Sesame Cookies
Sesame cookies, Lebanese-style Barazek, are a bakery favorite and so fun and easy to make at home. They are thin, crisp little cookies with sesame seeds on one side and pistachios on the other.
- Prep time
- 40 min
- Cook time
- 17 min
- Yield
- 56 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 2/3 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups unbleached, all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup sesame seeds (toasted)
- 1/2 cup pistachios (finely chopped)
Instructions
- 1
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, cream the butter, brown sugar, and confectioners’ sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 minutes.
- 2
Stop to scrape down the bowl. Add the vanilla and egg and beat on medium-high speed until the egg incorporates fully and the batter becomes thick and smooth, 2 more minutes.
- 3
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt. Add to the butter mixture and beat just until fully combined and no dry spots remain.
- 4
Arrange an oven rack in the middle position and preheat the oven to 350°F (165°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Finely chop the pistachios and place them in a small bowl. Place the sesame seeds in another small bowl.
- 5
Divide the dough into pieces about 9 grams each.Roll each piece into a ball between your palms, then flatten the ball slightly, about ¼-inch (6 mm) thick, in your hand. Press one side of the dough in the sesame seeds, allowing the circle to stick to your fingers. Lift and press 3 to 4 times, coating this side of the cookie with as many sesame seeds as possible. Flip over the dough disc and press it gently into the chopped pistachios, knocking off any excess.
- 6
Bake the cookies for 17-19 minutes, until golden brown. Remove the pan from the oven and cool the cookies completely before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.