Description
These chewy honey sesame cookies are a delightful treat inspired by sesame peanut candy. They combine the rich flavors of browned butter, sweet honey, and toasty sesame seeds for a perfect balance of sweet and smoky. Ideal for holiday gatherings, these tender cookies are easy to prepare and promise a satisfying chew with every bite.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 egg, room temperature
- ⅓ cup honey
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ⅔ cup all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
Coating
- ½ cup sesame seeds
Instructions
- Brown the Butter: Melt ½ cup of unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Once melted, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until brown bits start to appear and the butter develops a nutty aroma. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool slightly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together 1 ⅔ cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, and ¼ tsp salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Pour the browned butter into a mixing bowl or stand mixer bowl. Add ½ cup light brown sugar and ½ cup granulated sugar. Mix until well combined.
- Add Egg: Crack in the egg and mix the batter until it becomes light, fluffy, and turns a light brown color, indicating good aeration.
- Add Honey and Vanilla: Incorporate ⅓ cup honey and ½ tsp vanilla extract into the mixture. Mix until everything is evenly combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients from step 2 to the wet ingredients. Mix gently until just combined, careful not to overmix to preserve tenderness.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for 45 minutes to firm up, which helps with handling and prevents excessive spreading during baking.
- Prepare Baking Sheets and Sesame Seeds: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Pour ½ cup sesame seeds into a small bowl.
- Form and Coat Cookies: After chilling, scoop dough using a medium cookie scoop (#16). Roll each portion between palms to form balls, then roll them in the sesame seeds to coat evenly. Place on the baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges start to brown. Remove from oven.
- Cool: Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Browning the butter adds a deep, nutty flavor that enhances the cookie’s richness.
- Refrigerating the dough helps control spreading so the cookies remain chewy and soft.
- Use room temperature egg for better mixing and texture.
- Ensure sesame seeds evenly coat each cookie ball for maximum flavor and crunch.
- Cookies are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American