever they visit. Fancy that! I’m now known as the donut mum!!!!
Hi Anastasia!
I LOVE that you’re the Doughnut Mum! I had to capitalize your “title”! :) I bet that comes in handy for leverage when you want something from a doughnut lover, right?
I’m glad you’re going to do a test batch of Bourbons first, as you never know what could happen and you wouldn’t want to give THOSE away, right? ;) Haha! Yes! They are actually perfect for gifts as they stay fresh for well over a week. The Custard Creams are great for that, too! Happy baking!
Christina