The colony’s resident cook kept a cookie jar full of sweet snacks to fuel our scribbles. One of my favorites was a thin sesame cookie. Back home, I figured out how to make it. My version has black sesame seeds, which adds a layer of depth and color to this delicate and delicious cookie. The buttery dough for these cookies is rolled into a log, chilled, and thinly sliced. Once baked, they get crisp. If you like your cookies crisper, bake them a minute or two longer. If you like a little bit of softness in the middle, reduce the cooking time by a minute or two. The cookies are great for afternoon tea, to pack along on a picnic, or to take on a road trip. They are fancy enough to serve to company, but small enough that they are not too indulgent for an everyday snack.
Substitutions and Variations
For me, black sesame adds an Asian influence, and I think it makes the cookies look pretty. You can use regular sesame seeds—be sure to toast them first until golden for a nuttier flavor. If you don’t have sesame seeds, you can use equal amounts of other seeds or nuts like:
sunflower seedspumpkin seedschia seedsflax seedschopped almonds or pecans
How to Store Baked Sesame Crisp Cookies
Once baked, these cookies will keep in an airtight container for up to one week at room temperature. They’ll also keep in the fridge for a couple of weeks, and up to six months frozen in a zip top bag.
Make the Dough Ahead; Bake When Ready
In the refrigerator: The beauty of these cookies is that they can be made and kept in the fridge for a day or two ahead of when you want to bake them. Wrap the cookie dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to two days. When ready, slice and bake. In the freezer: They also freeze well. I make the dough, roll it into logs, and keep them in my freezer for up to six months. Whenever I have last-minute company, I simply slice and bake the cookies. There is no need to fully thaw them before slicing.
If You Love Thin and Crisp Cookies
Oatmeal Lace Cookies Benne Wafers Chocolate Florentine Cookies Gingersnap Cookies Thin and Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies
