This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
I first made these little Italian Sesame Seed Cookies back in 2006, while on a Vermont Culinary Vacation with my sister and had completely forgotten about them until recently.
Recipe Notes
Easy to make cookies are one of my favorite skinny and delicious sweet treats. Because they’re naturally portion-controlled, they’re perfect when you’re trying to manage your weight.
These crisp, not-too-sweet Italian cookies have a rich and addictive nutty sesame flavor and delicate crunch. In Sicily, such Biscotti di Regina are made with butter and white flour, but this version, with olive oil and part whole-wheat pastry flour, is just as delicious.
How Many Calories and WW Points in these Italian Sesame Seed Cookies?
According to my calculations, each Italian cookie has 73 calories.
To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
3 SmartPoints (Green plan)
3 SmartPoints (Blue plan)
3 SmartPoints (Purple plan)
2 PointsPlus (Old plan)
They’re great as an afternoon treat with coffee, tea or espresso. Enjoy!
If you’ve made these Classic Low Calorie Italian Sesame Cookies, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.
Italian Sesame Seed Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup white, hulled sesame seeds
- 1/2 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup mild extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Position an oven rack in the center and preheat oven to 350F degrees.
- On an ungreased cookie sheet, toast the sesame seeds for about 10 minutes, or until golden.
- Remove cookie sheet from the oven and immediately transfer the sesame seeds to a small plate.
- In a large bowl mix the flours, sugar, baking powder and salt together and then sift to make sure that everything is well blended.
- In another bowl, beat the egg and then add the olive oil and vanilla and beat until well blended.
- Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and stir and then knead by hand to make a smooth dough. (It will be slightly crumbly, but will hold together.)
- Pinch of pieces of dough that are about a tablespoon in volume, and then roll them between your hands into fat little logs that are about 1-1/2 inches long and 3/4-inch thick.
- Roll each log in the sesame seeds, tamping the ends in the seeds to finish them. Lay the cookie logs on the prepared baking sheet (affiliate link) about inch apart.
- Bake in the center of the oven for 30 minutes, until golden.
- Remove from the oven and place the baking sheet (affiliate link) on a rack to cool.
- These cookies will keep well in a tightly closed tin.
Notes
(Must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.) 3 SmartPoints (Green plan) 3 SmartPoints (Blue plan) 3 SmartPoints (Purple plan) 2 PointsPlus (Old plan) These crisp, not-too-sweet Italian cookies have a rich and addictive nutty sesame flavor and delicate crunch. In Sicily, such Biscotti di Regina are made with butter and white flour, but this version, with olive oil and part whole-wheat pastry flour, is just as delicious. This recipe can be easily doubled.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
If you like Italian Sesame Seed Cookies, you might also like:
- Homemade Fig Newton Bars Recipe
So much better than store-bought with just 4 WW Points. - Wheaties Coconut Cookies Recipe
Sweet, crispy, chewy and delicious with 4 WW Points each. - Moist Chewy Low-Fat Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie Bars Recipe
Easy and delicious with 7 WW Points in each square.
These cookies are beautiful! I love sesame, and have quite a large container in my pantry. These are on my list of things to try.
Culinary vacation sounds like a dream come true. Thanks for sharing.
– Julie
Looking at the pictures, I thought they are similar to the roasted sesame brittle we make. The cookies look real good.