Reginelle Cookies

Reginelle cookies, also known as Regina cookies, are classic Italian cookies that can be found in nearly every Italian bakery in the New York metro area.  They’re loaded with sesame seeds and their crunchy biscuit-like texture makes them the perfect accompaniment to coffee or espresso.  These cookies are perfect for holiday cookie platters, but are good enough to make all year long!

 

Regina cookies, also known as reginelle or biscotti di sesamo, have a special place in my heart.  

These were and still are my dad’s favorite cookies and every time I eat one I’m reminded that sometimes the simplest things in life are the best.

There’s nothing flashy about reginelle – no bright colors or sprinkles – but that’s what makes them stand out. 

The wonderful flavor from the toasty sesame seeds pairs perfectly with the crunchy texture and hint of lemon zest. 

These cookies are perfect with a cup of coffee, or espresso, and are a welcome addition to any holiday cookie platter.

How to make it

Each number corresponds to the numbered written steps below.

1. In a large bowl combine 2 cups (240g) of all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup (100g) of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt and mix until combined.  Using a pastry cutter, or your hands, mix in 1/2 cup (113g) of cubed, room-temperature butter, and mix until a coarse meal is formed.

2. Add 2 teaspoons of lemon zest and mix until evenly distributed.
3. Add 1 large beaten room-temperature egg and mix with a fork until a dough is formed.  The dough will be crumbly. 

4. Using your hands, shape the dough into a ball.  If the dough is too dry, add a tablespoon of milk to help bring it together.  
5. Once the dough ball is formed, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes.

6. Remove the dough and allow it to rest for 10 minutes at room temperature.  While the dough is resting, preheat the oven to 350f, line two baking sheets with parchment paper, spread 1 cup (142g) of raw sesame seeds onto a plate, and pour 1/4 cup (57g) of milk into a shallow bowl. Cut the dough ball into 4 equal pieces and using your hands, roll and shape each piece into a 1/2-inch thick rope.
7. Cut the rope into 2-inch long pieces (I used the last two digits of my finger as a rough measurement). 

8. Lightly dip each piece into the milk, and then into the sesame seeds until coated on all sides.
9. Place the reginelle cookies onto the prepared lined baking sheets and bake for 30 minutes.

10. After 30 minutes, the cookies should be golden and can be removed from the oven.  Allow them to cool completely before serving.  Enjoy!

Top tips for perfect reginelle (biscotti al sesamo)

• The sesame seeds. I used raw, hulled, unsalted sesame seeds for this recipe. The sesame seeds do not need to be toasted ahead of time since they are being baked.
• Room temperature ingredients. For this particular recipe, we recommend using room-temperature butter and egg as it will help the dough to come together more readily.
• The dough. I made the dough by hand but if you have a food processor, you can certainly use that to make the regina cookie dough.  Once the dough has been removed from the fridge and you’re ready to work it, you should be able to use your hands to shape the dough into ropes.  The cookies don’t need to be perfect in size, but I did use the top two segments of my ring finger as a measurement so each cookie was roughly equal in length.  
• Lemon zest. I love the little bit of brightness the lemon zest brings to the reginelle but you can omit that if you prefer.  I’ve seen people add anise extract to the cookies and that would also go nicely with the flavor of these cookies. 

More Italian sweet treats

If you love Italian cookies and treats as much as we do, we think you’ll love these other desserts!

• Pignoli cookies – 4-ingredient cookie that’s soft and chewy on the inside and studded with pignoli on the outside.
• Cannoli – crispy Italian pastry shell filled with cream and topped with chocolate chips, pistachios, or orange peel.
• Almond biscotti – chocolate-dipped biscotti loaded with almonds.
• Lemon ricotta cookies – light and airy lemon-flavored cookies topped with a creamy glaze and sprinkles.

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