Chinese Sesame Cookie Recipe: How to Make Delicious Cookies at Home

If you're looking for a delicious and addictive snack to make at home, look no further than Chinese sesame cookies. These cookies are quick and easy to make, and they're perfect for celebrating Chinese New Year or any other auspicious occasion.

To make Chinese sesame cookies, you'll need a few basic ingredients, including all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, unsalted butter, shortening, granulated sugar, brown sugar, a large egg, almond extract, and white sesame seeds. You can also substitute other types of seeds or nuts for the sesame seeds if you prefer.

Preparing the dough is easy – simply mix the dry ingredients together, then add the wet ingredients and mix until a smooth dough forms. From there, you can shape the dough into balls or other shapes, top them with sesame seeds, and bake them until golden brown. Once they're done, you can enjoy them as a snack or dessert, or serve them to guests with tea or coffee.

Key Takeaways

• Chinese sesame cookies are a quick and easy snack that are perfect for celebrating Chinese New Year or other auspicious occasions.
• You can substitute other types of seeds or nuts for the sesame seeds if you prefer.
• Seafood can be used as an optional ingredient in the recipe.

Ingredients and Substitutes

When it comes to making Chinese sesame cookies, there are a few key ingredients that you'll need to have on hand. Here are some of the most important ingredients, as well as some potential substitutes that you can use if you don't have everything you need:

Choosing the Right Flour

The type of flour you use in your sesame cookie recipe can have a big impact on the final product. All-purpose flour is the most common type of flour used in baking, but you can also use cake flour for a lighter, more delicate cookie. If you can't find either of these flours, you can try using self-raising flour instead.

Types of Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds are a key ingredient in sesame cookies. You can use white sesame seeds, black sesame seeds, or toasted sesame seeds in your recipe, depending on your preference. Black sesame seeds have a slightly nuttier flavour than white sesame seeds, and toasted sesame seeds will add a deeper, richer flavour to your cookies.

Sweetening Options

Granulated sugar and brown sugar are the most common sweeteners used in sesame cookie recipes. However, you can also use honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar as a natural sweetener. If you prefer a less sweet cookie, you can reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe or use a sugar substitute like stevia.

If you want to add a seafood twist to your sesame cookies, you can try adding some dried shrimp or scallops to the recipe. These seafood ingredients will add a salty, umami flavour to your cookies that pairs well with the nutty taste of sesame seeds. Just be sure to chop the seafood finely before adding it to the dough.

Preparing the Dough

When it comes to making Chinese sesame cookies, the dough is the foundation of the recipe. It's important to get the dough right, as it will determine the texture and flavour of the final product. Here's how to prepare the dough for your sesame cookies:

Mixing the Dry Ingredients

Start by mixing the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. You'll need 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Use a whisk or a fork to combine the ingredients thoroughly.

Incorporating Fats and Liquids

Next, you'll need to incorporate the fats and liquids into the dry ingredients. You can use either butter or vegetable oil as the fat, depending on your preference. If you use butter, make sure it's at room temperature so it's easier to mix.

For the liquids, you'll need 1/2 cup of milk and 2 egg whites. You can also add seafood to the dough if you want to give it a unique twist. For example, you could add finely chopped shrimp or crab meat to the dough. This will add a subtle seafood flavour to the cookies.

Once you have your fats and liquids ready, make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour in the milk and egg whites. Mix everything together until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough.

Now that you have your dough ready, you can start shaping it into balls and rolling them in sesame seeds. With a little bit of patience and practice, you'll be able to make delicious Chinese sesame cookies that everyone will love.

Shaping and Baking

Forming the Cookie Balls

Now that your dough is ready, it's time to shape it into cookie balls. Take a small amount of dough and roll it into a ball using your hands. The size of the ball should be around 1 inch in diameter. Repeat the process until all the dough is used up.

If you want to get creative, you can shape the dough into different shapes such as rolls or even animal shapes. However, keep in mind that this may affect the baking time and temperature.

Baking Techniques

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). For a convection oven, reduce the cooking temperature by 25ºF (15ºC).

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the cookie balls on top, leaving some space in between each ball. If you don't have parchment paper, you can lightly grease the baking sheet with butter or oil.

Bake the cookie balls for around 15 minutes or until they turn golden brown. Keep an eye on them as they bake to avoid burning. You can also rotate the baking sheet halfway through the baking process to ensure even cooking.

