Italian Cookies Recipes

Sesame seeds are often used in Italian Cookies Recipes. The smell of them baking fills the kitchen with an exotic aroma found only in better Italian bake shops. A hint of anise compliments the old world origins of these cookies.

You my be surprised at the shape of these cookies - the dough is rolled out into short logs, rolled in the sesame seeds, then flattened and cut in half.

The "sesame sticks" can be stored in an airtight container for 5 days, and freeze well if tightly wrapped in plastic and foil to keep out the moisture.

Sesame Seed Italian Cookies Recipes

4 cups all purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup whole milk
1 1/2 cups unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon anise extract
1/2 cup white sesame seeds

Whisk together the flour and granulated sugar. Cut in the butter with a pastry cutter or your hands. The dough should resemble coarse meal.

Add the anise extract to the milk, and gradually incorporate the milk into the dough. With each addition of milk, the dough should start to come together. Squeeze a handful of dough - if it sticks together, it's ready. Let it rest in the refrigerator, covered, for about 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350F.

Pull out small pieces of the dough and roll it between the palms of your hands to form little logs, about as long as a finger. Roll them in the sesame seeds, then lightly flatten them. Cut each log in half and place each piece on an ungreased baking sheet.

Bake the cookies in the hot oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Remove them to wire racks to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container.

Good To Know - Anise is a fairly strong flavoring. Go easy with it at first until you know if it suits you or not. It is not absolutely essential to this recipe, and you may want to substitute vanilla or almond extract.

On Your Own - To make these cookies in the more traditional manner, use solid shortening, such as Crisco, in place of the unsalted butter.

You Might Need:

• Kitchen Supply Aluminum Half Size Sheet Pan 18-inch by 13-inch

• Calphalon 12-by-17-Inch Rectangular Nonstick Cooling Rack

• Silpat 11-5/8-by-16-1/2-Inch Nonstick Silicone Baking Mat

• Oxo Good Grips Cookie Scoop