Biscotti Regina

* Recipe adapted from Sopranos family cookbook

Ingredients:

1/2 cup milk

2 cups unhulled sesame seeds

4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

3 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 pound ( 2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into pieces and softened

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp grated orange zest

Recipe:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour two large baking sheets.

Pour the milk into a shallow bowl. Spread the sesame seeds on a piece of wax paper. Set aside.

In the large bowl of an electric mixer, stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. On low speed, beat in the butter a little at a time.

In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, vanilla, and orange zest. Stir the egg mixture into the dry ingredients until well blended.

Pinch off a piece of dough the size of a golf ball and shape it into a log of 2 1/2 inches long and 3/4 inch thick.

Dip the log in the milk, then roll it in the sesame seeds. Place on a prepared baking sheet and flatten slightly. Continue wit the remaining dough, placing the cookies about 1 inch apart.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until well browned. Let cook on the baking sheets for 10 minutes, then transfer the cookies to a rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

bon appetito.