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–+ servings
A stack of black sesame cookies
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Black Sesame Swirl Cookies

These black sesame cookies swirl sweet vanilla dough with slightly savory black sesame paste. They're thick, soft, and forgivably addicting.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time13 minutes
Total Time28 minutes
Course: Dessert
Servings: 24
Author: Karie

Ingredients

Homemade Black Sesame Paste

  • 1/2 cup roasted black sesame seeds
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil

Cookie Dough

  • 8 ounces unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1 1/4 cups white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • About 1/4 cup black sesame paste
  • About 1/4 cup each white & black sesame seeds to garnish

Instructions

To make the black sesame paste:

  • Toast black sesame seeds in a dry skillet on low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent from burning.
  • Pour sesame seeds into a small food processor and blend until well broken down, 3-5 minutes. Stop machine and scrape down sides as needed.
  • With motor running, add honey and sesame oil. Continue to blend until mixture forms a fine paste, stopping to scrape the sides every once in a while. It may take a few minutes to get it to a nice texture; be patient and keep processing until the mixture is fairly smooth (some chunks are fine).

To make the cookie dough:

  • Cream butter, sugar, and salt together with electric beaters until smooth and fluffy, 3-4 minutes.
  • Add egg, egg yolk, and vanilla; mix until thoroughly combined.
  • In a bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder. Add to butter mixture, folding in until incorporated.

To swirl and bake the cookies:

  • Preheat oven to 350° F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Remove a little less than half the cookie dough and place in a separate bowl. Dot black sesame seed paste unevenly over dough, folding lightly into cookie dough until you have a swirled dough with uneven streaks of black sesame paste.
  • Using a large spring-loaded scoop, scoop a bit of regular cookie dough, followed by the swirled dough. Layer the two doughs into your scoop to achieve a nice swirled effect.
  • Place sesame seeds into small bowls. Dip top of cookie dough balls into sesame seeds, pressing lightly to adhere.
  • Place cookie dough balls onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper, about 2 inches apart. Bake until set around the edges, about 11-13 minutes.