Homemade Iced Gems Recipe (Fun & Nostalgic Biscuits)

✨ Iced Gems

Tiny, colourful, and delightfully nostalgic—these homemade Iced Gems are a treat for all ages.

Iced Gems are a classic British biscuit, known for their crisp base and vibrant, piped royal icing tops. Whether you’re reminiscing about childhood or introducing them to a new generation, this recipe brings a touch of fun to your baking.

Begin by preparing a batch of vanilla cookie dough. I originally made these cookies mainly for special occasions, but they have turned into a delightful treat for almost any time, simply because they taste fantastic whether decorated or plain. They are crisp, sugary, and full of vanilla flavor, which is exactly what a vanilla cookie should be. The dough has the ideal consistency for rolling and cutting, and the batch size is very manageable (24 cookies). Keep in mind that iced gems are small, so this recipe will produce a large number of these charming little treats!

Ingredients:

For the Biscuits:

• 350g (2¾ cups) plain flour

• 100g (¾ cup) self-raising flour

• 125g (⅝ cup) granulated sugar

• 125g (½ cup + 1 tbsp) salted butter, softened and diced

• 125g (¼ cup + 1 tbsp) golden syrup

• 1 large egg, lightly beaten

• 1 tsp good quality vanilla extract

For the Royal Icing:

• 2 large egg whites

• ½ tsp cream of tartar

• 350g (2¾ cups) icing sugar, sifted

• Gel food colouring, assorted colours

To Make:

Prepare the biscuit dough: In a large bowl, combine the plain flour, self-raising flour, and granulated sugar. Add the softened butter and rub it into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.

Add wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix together the golden syrup, beaten egg, and vanilla extract. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until a dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour; if it’s too dry, add a splash of milk.

Chill the dough: Wrap the dough in cling film and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This makes it easier to handle and helps prevent spreading during baking.

Shape and bake the biscuits: Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F) and line baking trays with parchment paper. Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 5mm thickness. Use a small, fluted round cutter (approximately 2cm diameter) to cut out the biscuits. Place them on the prepared trays, spacing them slightly apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack.

Prepare the royal icing: In a clean, grease-free bowl, whisk the egg whites with the cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add the sifted icing sugar, continuing to whisk until stiff peaks form and the icing is thick and glossy. Divide the icing into separate bowls and tint each with your chosen gel food colouring.

Decorate the biscuits: Transfer each coloured icing into a piping bag fitted with a small star nozzle. Pipe a small swirl of icing onto the centre of each cooled biscuit. Allow the icing to set at room temperature for several hours, or until firm to the touch.

Enjoy :)

Tips & Variations

• Flavour twist: Add a few drops of almond or lemon extract to the biscuit dough for a different flavour profile.

  
  

• Icing alternatives: If you prefer not to use raw egg whites, consider using pasteurised egg whites or a royal icing mix.

  
  

• Storage: Store the finished Iced Gems in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the biscuit dough ahead of time?

Yes, the dough can be prepared and chilled up to 2 days in advance.

Can I freeze the baked biscuits?

The undecorated biscuits can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before decorating.

How can I achieve vibrant icing colours?

Use gel food colouring, as it provides intense colour without altering the consistency of the icing.

Why You’ll Love These Iced Gems

• Nostalgic treat: Brings back fond memories with every bite.

• Customisable: Choose your favourite colours and flavours.

• Fun to make: A great baking project for all ages.

Craving More?

If you enjoyed making these Iced Gems, you might also like:

• Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies

• Banana Chocolate Cake