If you’re anything like me and adore buttery, melt-in-your-mouth treats, then you’ll absolutely fall head over heels for this Homemade Viennese Whirls with Jam Recipe. These delicate swirly biscuits are just as delightful to make as they are to eat, and once you get the hang of piping them, they’re such a showstopper on any tea table. I love how the buttery dough combines with vanilla buttercream and a hit of fruity jam to create something utterly irresistible—trust me, once you try these, you’ll want to bake them again and again!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Classic Flavor Combo: The buttery biscuits paired with vanilla buttercream and jam create an unforgettable taste experience.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s afternoon tea or a casual gathering, these whirls always impress guests.
- Fun to Make: Piping the swirls is almost like art, and it’s so satisfying to see them come to life in the oven.
- Simple Ingredients: You’ll find everything you need in your pantry, no fancy or hard-to-find items required.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Homemade Viennese Whirls with Jam Recipe uses classic baking staples that work beautifully together. The butter ensures softness and flavor, while corn flour helps keep the texture tender. When shopping, choose good-quality butter and fresh ingredients for the best results.
- Butter or Block Margarine (softened): Using softened (not melted) butter helps achieve that perfect creamy base in your dough and buttercream.
- Icing Sugar (Powdered Sugar): This dissolves smoothly in butter for a luxuriously silky texture.
- Plain Flour: Simple all-purpose flour gives structure without weighing down the delicate biscuit.
- Corn Flour (Corn Starch): The secret weapon for that soft, tender crumb you feel melting in your mouth.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth to the buttercream filling.
- Seedless Jam (Strawberry or Raspberry): Pick your favorite fruit jam—seedless works best to keep the sandwich smooth and fuss-free.
Variations
I’ve played around with this Homemade Viennese Whirls with Jam Recipe over time, and it’s so easy to personalize depending on what you love or have on hand. Feel free to experiment—you might stumble upon your new favorite version!
- Jam Flavors: While raspberry is classic, swapping in strawberry, apricot, or even a tangy blackcurrant jam changes things up deliciously. My family once requested lemon curd instead, and wow, that tangy twist was a total winner.
- Gluten-Free: I’ve had success with a gluten-free plain flour blend—just be gentle when folding to keep your dough tender.
- Chocolate Version: Adding a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the dough or mixing melted chocolate into the buttercream is a dreamy twist I’ve tried for birthdays.
How to Make Homemade Viennese Whirls with Jam Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Mix the Dough
Start by heating your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) and line your baking sheets with greaseproof paper—trust me, this makes cleanup a breeze. Next, cream together the softened butter and icing sugar until it’s light and fluffy; this step really sets the foundation for your textures and flavors. Sift in the plain and corn flour, then fold gently until you get a soft paste-like dough. Don’t overmix or it could toughen the biscuits—fold just until combined.
Step 2: Pipe Those Perfect Swirls
Get your piping bag ready with a large star nozzle—the kind that gives you those signature ridges you see in fancy bakeries. Spoon the dough into the bag (I usually do it in two batches because the dough is thick). Pipe neat swirls, about 3-4cm wide, onto your lined trays. Don’t crowd them because the biscuits spread slightly, and you want to keep those pretty shapes distinct.
Step 3: Bake and Cool
Bake in your preheated oven for 10–12 minutes. Keep a close eye—when they turn pale golden and look dry on top, they’re done. I learned the hard way that overbaking makes them too crisp, so I always set a timer and check early. Let them cool a bit on the tray to firm up before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely; this stops them from breaking. While they cool, whip up the vanilla buttercream and get your jam ready.
Step 4: Make the Buttercream and Assemble
Whip together the softened butter and icing sugar with vanilla extract until it’s light and fluffy. This buttercream is the perfect creamy partner for the buttery biscuits. Spread or pipe a generous dollop on the flat side of one biscuit and top it with a teaspoon of your favorite jam, then sandwich with another biscuit swirl. Repeat until you’ve assembled all your whirls. The first time I made these, I thought “maybe I’m being generous,” but my family went crazy for how much filling I added, so be generous!
Pro Tips for Making Homemade Viennese Whirls with Jam Recipe
- Softened Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is soft but not melted to get that perfect batch of biscuits and buttercream every time.
- Don’t Overfill the Piping Bag: I found it easier to pipe neat swirls in two batches rather than stuffing one bag too full and risking a messy squeeze.
- Keep an Eye on Baking Time: These biscuits bake quickly; removing them at just the right moment keeps them tender and light.
- Jam Choice Matters: I recommend seedless jam because the smooth texture works best when sandwiched without lumps.
How to Serve Homemade Viennese Whirls with Jam Recipe
Garnishes
I love adding a dusting of extra icing sugar on top just before serving—it adds a touch of elegance and a little extra sweetness that pairs nicely. Occasionally, I sprinkle a few freeze-dried raspberry crumbs for a burst of color and tartness, which really makes these look next-level fancy.
