Small-seeded biscotti with toasted sesame and gently crushed anise dispersed through the dough.
Sesame Anise Biscotti
Follow the tray sizes, portions and baking intervals in the instructions below.
Allow about 145 minutes: 30 hands-on, 0 chilling or resting, 70 whole-batch cooking and 45 cooling/setting. Cooling includes tray rest. Follow the method for batch sizes and doneness cues.
Kitchen tools you’ll need
- Kitchen scale and US measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowls, whisk and sturdy spatula
- Two 13 × 18-inch rimmed baking sheets and parchment
- Cutting board, ruler and sharp serrated knife
- Cooling rack
- Mortar and pestle
Small-seeded biscotti with toasted sesame and gently crushed anise dispersed through the dough.
Ingredients
Optional sprinkles are for decoration and are not included in the nutrition estimate. Spice weights are approximate.
Instructions
Prepare the dough
- 1Prepare the doughLightly crush the anise seeds with a mortar and pestle, leaving small visible seed fragments. Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, toasted sesame and crushed anise together. Beat butter with sugar just until smooth, then beat in eggs and vanilla. Fold in the seeded flour mixture until the dough is cohesive. All sesame goes into the dough, not into an exterior coating.
Shape and bake the logs
- 2Shape and bake the logsHeat oven to 350°F (177°C) conventional or 325°F (163°C) fan while preparing the dough. Line two 13 × 18-inch baking sheets with parchment. Divide dough in half and form two logs on one sheet, each 10 inches long, 2 inches wide and about 3/4 inch high, leaving 4 inches between them. Shape with the spatula and clean hands without extra flour. Bake on the middle rack for 25–30 minutes until the tops are set and the centers resist a light press. Keep the second sheet for drying.
Rest and cut
- 3Rest and cutLet logs rest on the sheet for 15 minutes, counted in cooling time. Reduce oven to 300°F (149°C) conventional or 275°F (135°C) fan. Move logs to a board and use a sharp serrated knife with a gentle sawing motion. Cut on a shallow diagonal into 14 slices per log, approximately 5/8 inch thick, counting the end pieces. This makes 28 finished individual cookies.
Dry every slice
- 4Dry every sliceLay 14 slices cut-side down on each lined sheet. Bake one sheet for 10 minutes, turn each slice and bake for 10 more minutes. Repeat with the second sheet; drying both batches takes 40 minutes. Total oven time, including the first bake, is up to 70 minutes. The crumb should feel dry around the edges; the centers continue to firm as they cool.
Cool and finish
- 5Cool and finishCool on a rack for 30 minutes after the final drying batch, then pack in an airtight tin. The 45-minute cooling allowance includes the earlier 15-minute log rest. Cool completely before sealing so trapped steam does not soften the crumb.
Chef’s Science & Pro Tips
Ingredient science
Use culinary anise seeds, not star anise pods.
Technique & texture
Ready-toasted sesame avoids a separate stovetop cooking stage.
Finishing & serving
Crush anise lightly to release aroma while preserving flecks.
Storage and make-ahead
| Method | How long | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Room temperature | Up to 5 days | Keep fully cooled cookies in an airtight tin in a cool, dry place; store separately from soft cookies. |
| Refrigerator | Not recommended for texture | Refrigerator humidity can soften the crisp crumb. Choose a cool pantry or freeze the baked cookies instead. |
| Freezer | Up to 1 month | Freeze only fully baked and cooled cookies in an airtight freezer container with parchment between layers. |
| Thawing | About 1 hour | Thaw in the closed container at room temperature; let condensation settle before opening. |
| Refreshing | Before serving | If uncoated cookies soften, heat at 300°F (149°C) conventional or 275°F (135°C) fan for 5–8 minutes and cool completely. Fruit and chocolate inclusions may remain soft. |
Notes
- Use culinary anise seeds, not star anise pods. Ready-toasted sesame avoids a separate stovetop cooking stage. Crush anise lightly to release aroma while preserving flecks. This home formula has not been kitchen-tested.
Nutrition
Approximate nutrition per serving calculated from ingredient weights divided by 28; required fillings and toppings included, optional decorations excluded. Brands, unused coating and actual serving size affect the estimate.
THE COOKIE INDEXITALIANCHRISTMAS COOKIES
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these sesame-coated reginelle?
No. They are sliced, twice-baked Italian-style biscotti; the sesame is inside the dough.
Can I use anise extract?
Extract has a different strength and no visible seeds. This formula specifies 2 g anise seeds.
Should I roll the logs in more sesame?
No. All 36 g is included inside the dough; an exterior layer would change both quantities and appearance.
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