15+ Authentic British Cookie Recipes - No Fuss Kitchen (2024)

2 Comments / By Kalyn / August 4, 2020 August 4, 2020

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. In addition, I participate in several other affiliate programs that allow me to earn while I recommend products I love.

From Bourbon biscuits to shortbread, these British cookie recipes are a great way to make your own afternoon tea at home or try out some authentic British classics.

Britain thrives on tradition (and jam), so you’ll find lots of recipes that have been passed down for generations, as well as those that are homemade versions of what you’d be able to buy in the supermarket.

This list also takes you from coast to coast, trying everything from Cornish fairings (from Cornwall in the southwest of England) to shortbread that’s become ubiquitious with the Scots!

Want more awesome cookie recipes, plenty of food photos, and a supportive group of people who are learning how to bake?

Join the Into the Cookie Jar baking community on Facebook by clicking here – see you there!

British Cookie Recipes

These British cookie recipes are straight from UK bakers and will help you have your own afternoon tea right in your house, no matter where in the world you are!

Photo Credit:avirtualvegan.com

Vegan Digestive Biscuits

Digestive Biscuits are one of the most popular cookies in the UK. They are simple and wholesome with a lovely nubbly texture. Just perfect with a cup of tea!

Photo Credit:whatagirleats.com

Classic Shortbread Cookies

Classic shortbread is one of the most delicious and easiest recipes to make. Buttery and soft, classic shortbread will melt in your mouth!

Cousin to the custard cream, Bourbon biscuits don't actually contain any Bourbon, but they are deliciously chocolately and filled with a marvelous buttercream filling!

Two buttery biscuits are sandwiched together with rich raspberry jam, topped with plain icing and a glacé cherry to make the iconic Empire biscuit!

Photo Credit:www.mydiasporakitchen.com

Homemade Walkers Shortbread Cookies

This is the perfect Walkers Shortbread copycat recipe. Requires just 3 ingredients and You won’t believe how easy it is to make it.

Photo Credit:feastgloriousfeast.com

Chewy Ginger Cookies

Chewy Ginger Cookies (Biscuits) are best when chewy and crispy in all the right places, just like these. This easy one bowl recipe with no messy dough to scrape off the counter will ensure you make a double batch next time!

Photo Credit:www.scotchandscones.com

Homemade Shortbread Cookies

Homemade shortbread cookies are so easy to make, and can also be used as a shortbread crust for pies and bars. Just three ingredients to buttery goodness!

Photo Credit:www.carolinescooking.com

Eccles cakes

Eccles cakes may look a bit unassuming on the outside, but that pastry is wonderfully rich and crisp with a sticky, gently spiced fruity filling. These are a British treat you need to try!

These Cornish Fairings are a ginger filled biscuit that have an iconic crackly top and are super easy to make.

This recipe for custard creams biscuits produces a bake that is buttery, crunchy, crumbly and has an authentic taste of custard about it. These biscuits come filled with a rich custard flavoured buttercream. Jam is optional, though highly recommended for a custard creams meets Jammie Dodger experience

Photo Credit:www.littlesugarsnaps.com

Malted Milk Biscuits

Malted Milk Biscuits – but not as you know them. These treats have classic malt biscuit flavours combined with the stability & snap of sugar cookies. They are very versatile.

If you want sensationally chunky, chocolate dipped, gloriously golden, oaty pieces of heaven, this chocolate hobnobs recipe is for you!

Beautiful, buttery soft biscuits sandwiched together with sweet & homely black cherry jam… These gorgeous treats are definitely going to be a big hit!

Shortbread is such an essential part of what it means to be British. This shortbread recipe only has 3 ingredients and no mixer needed!

Want more awesome cookie recipe round-ups? Check these out!

  • 15 Best Cookies with Dark Chocolate
  • 21 Easy Cake Mix Cookies
  • 41 Hearty Cookies with Fruit
  • 17 Best Cookies with Marshmallows
  • 11 Yummy Breakfast Cereal Cookies
  • 15 Fun Cookie Sandwich Recipes
  • 21 Mouth Watering Cookie Bar Recipes
  • 21 Best Cookie Recipes with White Chocolate
  • 15 Incredible Copycat Cookie Recipes
  • 19 Delicious Easter Cookie Recipes
  • 15 Best Healthy Cookie Recipes
  • 11 Harry Potter Cookie Recipes
  • 23 Thanksgiving Cookie Recipes
  • 17 Magical Disney Cookie Recipes
  • 47 Must Try Pumpkin Cookies
  • 9 Festive St. Patrick’s Day Cookies
  • 31 Colorful Cookie Recipes
  • 49 Tasty Cookie Recipes with Cinnamon
  • 7 Under the Sea Cookie Ideas
  • 31 Delicious No Bake Cookie Recipes
  • 28 Gluten Free Cookie Recipes
  • 9 Rainbow Cookie Ideas
  • 33 Spooky Halloween Recipes
15+ Authentic British Cookie Recipes - No Fuss Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

