Regina (Queen's Biscuits)

By patticakes

This is a cookie that we bought from “Modern Bakery” in the North End, when my mom’s cousins worked there. It’s not too sweet, nice texture, but not hard, great for dipping in wine (red) or coffee. Use fresh sesame seeds – the taste is very dominant.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1 cup shortening
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3/4 cup sesame seeds

Details

Servings 4

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350° degrees. Grease cookie sheet.
Sift together flour, baking powder, salt and cardamom in a large bowl.
Cream the butter and sugar, add vanilla, then add eggs, one at a time. Stir in milk one tablespoon at a time, mixing after each addition. It will look curdled but don’t worry about it.
Mix in dry ingredients. Then chill dough for at least 15 minutes. Roll the dough into a long rope, about ¾ inch in diameter. Cut into 2 inch pieces. Dip in milk, then roll in sesame seeds. Place on cookie sheet an inch apart. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden.