# Ottijiet (Maltese Figure-Eight Biscuits) Source: https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/ottijiet/ Crisp Maltese figure-eight biscuits scented with orange, aniseed and cloves, with sesame seeds pressed into the tops. Prep time: 35 minutes (plus 30 minutes chilling) Cook time: 45 minutes Servings: 20 biscuits Tags: dessert, biscuits, sesame, orange, aniseed, baking, traditional, maltese-classic, vegetarian ## Ingredients Measures: **1 tbsp = 15ml; 1 tsp = 5ml.** For local ingredient names and substitutions, see our [guide to Maltese ingredients abroad](/maltese-ingredients-abroad/). - 300g plain flour, plus a little for shaping - 1 1/2 tsp baking powder - 80g caster sugar - 1 1/2 tsp ground aniseed - 1/4 tsp ground cloves - Finely grated zest of 1 orange - Pinch of fine salt - 90g cold butter, cubed - 1 medium egg, beaten - 2 tbsp fresh orange juice - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract - 1-2 tbsp cold water, added only as needed - 50g sesame seeds, for coating ## Instructions 1. **Mix the dough**: Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, aniseed, cloves, orange zest and salt. Rub in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the egg, orange juice and vanilla, then add water a teaspoon at a time until a firm dough comes together. Knead briefly to smooth it, wrap and chill for 30 minutes. 2. **Prepare**: Heat the oven to 180°C (fan 160°C). Line two trays and spread the sesame seeds on a plate. Divide the dough into 20 equal pieces, keeping unused pieces covered. 3. **Shape the eights**: Roll each piece into a rope about 18cm long. Join the ends firmly to form a ring, then twist once and lay it down as a figure eight. Press the crossing point lightly so it holds. Keep both holes open, at least 1cm across, to allow for expansion. 4. **Coat**: Press the upper face gently into the sesame seeds. If the surface is too dry for them to stick, brush very lightly with water first. Place seed-side up on the trays, leaving room between biscuits. 5. **Bake**: Bake one tray at a time for 18-22 minutes, allowing up to 45 minutes of oven use for both trays. The biscuits should be golden underneath and dry at the edges. Leave on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely and crisp up. ## Keep Both Loops Open Roll ropes of even thickness, with slightly tapered ends where they join. A heavy lump at the crossing takes longer to bake than the loops. Press the join gently and open the holes before dipping the top in sesame. If the dough cracks as you roll, let it stand for a few minutes after chilling. If it remains crumbly, work in a few drops of water. Use little flour on the worktop so the ropes grip enough to roll. ## Related to Sesame Rings Ottijiet and Qagħaq tal-Ġulġlien share a Maltese biscuit family, and household names and shapes overlap. This recipe concentrates on the two-loop shape with orange and spice. For round rings, use the [sesame biscuit recipe](/recipes/qaghaq-tal-gulglien/). ## Cooling and Keeping Judge the texture after cooling: a warm biscuit will still feel a little soft. Store completely cold biscuits in an airtight tin for up to a week. Keep them separate from moist cakes and iced sweets so they retain their crispness. Explore other doughs and shapes in [Maltese baking and pastry](/collections/maltese-baking-and-pastry/). ## The figure-eight biscuit Ottijiet take their name from their figure-eight shape. They belong to Malta's family of sesame biscuits, with orange, aniseed and cloves appearing in familiar home versions. These are biscuits for tea or coffee, shaped from a firm dough and cooled until crisp. ## Explore the collections - [Maltese baking and pastry](https://www.malteserecipes.com/collections/maltese-baking-and-pastry/) - [Maltese desserts and sweets](https://www.malteserecipes.com/collections/maltese-desserts-and-sweets/) ## Serve with or cook next - [Qagħaq tal-Ġulġlien (Maltese Sesame Biscuits)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/qaghaq-tal-gulglien/): Make the related Maltese sesame biscuits in ring shapes. - [Biskuttini tar-Raħal (Maltese Village Biscuits)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/biskuttini-tar-rahal/): Try lighter village biscuits with fine lines of icing. - [Kafè Malti (Maltese Spiced Coffee)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/maltese-coffee/): Serve the crisp biscuits beside a small spiced coffee.