Queen Cookies (Italian Queen Sesame Seed Cookies)

Queen Cookies are a classic Italian cookie coated in sesame seeds. Originating in Sicily, they are incredibly easy to make while being absolutely delicious with a buttery and sweet taste. They can be enjoyed as a snack or for dessert along with a cup of coffee, tea, or dessert wine.

To make these queen cookies, first milk is mixed with baking powder before being mixed with flour, sugar, butter, and eggs until combined. Then, the dough needs to be chilled until firm before rolling it out. Then, the dough gets rolled out and cut into strips before being coated in sesame seeds and cut into bars. Once baked, the sesame seeds become light golden and have a toasted flavor.

What are Queen Cookies?

Queen cookies are Sicilian cookies that are made with a buttery dough and are coated in sesame seeds. They are commonly served for special occasions in Italy along with coffee, tea, or dessert wine.

Often, queen cookies may be infused with vanilla, almond extract, or lemon or orange zest for added flavor. However, this queen cookie recipe relies strictly on the taste of nutty toasted sesame seeds, which makes them so delicious.

While some queen cookie recipes call for making classic circular cookies, this recipe has a more sophisticated look as the dough is rolled out and cut into bars. The resulting cookies are buttery and nutty, and perfect for adding to any cookie tray.

Pro Tips

• For optimal results, weigh all of the ingredients to ensure the amounts are accurate rather than relying on measuring spoons and measuring cups.
• The butter should be softened to ensure that it incorporates into the dough easily.
• The dough should be chilled for an hour to ensure that it is easy to roll out. If you leave it in the fridge for longer than that, it may firm up and be difficult to work with. In this case, let it warm up slightly at room temperature before rolling it out.
• Use a measuring tape to ensure the cookies are cut into equal sizes.
• Don’t over bake the cookies! You will know they are ready when they are golden on the bottoms and around the edges.
• Feel free to add different flavors to the cookie dough such as lemon zest, orange zest, vanilla extract, or almond extract.

What to Serve with Queen Cookies?

Queen cookies can be served with coffee or tea. They are also wonderful with dessert wine if you are looking for an extra treat.

What Can I Do if the Sesame Seeds Aren’t Sticking?

If you find that the sesame seeds aren’t sticking to your cookies, you could brush them with some water to give the seeds something to adhere to.

How Can I Correct Crumbly Dough?

If you find that your cookie dough is crumbly and isn’t coming together, you can try kneading it a few times with your hands to see if the dough comes together in a smooth ball. The crumbly texture may also be due to a measuring error and you may find you need to add extra milk to help the dough come together.

Can I Add Other Flavors to Queen Cookies?

Yes, you definitely could! If you would like your cookies to have more flavor, you could add vanilla extract, almond extract, or citrus zest to the cookie dough.

How to Store Queen Cookies

Queen cookies will keep beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. However, for longer storage, you could also place them in the freezer where they will keep for several months.

How to Make Queen Cookies

Step 1

Step 1

Mix the milk with the baking powder in a small bowl. Add the flour and sugar, and mix until combined.

Mix the milk with the baking powder in a small bowl. Add the flour and sugar, and mix until combined.

Step 2

Step 2

Mix in the butter one cube at a time. Mix in the eggs. Store the dough in the fridge for 60 minutes.

Mix in the butter one cube at a time. Mix in the eggs. Store the dough in the fridge for 60 minutes.

Step 3

Step 3

Roll the dough out and cut it into strips.

Roll the dough out and cut it into strips.

Step 4

Step 4

Roll the strips in sesame seeds. Cut the strips into 6 cm bars.

Roll the strips in sesame seeds. Cut the strips into 6 cm bars.

Step 5

Step 5

Place the cookies on a baking tray and bake them in a 190 C (375 F) oven for 30 minutes.

Place the cookies on a baking tray and bake them in a 190 C (375 F) oven for 30 minutes.

Step 6

Step 6

Once cooled, serve them on a platter.

Once cooled, serve them on a platter.