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Several white and black sesame cookies enclosed by silk paper.

Sesame Shortbread Cookies

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5 from 9 reviews

Maybe the most sophisticated yet simple cookies you'll get your hands on this season. They are sweet but savory, crumbly but firm, and just perfect for a holiday gathering or party. And they freeze wonderfully, of course.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 30 medium cookies

Ingredients

Units
  • 6 tablespoons (90g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • Scant 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
  • 1 and 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose or cake flour
  • 3 tablespoons sesame seeds (I use black and white)

Instructions

  1. In a bowl mix soft butter with powdered sugar. 
  2. Add egg yolk and mix well. 
  3. Add salt, both oils, seeds and mix everything until combined. 
  4. Add flour and combine until no dry spots remain. 
  5. Put this mixture on a piece of plastic wrap, making a cylinder or log parallel to the counter, leaving a border of about 2 inches. 
  6. Start by folding the side close to you over the log of cookie mixture, as you would a cinnamon roll. Then go back and forth so the plastic clings and encloses the whole log. 
  7. Grab the platic by both ends and roll, closing the ends. The plastic will probably bulge a bit. Prick it lightly with a fork once or twice to let the air out. This will ensure the dough remains soft and doesn't dry out.
  8. Refrigerate for 1 hour or freeze for up to 1 month. 
  9. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F/180°C.
  10. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. 
  11. Take out the cookie dough and cut circles about 1/3 inch.
  12. Arrange on prepared sheets and bake for 12-15 minutes, until they are dried, a bit crackled and starting to turn golden.
  13. Let cool completely on a wire rack and keep in closed tins or cookie jars. 

Notes

Freezing: you can make a large batch and freeze the cylinders. 

  • Author: Paula Montenegro
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Cookies & Crackers
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: International

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/30
  • Calories: 63
  • Sugar: 3.9 g
  • Sodium: 78.4 mg
  • Fat: 3.6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 7.4 g
  • Fiber: 0.2 g
  • Protein: 0.7 g
  • Cholesterol: 12.3 mg