ITALIAN SESAME SEED COOKIES/ BISCOTTI REGINA

Step 1

Take a wide pan and add the sesame seeds. Roast the seeds over low heat, stirring all the time till they just begin to pop.

Step 2

Remove the roasted sesame seeds from the pan onto a plate. Allow the seeds to cool.

Step 3

Preheat the oven to 180°C.

Step 4

Line baking trays with parchment paper or grease it lightly with butter.

Step 5

Sift flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl.

Step 6

Add sugar, honey and butter into another mixing bowl.

Step 7

Cream the mixture till it becomes light and fluffy.

Step 8

Add milk and lemon zest and mix till the milk is completely incorporated into the butter sugar mixture.

Step 9

Add the flour mixture. Using you hand make a soft dough.

Step 10

Take about a tablespoon of the cookie dough and roll it into a shape of yoru choice. You can make them round, logs or square.

Step 11

I shaped them into logs about 2 inches in length.

Step 12

Brush the logs very lightly with milk all over.

Step 13

Roll each long in the sesame seeds till they are fully coated.

Step 14

Arrange the cookies in a baking tray, an inch apart.

Step 15

Bake the cookies for 20-25 minutes. I baked them for 20 minutes at 180°C and then lowered the temperature to 150°C for the last five minutes.

Step 16

Remove the baked cookies from the oven.

Step 17

Remove them from the tray and allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack.

Step 18

Store in an airtight contianer or jar.

Step 19

Serve the cookies for dessert or with coffee, tea or milk.