🇮🇹 Italian · Dessert
🍪 Biscotti Regina
Biscotti 'Nzuddi
Simple Sicilian butter cookies rolled generously in sesame seeds before baking, resulting in a nutty, crunchy coating around a tender, buttery interior.
55 minTotal time
20 minPrep
20 minCook
24Servings
110Calories
EasyDifficulty
Sesame seeds arrived in Sicily through Arab trade centuries ago and remain deeply woven into the island's baking, nowhere more simply than in these unassuming cookies, whose crackling sesame coating is really the whole point.
Ingredients
Equipment: Mixing bowl, Baking sheet
- 400 g (3 cups) 00 flour
- 150 g (¾ cup) granulated sugar
- 150 g (⅔ cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Pinch of salt
- 80 ml (⅓ cup) milk
- 150 g (1 cup) sesame seeds
Method
- Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the lemon zest.
- Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt, then fold into the butter mixture along with the milk, forming a soft dough.
- Rest the dough, covered, for 15 minutes.
- Divide into small pieces and roll each into a short log about 6cm long.
- Roll each log in sesame seeds, pressing gently so they adhere all over.
- Arrange on a lined baking sheet and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 18–20 minutes until lightly golden.
- Cool completely on a wire rack before serving.
Chef Tips
- Roll the dough logs firmly in the sesame seeds so they coat evenly and don't fall off during baking.
- Don't overbake — these should stay a pale golden rather than deeply browned.
- These keep exceptionally well, making them a good make-ahead cookie for gifting or entertaining.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skimping on the sesame coating, missing the nutty crunch that defines the cookie.
- Overbaking, which dries the cookies out excessively.
- Not letting the dough rest, making it harder to shape into neat logs.
Nutrition (per serving)
110Calories
3gProtein
12gCarbs
6gFat
1gFiber
20mgSodium
Health Benefits
- Sesame seeds provide healthy fats, calcium, and fiber.
Cultural Note
Biscotti regina are a staple of Sicilian bakeries, their generous sesame coating a direct legacy of the island's historic Arab trade connections.
Storage & Serving
Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Reheating: Not applicable.
Serve with: Espresso, A glass of sweet Marsala