Toasted Sesame Cookies Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Bake

by: sarah kieffer | the vanilla bean blog

September10,2020

5

30 Ratings

  • Prep time 25 minutes
  • Cook time 16 minutes
  • Makes about 12 cookies

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Author Notes

In my first book, my chocolate chip cookie recipe had a variation that included toasted sesame oil. I’ve snuck it in again here, but this time around I’ve added white and black sesame seeds as well. Toasted sesame oil also tastes amazing with chocolate, and you can add up to 3 oz [85 g] of bittersweet or semisweet chocolate here if desired (I highly suggest it).

Reprinted from 100 Cookies by Sarah Kieffer with permission by Chronicle Books, 2020.sarah kieffer | the vanilla bean blog

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Watch This Recipe

Toasted SesameCookies

Ingredients
  • 1 3/4 cups(249 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 teaspoonsalt
  • 1/2 teaspoonbaking soda
  • 12 tablespoons(1 1/2 sticks or 170 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup(200 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup(100 grams) brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoonstoasted sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoonwater
  • 1 1/2 teaspoonspure vanilla extract
  • 3 ounces(85 grams) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped into bite-size pieces (averaging 1/2-inch with some smaller and some larger, optional)
  • Black and white sesame seeds, for rolling
Directions
  1. Adjust an oven rack to the middle of the oven. Heat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line three sheet pans with aluminum foil, dull-side up.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda.
  3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Add the granulated and brown sugars and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the egg, toasted sesame oil, water, and vanilla, and mix on low speed to combine. Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until combined. Add the chocolate, if using, and mix until combined.
  4. Form the dough into 3-ounce (85-gram) balls (1/4 cup). Roll in the sesame seeds, and place 4 cookies an equal distance apart on each sheet pan. Bake the cookies one pan at a time. Bake until the dough balls have spread flat but are puffed slightly in the center, 9 minutes. Lift one side of the sheet pan up about 4 inches (10 centimeters) and gently let it drop down against the oven rack, so the edges of the cookies set and the center falls back down. After the cookies puff up again in 2 minutes, repeat lifting and dropping the pan. Repeat a few more times to create ridges around the edge of the cookie. Bake for 15 to 16 minutes total, until the cookies have spread out and the edges are golden brown but the centers are much lighter and not fully cooked.
  5. Transfer the pan to a wire rack. Let the cookies cool for 10 minutes, then move them to a wire rack to finish cooling. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days (or refrigerate for up to 3 days).

Tags:

  • Cookie
  • American
  • Sesame Oil
  • Sesame
  • Bake
  • Dessert

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Susan

  • Bar49

  • KKD

  • LynneT

  • LLStone

A baker's soliloquy. You can follow along at thevanillabeanblog.com.

Popular on Food52

31 Reviews

Susan March 14, 2023

Wow what a great cookie! Next time I’ll weigh the dough before I portion it. Going by 85g I only got 10 cookies. Other than that, they turned out perfectly.

Bar49 March 6, 2023

What is the calorie count & nutrition info. For each cookie. Why does food 52 not include this info for their recipes?

akaaaw February 26, 2023

This is a really good base from which to have fun! I subbed in Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 GF flour, which worked well here but was a bit greasy, which is typical for a GF recipe, as the flour doesn't absorb fat that well. Next time I will try with melted butter. For extra flavor, I browned 4 tbsp of the butter and mixed with the rest as directed in the recipe. I agree w/ some others that the chocolate isn't necessary here, the sesame flavor and seed texture is really good and the chocolate just doesn't feel that important here. This is definitely a very sesame flavor, so you gotta be on board with that flavor profile. I do think a different add-in like toasted peanuts could be really good here. The nuttiness of the sesame is so, so, good and really unusual. Highly recommend!

sheila December 18, 2022

Very good recipe, it's clearly been tested and worked very well. Love the wrinkly cookie. However I think the cookie dough could use a bit more flavor. I think next time I would brown the butter and maybe even add a bit more sesame oil or tahini in place of some of the butter.

KMack09 December 14, 2022

Has anyone tried freezing the raw dough and cooking several weeks later? I'd love to have some make ahead cookies that I can just pop in the oven and these look amazing.

Jane R. November 29, 2022

Hands down favorite from last year. So crispy and just the right amount of all of the flavors.

