Homemade Jammie Dodgers

A recipe for homemade Jammie Dodgers, a classic British biscuit featuring sweet fruit jam sandwiched between a pair of buttery shortbread cookies.

What Are Jammie Dodgers?

Jammie Dodgers are a classic British biscuit (cookie, for my US followers!) Along with other stables such as bourbon biscuits, custard creams, pink wafers, party rings, malted milk, and digestive biscuits, you’ll frequently find these jam-filled shortbread sandwiches paired with a cup of black tea.

The classic Jammie Dodger features a pair of round, scalloped-edge shortbread biscuits, one with a heart-shaped cutout in the middle. Sandwiched in between these biscuits? Sweet fruit preserves. You’ll sometimes find seasonal Jammie Dodgers such as apple and blackcurrant, but strawberry and raspberry remain the most traditional fillings.

Ingredients for Making Homemade Jammie Dodger Biscuits

To make these jam-filled sandwich biscuits, start by gathering the following ingredients:

• Unsalted Butter – Softened so it blends smoothly with the sugar, egg, and vanilla.
• Granulated Sugar – Granulated sugar gives the shortbread biscuits their sweetness, and slightly crumbly texture.
• Egg – You’ll need one large egg, at room temperature, to make the biscuit dough.

• Vanilla Bean Paste – Opt for a good-quality vanilla extract from a brand like Nielsen-Massey or Taylor & Colledge.
• All Purpose Flour – You’ll need 256 grams (2 US cups) of all purpose flour, or plain flour if you’re in the UK, plus a little bit extra for dusting the rolling pin and countertop.
• Fruit Jam – You’ll need about 90 grams (1/4 cup) of fruit jam, such as raspberry jam or strawberry jam. For some other filling ideas, see my suggestions below.

Notes on Biscuit Cutters

I used the “Jammie Dodger” cutter from my trusty set of British biscuit cutters. If you don’t own this set, I highly recommend purchasing it. (It’s available on Amazon, in both the US and UK). In addition to Jammie Dodgers, you can use these cutters to make bourbon biscuits, custard creams, and party rings, too!

If you don’t have special cutters, you can use a basic 2-inch round metal cutter or a 2-inch round scalloped edge cutter instead.  Cut the dough into discs, then use a 1/2-inch round cutter to cut a hole in the middle of each one.

For the centers, you can use a 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch heart cutter from a separate set, or substitute another shape like flowers or stars. A small bottle cap (like the cap from a bottle of vanilla extract) will also work in lieu of a mini cutter.

Jammie Dodger Cookie Variations

Strawberry or raspberry are the most classic, but feel free to use any kind of jam you’d like. You can fill your biscuits with apricot or blueberry jam, or try a seasonal theme like cranberry or fig preserves. The biscuits also pair nicely with lime or lemon curd. (Curd-filled biscuits should be stored in the refrigerator.) Or, skip the jam and fill your sandwich biscuits with chocolate ganache or Nutella instead.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

To make cutting easier, dip the biscuit cutter in flour periodically. If using the Jammie Dodger cutter I’ve suggested above, you’ll need to press down very firmly and keep the dough very cold for the squiggly pattern to transfer to the dough.

Bake one tray of biscuits at a time. I suggest baking the tops (the discs with the heart cutouts) and bottoms (solid discs) in separate batches, as bake times may vary slightly.

Keep a chopstick or wooden skewer nearby. It’s helpful for pushing the dough through the small cutter.

Make-Ahead and Storage Suggestions

You can make the biscuit dough up to 24 hours in advance. Flatten it into a disc, wrap in clingfilm/plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to use. Allow chilled dough to sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes, or until soft enough to roll.

To freeze: Layer filled or unfilled biscuits between sheets of parchment and freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.

To store: Store Jammie Dodgers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Other British biscuit recipes you might enjoy:

Party Rings
Bourbon Biscuits

And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!

Print