Side Dishes
These whirls are perfect on their own, but I often serve them alongside a pot of Earl Grey or English Breakfast tea to elevate the traditional teatime vibe. For a more substantial spread, think scones, finger sandwiches, and fresh fruit salad for balance.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I arrange them beautifully on a tiered cake stand with edible flowers or sprigs of fresh mint. You can also pipe colorful buttercream and swirl in some edible gold dust for an extra festive touch—I tried this for a holiday gathering, and everyone was asking for the recipe!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover assembled Viennese whirls in an airtight container in the fridge to keep the buttercream fresh. They stay delicious for about 3 days—just bring them to room temperature before serving so the buttercream softens up nicely.
Freezing
If you want to prep ahead, you can freeze the baked biscuits before assembling. Once cooled, freeze them in a single layer on a tray, then transfer to a sealed bag. When ready to use, thaw completely before piping buttercream and adding jam. I’ve found this method locks in freshness without compromising texture.
Reheating
I don’t recommend reheating assembled Viennese whirls because the buttercream can melt, but if you have leftover biscuits, a quick 2-3 minute warm-up in a low oven refreshes them nicely before adding fresh filling.
FAQs
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Can I use margarine instead of butter for this Homemade Viennese Whirls with Jam Recipe?
Yes! Margarine can work fine, especially block margarine designed for baking. Just make sure it’s softened and not too soft or melted to maintain the right dough consistency and achieve that tender, melt-away texture.
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How do I get perfect swirls when piping the biscuits?
Use a large star nozzle and start piping from the center outward in a spiral motion without stopping your squeeze. Gently squeezing the bag with steady pressure helps maintain an even shape. Practice on a spare sheet first if you’re new to piping!
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Can I make these Homemade Viennese Whirls ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bake the biscuits in advance and store them airtight for a couple of days. Better yet, freeze the biscuits before assembling to keep them fresh long term, then add buttercream and jam when you’re ready to serve.
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What’s the best jam to use with Viennese Whirls?
Seedless raspberry or strawberry jam is classic because they provide fruitiness without interfering with the smooth texture of the filling. However, feel free to experiment with your favorite jams depending on your taste preferences.
Final Thoughts
This Homemade Viennese Whirls with Jam Recipe has become a favorite in my kitchen because it’s straightforward, wonderfully indulgent, and always brings a smile to my family’s faces. I love how these biscuits feel both elegant and comforting, perfect whether you’re making a simple afternoon treat or celebrate a special moment. Give these a try—you’ll enjoy the baking process as much as the tasting, and soon this recipe will feel like a classic you come back to again and again.
Print
Homemade Viennese Whirls with Jam Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 10 Viennese Whirls (20 biscuits)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Description
Classic homemade Viennese Whirls are delicate, buttery biscuits piped into elegant swirls and sandwiched together with smooth vanilla buttercream and sweet seedless raspberry or strawberry jam. These melt-in-the-mouth treats are perfect for afternoon tea or a delightful snack pairing wonderfully with a cup of tea or coffee.
Ingredients
Biscuits
- 200 g Butter or Block Margarine (softened)
- 50 g Icing Sugar (Powdered Sugar)
- 200 g Plain Flour
- 2 tbsp Corn Flour (Corn Starch)
Filling
- 75 g Butter or Block Margarine (softened)
- 150 g Icing Sugar (Powdered Sugar)
- 1/4 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 10 tsp Seedless Jam (strawberry or raspberry)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan-assisted, Gas Mark 4, or 350°F). Line baking sheets with greaseproof paper and set aside.
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, cream together 200 g softened butter or margarine and 50 g icing sugar until light and fluffy. Sift in 200 g plain flour and 2 tbsp corn flour, then gently fold these into the mixture until fully combined to form a soft, paste-like dough.
- Prepare Piping Bag: Fit a large star nozzle to your piping bag. Spoon the dough into the bag, working in batches if needed based on capacity.
- Pipe the Biscuits: Pipe the dough onto the prepared baking sheets into swirly circles about 3-4 cm in diameter, leaving plenty of space between each swirl to allow for rising and spreading during baking.
- Bake Biscuits: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the biscuits are pale golden and appear dry on top. Keep a close eye to avoid over-baking.
- Cool the Biscuits: Allow the biscuits to cool on the baking sheets until just cool enough to handle, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
- Prepare the Filling: Cream together 75 g softened butter and 150 g icing sugar with 1/4 tsp vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy.
- Assemble the Whirls: Take one biscuit and spread a small amount of buttercream on its flat side, then add a teaspoon of seedless jam on top. Sandwich with another biscuit, cream side down, gently pressing together.
Notes
- Use softened butter or margarine to achieve a creamy texture for both dough and filling.
- Be careful not to over-bake the biscuits; they should be pale golden and dry to the touch.
- Seedless raspberry or strawberry jam works best to avoid lumps in the filling.
- For best results, pipe all biscuits of similar size for even baking.
- Store assembled Viennese Whirls in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Viennese Whirl (2 biscuits with filling, approx. 30g)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 25 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