KKD March 6, 2022

Love these. Made these smaller than the recipe. Also used a bit less sugar.

eswapner February 21, 2022

I love this recipe! I make it all the time- so simple yet truly amazing. Always gets rave reviews from friends. Thank you for sharing this brilliant recipe!

th1world January 19, 2022

I was so excited to try these. Yes banging the pans was fun but the flavor of the sesame was overpowered by the chocolate. I might try again without chocolate. Overall very disappointing.

nlitra01 January 3, 2022

These cookies were amazing! The sesame flavor wasn't too much. I couldn't find black sesame seeds so I only used normal ones and they looked great. I'm not sure that I'll bother with dropping the sheet pan throughout the baking process as it was a bit time consuming and labor intensive. They were such a hit with friends, and can't wait to make them again.

Cynthia December 17, 2021

Has anyone made these smaller in size; say half the size the recipe calls for?

LynneT October 31, 2021

These are completely and utterly divine. I’ve been baking for over 50 years and these are quite possibly my new all time favorite cookie. I shared the first batch with coworkers and they all loved them. I used my largest scoop and my cookies were 46 grams before I baked them. I made the recipe as written, but I may have added a bit more chocolate. Truly wonderful and worth every banging minute. They make me smile every time I bake them. Love, love, ❤️

LLStone October 22, 2021

These are delicious. I am addicted to these. My grandkids love the original wrinkly cookies, and my husband and I love these. So very good..

avocadoalice October 19, 2021

I "veganized" these using vegan butter and a chia seed egg. I also subbed half the butter for peanut butter and added 2 tbs miso paste. Delicious!

Also made them gluten-free for my partner with celiac by using all purpose GF flour. Turned out great!

SROSE October 13, 2021

Followed the recipe exactly as written and these were perfection!
Beautiful sesame flavour and a combination of outer edge crunch and inner softness. The chocolate and sesame combination is so good!

Betsy February 10, 2021

I made these tonight, the first recipe I selected to try from the 100 Cookies book. My husband went bananas for them! I opted to add the chocolate and will do so again the next time I make them.

Adam T. December 4, 2020

I wanted to like these, but there was something off. I think there’s too much toasted sesame oil. Something to be used in extreme moderation! That said, they cooked well, and had a great crispy texture. Personally might try making them again with 1/4 the amount of sesame oil and add a bit of miso in to help elevate the sesame flavor.

Nancy November 13, 2020

We thought these cookies were banging! LOL They are incredibly delicious but I could not master the pan bang technique. I could manage only a ripple or two. This is a very unusual recipe and everyone raved. Thanks!

omartinez1492 September 22, 2020

These are incredible! The nutty taste of the toasted sesame works so well with chocolate! Not sure if the technique to get the ridges is totally worth the effort but I do like the crispier edges. Will absolutely make again.

deborah F. September 18, 2020

have you or anyone else tried this using almond flour for the gluten free set?

Barbarap September 29, 2021

I’m wondering the same thing.

avocadoalice October 19, 2021

I'm a year late, but yes, I used 1 cup GF all purpose and 3/4 cup almond flour. Worked out great!

Barbarap October 19, 2021

Thank you avocadoalice!

Toasted Sesame Cookies Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

Are roasted sesame seeds the same as toasted sesame seeds? ›

Roasted and toasted sesame seeds are similar in look and taste. The only difference is that toasted sesame seeds are made on the stove, whereas roasted sesame seeds are made in the oven. Roasting the sesame seeds makes the seed plump and intensifies the flavor, which adds a more nutty and smoky taste to your meals.

Should you toast sesame seeds before baking? ›

Toasting sesame seeds adds a little something for all your senses: A more enticing golden color, nutty aroma, richer taste, depth of flavor and pleasant crunch for all your dishes. It doesn't take too much time and you can get the job done on the stove, in the oven or even in the microwave.

Is toasted sesame oil better than sesame oil? ›

Regular sesame oil is best in recipes that don't require high heat. You can use it to sauté, or add it to a sauce at the end of the cooking time. Toasted sesame oil works best when its flavor gives a boost to salads, marinades, dips and other uncooked foods.

