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Reginelle cookies coated with sesame seeds arranged in a basket.
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4.75 from 4 votes

Reginelle (Italian Sesame Cookies)

Try these delicious Reginelle Cookies, also known as Italian sesame cookies or Regina Cookies (“Biscotti Regina” in Italian). With their sesame seed coating they are simply irresistible!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Resting Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 45 minutes
Course: Cookies
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 30 cookies
Calories: 141kcal
Author: Svi

Ingredients

For the dough:

  • 3 ½ cups all purpose flour , about 500 grams
  • 1 ½ stick butter , 170 grams softened at room temperature
  • ½ cup sugar , 140 grams - see additional notes
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 lemon (zest only)
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • Pinch salt

For Sesame Coating:

  • 1 cup sesame seeds (lightly toasted) , 150 g
  • Water to help sesame seeds stick to the dough

Instructions

  • In a large bowl combine all ingredients needed for the dough. Mix with your hands or in a standing mixer until all ingredients are combined.
    NOTE: set about ½ cup of flour aside (from the total amount) before making the dough. As the dough comes together add the remaining flour if needed.
  • Transfer the dough to work surface and knead for a couple of minutes until smooth ball forms. If the dough is too stiff and hard to put together add a little water or milk.
  • Wrap in a plastic wrap and let rest in the fridge for 1 hour.
  • Pinch of a nice piece of the dough and roll it out into about ½ inch (1.3 cm) thick rope. Cut each rope into about 2 inch (5 cm) pieces.
    If you want to have cookies more or less of the same size measure each piece you cut with a sample piece of dough.
  • Press cookies with a palm of your hand to slightly flatten them out.
  • Brush each cookie with water and roll in sesame seeds.
    Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
    Alternatively arrange cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and using clean spray bottle spray them with water. Then dip each cookie in sesame seeds and place back on a baking sheet.
    This last method is quicker but either one will work great for the final result that helps sesame seeds stick to the dough.
  • Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and bake for 20-25 minutes until lightly golden brown.
  • Let cool and enjoy!

Notes

Add 2 extra tablespoons of sugar to the dough if you like it extra sweet.

Nutrition

Calories: 141kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 84mg | Potassium: 50mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 158IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 2mg