Monte Carlo Biscuits Recipe:

Classic Australian Biscuits made from Scratch! There is something so wonderfully nostalgic about a Monte Carlo biscuit. That golden, coconut-scented snap, the bright swipe of raspberry jam, and that cloud of sweet vanilla cream — it is Australian afternoon tea in biscuit form!

If you have ever picked up a packet of Monte Carlos at the supermarket and thought, "I wonder if I could make these at home?" — the answer is a very enthusiastic yes. And honestly? Homemade ones are just as good. You get to control the sweetness, pile on as much cream filling as you like, and the whole kitchen smells absolutely amazing while they bake.

This recipe is completely beginner-friendly. You do not need any fancy equipment — just a bowl, a hand mixer (or some elbow grease!), and two baking trays. I walk you through every step in the video below, so be sure to check that out too!

What Are Monte Carlo Biscuits?

Monte Carlo biscuits are an iconic Australian biscuit (cookie) that have been made by Arnott's since 1926. They are a sandwich biscuit — two lightly golden, slightly crispy biscuits with a coconut flavour, joined together with a combination of raspberry jam and a smooth vanilla cream filling.

The name is believed to reference the glamorous Monte Carlo resort in Monaco, giving these humble little biscuits a touch of fancy European flair! They are part of the same beloved Arnott's family as Tim Tams and Iced VoVos, and generations of Australians have grown up dunking them in a cup of tea.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Simple pantry ingredients — nothing unusual to track down
• Beginner-friendly — perfect for first-time biscuit bakers
• Ready in under 40 minutes from start to finish
• Tastes just like — if not better than — the store-bought version!
• Great for lunchboxes, afternoon tea, or gifting
• Kids absolutely love helping to sandwich them together

Finally, homemade recipes can be more environmentally friendly than store-bought or restaurant-prepared food. When you make your own food, you can reduce the amount of packaging and transportation involved, as well as the energy used to produce and transport the ingredients.

✅ Quick Tip: Read through the entire recipe before you start. This helps you understand each step, have everything measured and ready to go, and means nothing gets forgotten mid-bake!

How to Make Monte Carlo Biscuits — Step by Step

Step 1 — Preheat and Prep

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Line two large baking trays with baking paper and set aside.

Step 2 — Make the Biscuit Dough

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and caster sugar together using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed. Beat for about 3–4 minutes until the mixture is pale, fluffy, and creamy — this step is important for the right texture!
2. Add the egg and vanilla essence to the butter mixture and beat again until well combined.
3. Sift in the plain flour and self-raising flour, then add the desiccated coconut. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to mix everything together until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix — stop as soon as it comes together.

✅ Quick Tip: If your dough feels too sticky to roll, pop it in the fridge for 10–15 minutes. Chilling the dough makes it so much easier to handle!

Step 3 — Shape and Bake

1. Roll heaped teaspoonfuls of dough into balls and place them on the prepared baking trays about 4 cm apart (they will spread a little during baking).
2. Gently flatten each ball with a fork, pressing lightly to create the classic ridged pattern on top.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes, or until the biscuits are lightly golden around the edges. Watch them carefully — ovens vary!
4. Remove from the oven and allow the biscuits to cool on the trays for 5 minutes (they firm up as they cool), then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before filling.

Step 4 — Make the Vanilla Cream Filling

1. In a clean bowl, beat the softened butter until pale and fluffy.
2. Gradually add the sifted icing sugar, milk, and vanilla essence and beat on medium-high until the mixture is light, smooth, and creamy — about 2–3 minutes. If it seems too stiff, add a tiny splash more milk. If it seems too loose, add a little more icing sugar.

Step 5 — Fill and Sandwich

1. Pair up your biscuits by size so each sandwich has a good match.
2. Spread the flat side of half the biscuits with a generous teaspoon of raspberry jam.
3. Pipe or spread the vanilla cream onto the flat side of the remaining biscuits.
4. Press the two halves gently together and there you have it — your very own homemade Monte Carlo biscuits!

Give This Recipe a Go!

There is nothing quite like biting into a homemade Monte Carlo biscuit — that satisfying coconut crunch, the little hit of tart raspberry jam, and then the soft sweet vanilla cream. They are one of those recipes that feels a little bit special even though they are genuinely so simple to make.

I hope you enjoy making (and eating!) these as much as I did. If you give this recipe a try, I would absolutely love to hear how they turned out — drop a comment below or tag Creating Dishes when you share your photos!

And do not forget to watch the full step-by-step video on the Creating Dishes YouTube channel — it walks you through every step so you can bake along with confidence. ▶️