Who should not take sesame seeds? ›

A gastric obstruction called benign anastomotic stricture: Sesame seeds contain a lot of fiber. This might increase the risk of bowel obstruction in people with this condition. Surgery: Sesame might affect blood sugar levels, making blood sugar control difficult during and after surgery.

Does roasting sesame seeds destroy nutrients? ›

Embaby (2010) reported that roasting slightly removed the anti-nutrients while enhancing the vitro digestibility of sesame seeds. Rizki et al. (2015) observed that roasted sesame seeds at 150°C for 90 minutes yield the highest levels of antioxidants and total phenolic, flavonoids, sugar, and protein content.

Do toasted sesame seeds need to be refrigerated? ›

Roasted Sesame Seeds

Seeds cooked or roasted have a reduced shelf-life and will remain fresh for three to six months in the pantry and about a year in the refrigerator.

Is it worth toasting sesame seeds? ›

Tiny, flavorful sesame seeds have more uses in cooking than I can count. I sprinkle them generously over rice bowls, in buttery cookie dough, on yogurt, and much more. For many of these dishes, toasted sesame seeds have way more to offer in terms of taste and texture.

How long do sesame seeds last after toasting? ›

Once toasted, the shelf-life of sesame seeds shortens quite a bit. Storing toasted sesame seeds in an airtight container in the pantry will keep them fresh for three months. When stored in the refrigerator, they will keep for six months.

Why are toasted sesame seeds so good? ›

Toasting sesame seeds is a great way to bring out their naturally nutty flavour. The heat of the toasting process causes an enzymatic reaction that releases fragrant oils and enhances the nutty flavour of the seeds.

Can I toast sesame seeds in an air fryer? ›

Toast in the air fryer: Place the basket in the air fryer and toast the sesame seeds for approximately 3-4 minutes. Check on them frequently to ensure they don't burn. Cool and store: Once toasted, remove the basket from the air fryer and transfer the seeds to a plate or a cool surface.

How much sesame seeds should I eat daily? ›

Raw sesame seeds are a delicious snack (hulled or unhulled). You can toast and bake them as well. How many sesame seeds should I eat daily? Consume one tablespoon of raw or roasted sesame seeds every day, or season salads with sesame seeds to taste.

Which brand of sesame oil is best? ›

List of the Best Sesame Oil in India
Best Sesame Oil in IndiaAmazon RatingAmazon Price
Idhayam Sesame Oil4.5/5Click Here
Farm Naturelle Virgin Cold Pressed Sesame/Gingelly Oil4.3/5Click Here
BNB Virgin Sesame Oil4.3/5Click Here
Anjali Cold Pressed Gingelly/Sesame Oil4.3/5Click Here
6 more rows
Apr 18, 2024

Does toasted sesame oil go bad? ›

Throw away any sesame oil that's over 2 years old.

Unopened sesame oil will stay fresh for up to 1 year when stored at room temperature, and up to 2 years when refrigerated. An opened container of sesame oil will stay fresh for 6-8 months when left at room temperature, and up to 2 years when refrigerated.

Can I turn regular sesame oil into toasted sesame oil? ›

If you have regular sesame oil, you can toast it at home to make a toasted sesame oil with a rich, nutty flavor.

What is a substitute for toasted sesame seeds? ›

9 Best Sesame Seeds Substitutes
  • Poppy seeds.
  • Black sesame seeds.
  • Pumpkin seeds.
  • Chopped peanuts.
  • Hemp Seeds.
  • sunflower seeds.
  • Flax seeds.
  • Sesame Oil.
Jan 12, 2023

What do you use roasted sesame seeds for? ›

I sprinkle them generously over rice bowls, in buttery cookie dough, on yogurt, and much more. For many of these dishes, toasted sesame seeds have way more to offer in terms of taste and texture.

Are roasted sesame seeds good? ›

Nutritious Source of Plant Protein

To maximize protein availability, opt for hulled, roasted sesame seeds. The hulling and roasting processes reduce oxalates and phytates — compounds that hamper your digestion and absorption of protein (14, 15, 16).

What is the difference between raw and roasted sesame seeds? ›

Flavor and Texture: Raw sesame seeds have a milder flavor and a softer texture compared to their roasted counterparts. Roasted sesame seeds, on the other hand, boast a more robust flavor profile and a crispier texture, thanks to the caramelization that occurs during the roasting process.

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