Traditional Scottish Abernethy Biscuits

These simple Abernethy biscuits are a real old fashioned traditional Scottish tea time treat. But of course, something sweet to nibble on can be enjoyed at any time of day with any drink you fancy.

Where does the name Abernethy biscuits come from?

Contrary to popular belief,  Abernethy Biscuits do not take their name from the town in Scotland. In fact they are named after Dr John Abernethy who regularly ate very plain biscuits at his local bakery.

He suggested that they should add sugar and caraway seeds to enhance the biscuits. These biscuits were such a hit with the locals that they took his name from that day forth.

Well, that’s the history lesson out of the way.

Tea and biscuits

Scotland is famed for its love of tea drinking and nibbling on biscuits, scones, and the like alongside it. In fact, Edinburgh was famous for its teashops where the fashionista would gather to chat and enjoy various sweet treats.

The rest of the folks would just bake at home whenever they could afford to do so.

Abernethy biscuits are crisp little cookies that go perfectly with a good cup of tea. They are not too sweet and the caraway seeds add a distinctive flavour.

This recipe for Abernethy biscuits is from my book on Scottish baking

Simply Scottish Cakes & Bakes.

The complete list of ingredients and full instructions for making this recipe can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Ingredients for Abernethy biscuits

Plain flour and baking powder. Caster sugar, milk, unsalted butter, an egg, and caraway seeds.

How to make these cookies

This Abernethy biscuits recipe is super simple and really just a case of sifting your flour and baking soda into a large bowl and rubbing in the butter till you get a breadcrumb-like texture.

Then add the sugar and caraway seeds.

You then want to mix the milk and egg together in a cup and slowly add this to the other ingredients mixing well to form a dough.

Tip it out onto a lightly floured surface to about 1-3mm thickness and cut into rounds using a cookie cutter or a glass.

Place slightly apart on a lined baking sheet and bake for approximately 10-12 minutes till golden on top.

Cool on a wire rack and store in an airtight box or tin.

How long will Abernethy biscuits keep?

These little Scottish cookies will keep in an airtight container for about four days.

You can freeze the dough and bake later of course. A great way to always have Abernethy cookies on hand when someone comes to call.

Looking for more Scottish baking ideas? Then check these out before you go;

Millionaires shortbread

Traditional gingernut/gingersnap biscuits

Super easy Scottish oatcakes

Scottish Black Bun

Traditional Scottish honey buns

Dundee cake

Aberdeen crulla with whisky chocolate dipping sauce

Traditional treacle scones (+ video!)

Scotch pancakes/aka drop scones (+ video!)

Classic Edinburgh gingerbread

Finally, if you do try this recipe don’t forget to leave a comment/star rating below as I just love to hear from readers. Want more Larder Love? Then follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest and sign up for my newsletter too of course.