The Italian Sesame Seed Cookie batter comes together in a snap and is made with simple ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. You’ll cream together butter, granulated sugar, eggs, milk and vanilla (or anise) extract and baking powder. Then you’ll add flour until a soft and pliable dough comes together.
Add vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Turn onto a lightly floured surface, knead 10-12 times or until smooth. Divide dough into 8 portions. Shape each portion into a 24-in. log. Cut logs into 2-in. pieces. Place sesame seeds and milk in separate shallow bowls.
What Are Sesame Cookies? Hailing from Sicily, Italian sesame cookies go by several names: Reginelle, Regina cookies and/or Biscotti della Regina. My version is buttery, slightly soft in the center, and kissed with lemon zest and vanilla extract.
Made with sweet cream butter, toasted sesame seeds and a hint of lemon, these Italian sesame cookies are a classic family favorite. They can be made in advance and kept for several weeks- at room temperature or frozen- in an airtight container. If you know these cookies, you know.