If you are searching for a delightful treat that combines a crisp texture with a nutty flavor, this Italian Sesame Cookies Recipe will quickly become one of your favorites. These cookies beautifully blend rich butter, fragrant vanilla, and the unique crunch of sesame seeds to create a snack that feels both timeless and special. Whether served with afternoon tea or shared at family gatherings, Italian Sesame Cookies offer a perfect balance of simplicity and sophistication that’s impossible to resist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of straightforward ingredients, this recipe proves that simplicity can lead to incredible results. Each item plays a vital role in building the cookie’s tender structure and signature flavor profile.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): The backbone of these cookies, providing structure and a tender crumb.
- Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Helps give the cookies a light, airy texture without overpowering the flavor.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Enhances the sweetness and balances the overall taste.
- Unsalted butter, softened (1/2 cup): Adds richness and a melt-in-your-mouth quality; make sure it’s soft for easy mixing.
- Granulated sugar (3/4 cup): Provides the perfect amount of sweetness and helps with cookie browning.
- Large eggs (2): Bind all ingredients together and add moisture for a tender bite.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Brings a warm, aromatic depth that complements the sesame seeds beautifully.
- Almond extract (1/2 teaspoon, optional): A subtle hint that adds an extra layer of flavor complexity.
- Milk (1/2 cup): Keeps the dough soft and helps with achieving the ideal texture.
- Sesame seeds (1 cup): The star ingredient that gives these cookies their delightfully nutty crunch.
How to Make Italian Sesame Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Workspace
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This simple step ensures your cookies bake evenly and release easily without sticking, setting you up for success right from the beginning.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This even distribution is key to creating that perfect cookie texture where every bite is uniformly tender and airy.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This incorporates air into the mix, which helps with the cookie’s delicate crumb and rich flavor.
Step 4: Incorporate the Eggs and Extracts
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to maintain a smooth texture. Then stir in the vanilla and optional almond extracts — these fragrant additions elevate the cookies to something truly special with every bite.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with milk. Starting and ending with the dry ingredients, mix just until everything is combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can lead to tough cookies.
Step 6: Shape the Dough
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, then shape each into a small log. This elongated shape lends a lovely rustic charm and makes rolling in sesame seeds easier and more effective.
Step 7: Coat with Sesame Seeds
Roll each log in the sesame seeds, pressing gently to make sure the seeds stick well. This crunchy coating is what gives the cookies their signature texture and nutty aroma, making each bite exciting.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Arrange the sesame-coated logs on the baking sheet with some space between them so they bake evenly. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until they turn a light golden color. Keep an eye on the oven to avoid over-baking, as these cookies are best when tender inside with a crisp exterior.
Step 9: Cool Completely
After baking, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. This step lets them firm up just enough to handle without losing their delicate texture.
How to Serve Italian Sesame Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
These cookies shine best when served simply, but a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of honey adds a touch of elegance and extra sweetness that pairs beautifully with their nutty flavor.
Side Dishes
Enjoy these Italian Sesame Cookies alongside a cup of espresso or a creamy cappuccino. The robust coffee cuts through the richness and highlights the sesame’s fragrant notes, making for a perfect afternoon pick-me-up.
Creative Ways to Present
For festive occasions, consider arranging your cookies on a slate board with fresh fruit like figs or citrus slices. Wrapping a few in cellophane tied with a rustic ribbon also makes a thoughtful homemade gift that friends and family will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies maintain their crisp yet tender texture for up to one week, making them perfect for enjoying a few days after baking.
Freezing
You can freeze the baked cookies by placing them in a sealed freezer bag or container. When ready to eat, thaw at room temperature for a few hours. This retains their delightful flavor and texture almost as well as freshly baked.
Reheating
If you want to refresh your cookies, gently warm them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-7 minutes. This revives their aroma and crunch without drying them out.
FAQs
Can I substitute almond extract if I don’t have it?
Absolutely! Almond extract is optional, and if you don’t have it on hand, you can simply omit it or replace it with an equal amount of additional vanilla extract for a milder flavor.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
The traditional Italian Sesame Cookies Recipe calls for all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. If you need a gluten-free option, you can experiment with gluten-free flour blends, but results may vary slightly in texture.
How can I make the sesame seeds stick better?
After shaping the dough logs, gently press the sesame seeds into the dough to ensure they adhere properly. Slightly moistening the dough surface with a brush of milk before rolling in seeds can also help.
Can I make these cookies vegan?
To make a vegan version, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative and use a flax egg or chia egg instead of regular eggs. Keep in mind the texture might change slightly, but the nutty sesame flavor will still shine.
What is the texture like?
These cookies strike a lovely balance: crisp on the outside thanks to the sesame seed crust and tender on the inside with a slight chewiness. This combination makes every bite deeply satisfying.
Final Thoughts
Once you try this Italian Sesame Cookies Recipe, you’ll understand why it’s a beloved classic. Its straightforward ingredients come together to create a cookie that feels both comforting and special, perfect for any occasion. I can’t wait for you to bake a batch and experience that wonderful crunch and rich flavor firsthand!
Print
Italian Sesame Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
These Italian Sesame Cookies are delightful, buttery treats coated in crunchy sesame seeds, perfect for tea-time or dessert. They combine a tender cookie base with a nutty exterior, offering a mix of textures and flavors that are easy to prepare and bake to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 1/2 cup milk
Coating
- 1 cup sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of cookies and even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt, then set aside. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents and seasoning.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with the granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture in the cookies.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the butter-sugar mixture, mixing well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract and optional almond extract for enhanced flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture alternating with the milk to the wet mixture, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Stir gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can toughen the cookies.
- Form Cookie Logs: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, then shape each ball into a small log shape which will help with coating and baking evenly.
- Coat with Sesame Seeds: Roll each dough log in the sesame seeds, pressing gently to ensure the seeds adhere well to the surface for a flavorful crunchy coating.
- Arrange and Bake: Place the coated logs on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart to allow for slight spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until they turn a light golden color indicating they are done.
- Cool: Transfer the baked cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely to set their shape and texture before serving.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened but not melted to achieve the proper texture in the dough.
- If almond extract is unavailable or undesired, it can be omitted without a major impact on flavor.
- For a nuttier taste, lightly toast the sesame seeds before coating the cookie logs.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- These cookies freeze well if wrapped tightly and placed in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