What is the British famous cookie? ›

Aberffraw biscuit is a traditional Welsh shortbread that's believed to be Britain's oldest biscuit. These cookies are made with a simple combination of high-quality butter, flour, and sugar. The rich and sweet shortbread is instantly recognizable due to its visual appearance – it's shaped like a scallop shell.

What's the difference between a British biscuit and a cookie? ›

A British biscuit is what Americans know as a cookie or a cracker. In the United Kingdom, the word biscuit refers to any hard, thin, bread-like product. A distinguishing factor between an American cookie and a British biscuit is that a British biscuit must always have a “snap” because it is crispy.

What are traditional British biscuits? ›

In Britain, what Americans refer to as “biscuits” are known as “scones.” British biscuits are actually what Americans call “cookies.” The term “biscuits” in the United Kingdom typically refers to sweet, crumbly, and sometimes buttery bakes treats, distinct from the soft, bread-like biscuits found in the United States.

What was the queen's Favourite cookie? ›

These Buckingham Palace Shortbread Cookies are rich, tender, and buttery. They were among the late Queen Elizabeth's favorite sweets for her afternoon tea. This recipe is from the Buckingham Palance Pastry Chef, John Higgins.

What is the number one cookie in the world? ›

Oreo is the best-selling cookie in the world. It is now sold in over 100 countries. Oreo was first produced in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company, now known as Na-Bis-Co.

What do Americans call British cookies? ›

Unlike a chewier cookie, biscuits are made with a dough, they can be cut into any shape and their firmer, snappier and flatter constitution provides the perfect blank canvas for icing and decorating. In North America you might know our British biscuits as a cookie or cracker!

What do British people call crackers? ›

In British English, crackers are sometimes called water biscuits, or savoury biscuits.

What are cookies called in the UK? ›

Hard or crisp cookies are called biscuits in the U.K. while the chewier dessert can be identified as a cookie.

What is the number one biscuit in the UK? ›

Chocolate Digestives (69%)

A clear winner in the biscuit world, Chocolate Digestives are a classic that has been a feature in many biscuit tins in the UK and around the world. Leading biscuit brand McVities spearheaded the introduction of the Chocolate Digestive in 1925.

What is the quintessential British biscuit? ›

Oops, wrong
  • Shortbread. It's official: shortbread is the nation's favourite biscuit. ...
  • Jaffa Cakes. Yes, you could go with the shop-bought approach, but we reckon mastering your own Jaffa Cakes is a true show of your culinary skills. ...
  • Gingerbread. The classic gingerbread man always goes down well the little ones. ...
  • Ladyfingers.

What is the oldest biscuit in the UK? ›

Aberffraw biscuits are said to be Britain's oldest biscuit! The Welsh shortbread is pressed with the shape of a scallop shell and are made with high quality ingredients to create a rich, buttery shortbread.

What is a cookie to a British person? ›

A cookie (American English) or biscuit (British English) is a baked snack or dessert that is typically small, flat, and sweet. It usually contains flour, sugar, egg, and some type of oil, fat, or butter. It may include other ingredients such as raisins, oats, chocolate chips, or nuts.

What is the UK's most popular biscuit? ›

It's official: shortbread is the nation's favourite biscuit.

What are British biscuits called in America? ›

Biscuits, along with cornbread and soda bread, are known as “quick bread,” because you use baking soda instead of yeast to make them. Biscuits in the UK are what we Americans call cookies.

Are Biscoff cookies British? ›

How can a small cookie taste so great? The story of Lotus Biscoff starts in 1932 in a local bakery in Lembeke, a Belgian town. The unique recipe was brought to perfection with carefully selected natural ingredients. Today, Lotus Bakeries is still family-owned and based in its home town.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tish Haag

Last Updated:

Views: 6419

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (67 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tish Haag

Birthday: 1999-11-18

Address: 30256 Tara Expressway, Kutchburgh, VT 92892-0078

Phone: +4215847628708

Job: Internal Consulting Engineer

Hobby: Roller skating, Roller skating, Kayaking, Flying, Graffiti, Ghost hunting, scrapbook

Introduction: My name is Tish Haag, I am a excited, delightful, curious, beautiful, agreeable, enchanting, fancy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.