Sesame Crisp Cookies
A traditional Southern American sesame cookie—crisp and buttery, with brown sugar and orange zest. Said to bring good luck.
Ingredients
sesame seeds (divided: 1 cup mixed into the dough, 1/4 cup for coating)
1.25 cup
all-purpose flour
1.5 cup
baking powder
1.5 tsp
salt
1/8 tsp
unsalted butter (melted and cooled)
6 tbsp (3/4 stick)
light brown sugar (firmly packed)
3/4 cup
granulated sugar
1/4 cup
large eggs
2
orange zest (finely grated)
1 tsp
toasted sesame oil
1 tsp
vanilla extract
1.5 tsp
Instructions
1
Prepare the Oven
Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350°F. Grease two baking sheets.
2
Toast the Sesame Seeds
Place the sesame seeds in a large skillet over medium heat, shaking the pan frequently, until the seeds are pale golden. Immediately transfer to a medium bowl to cool completely.
3
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
4
Make the Batter
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed for about 30 seconds. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well between additions and scraping down the bowl as needed. Add the orange zest, sesame oil, and vanilla, and beat until just combined. Add the dry ingredients on low speed, then add 1 cup of the sesame seeds, and mix until just combined. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for 15 minutes.
5
Shape the Cookies
Place the remaining 1/4 cup of sesame seeds in a pie plate. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Dip each ball into the sesame seeds, covering only the top half. Place the balls sesame-side up on the baking sheets, spaced 2 inches apart. Gently press with the palm of your hand into 1.5-inch disks.
6
Bake
Bake one sheet at a time until golden brown, 11 to 13 minutes. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