Once the cookie balls are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

If you want to add a seafood twist to your cookie recipe, you can consider adding some crushed prawns or crab meat to the dough mixture. This will give your cookies a unique flavour and texture. However, make sure to cook the seafood beforehand and drain any excess liquid before adding it to the dough.

Cooking Alternatives

If you're looking for a crunchy texture, there are a few cooking alternatives you can try to achieve that. Here are two of them:

Frying for Crunchiness

Frying is a popular method for achieving a crunchy texture in many dishes. To fry your sesame cookies, you'll need to deep fry them in hot oil until they turn golden brown. You can use any cooking oil that has a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil or peanut oil. Be sure to drain the excess oil from the cookies after frying them.

If you're looking to add some seafood to your sesame cookies, you can try adding some dried shrimp or scallops to the batter before frying. This will add a nice umami flavour to the cookies.

Using an Air Fryer

If you're looking for a healthier alternative to frying, you can try using an air fryer. An air fryer uses hot air to cook food, which results in a crispy texture without the need for oil.

To use an air fryer to cook your sesame cookies, simply place them in the air fryer basket and cook them for a few minutes until they turn golden brown. You can also brush some oil on the cookies before air frying them to achieve an even crispier texture.

If you're looking to add some seafood to your sesame cookies, you can try adding some dried shrimp or prawns to the batter before air frying. This will add a nice seafood flavour to the cookies.

Overall, there are many ways to achieve a crunchy texture when cooking sesame cookies. Whether you choose to fry them or use an air fryer, be sure to experiment with different ingredients to find the perfect flavour combination for your taste buds.

Storing and Serving

Keeping Cookies Fresh

To keep your Chinese sesame cookies fresh for as long as possible, it is important to store them properly. You can store them in an airtight container, such as a plastic container or a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. This will help to keep them fresh and prevent them from becoming stale.

If you don't have an airtight container, you can also wrap your cookies in plastic wrap or store them in a ziplock bag. Be sure to remove as much air as possible before sealing the bag.

Another option is to place your cookies in a container lined with paper towels. The paper towels will absorb any moisture and help to keep your cookies fresh for longer.

Serving Suggestions

Chinese sesame cookies are a delicious snack that can be enjoyed any time of day. They are perfect for serving with tea or coffee, or as a sweet treat after a meal.

If you're looking for a more creative way to serve your cookies, why not try incorporating seafood into the recipe? For example, you could add some chopped prawns or crab meat to the dough to give your cookies a unique twist. Alternatively, you could serve your cookies alongside a seafood dip or spread.

Whatever your serving suggestion, be sure to share your creations on social media platforms such as Instagram or Facebook to inspire others to try out this tasty recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the secret to getting that perfect crunch in sesame cookies?

The secret to getting a perfect crunch in sesame cookies is toasting the sesame seeds before adding them to the dough. Toasting the sesame seeds brings out their natural oils and enhances their nutty flavour. Additionally, adding a small amount of baking powder to the dough can also help create a light and crispy texture.

Can you suggest a good substitute for honey in sesame crisps?

If you're looking for a substitute for honey in sesame crisps, you can try using maple syrup or agave nectar. Both of these sweeteners have a similar consistency to honey and can provide a similar level of sweetness to your cookies.

How do you ensure sesame cookies stay fresh for longer?

To ensure that your sesame cookies stay fresh for longer, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also add a slice of bread to the container to help absorb any excess moisture and keep the cookies from becoming stale.

What's the best way to celebrate Chinese New Year with traditional sesame cookies?

The best way to celebrate Chinese New Year with traditional sesame cookies is to share them with family and friends. You can also serve them alongside other traditional Chinese New Year foods, such as dumplings and spring rolls. Additionally, you can decorate your sesame cookies with red and gold icing to symbolise good luck and fortune.

Could you recommend a healthier alternative to traditional sesame cookie ingredients?

If you're looking for a healthier alternative to traditional sesame cookie ingredients, you can try using whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour. You can also substitute some of the butter with mashed avocado or coconut oil for a healthier fat source. Additionally, you can use natural sweeteners like dates or stevia instead of sugar.

What's the trick to making the easiest sesame cookies without compromising on taste?

The trick to making the easiest sesame cookies without compromising on taste is to keep the recipe simple. Stick to basic ingredients like flour, butter, sugar, and sesame seeds. You can also add a pinch of salt and a dash of vanilla extract for extra flavour. To make the process even easier, you can use a food processor to mix the dough and shape the cookies. And if you're feeling adventurous, you can add some seafood like shrimp or crabmeat to the dough for a unique twist on a classic recipe.