These pretty little things are like a grown-up version of the typical peanut butter cookie. The black sesame seeds are not only eye-catching, but they toast in the oven as the cookies bake, providing a nice balance to the sugar. Calling for just five ingredients and baking up in about ten minutes, these are a snap to make.
Peanut Butter and Black Sesame Cookies
Adapted from the March 2009 issue of Gourmet
Ingredients
1 C creamy peanut butter (the cheap kind, not natural)
3/4 C sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp baking soda
5 Tbl black sesame seeds
Method
Preheat the oven to 350F. Cream the peanut butter and sugar together in a medium bowl. Add the egg and baking soda and mix until combined. Place the sesame seeds in a small dish and prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a Silpat mat.*
Use a teaspoon to measure the cookie batter and roll each portion into a ball using your hands. Roll the cookie in the sesame seeds to coat the top and place on the baking sheet. Continue this process with the rest of the dough. Bake the cookies for ten minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. Bake until the cookies are puffed and cracked, about ten minutes. Cool and serve. These cookies will keep for a few days in an airtight container.
(* I managed to fit all of my cookies on one large baking sheet, but it was tight and a few of the cookie edges baked together. You may want to use two baking sheets or bake the cookies in shifts.)
Whoa! I'm a huge fan of peanut butter cookies. These sound like a great version.
Posted by: Terry B | December 24, 2009 at 17:10
Thanks Terry! They are a nice, quick cookie. I'm usually not a fan of peanut butter cookies, but I love the extra nuttiness that the toasted sesame seeds provide. And, you can't beat the short ingredient list!
Posted by: Gemma | January 02, 2010 at 13:06
Those look delicious! Thank you for sharing the recipe! =)
Posted by: Fat Burning Furnace Review | July 02, 2010 at 14:42
Yum! I feel like giving it a bite...
Posted by: Fbf System | September 16, 2010 at 01:27
The "not natural" peanut butter seems ridiculous.
Posted by: craig | August 02, 2011 at 20:59
Why does it seem ridiculous? Natural nut butters and those that are manufactured not to separate at room temperature have very different properties. It would probably work with natural peanut butter, but I haven't tried it and I suspect the cookies might just melt into thin pancakes. Let me know if you give it a try and have success with a substitution!
Posted by: Gemma | August 04, 2011 at 11:46
I actually tried an all-natural peanut butter, with no additives and they turned out great!! love this recipe...so easy, not too sweet, perfect little dessert to bring to an unexpected party. Plus, black sesame seeds (Hei Zhi Ma) have tons of health benefits according to Chinese Medicine. They tonify your liver and kidneys, calm your spirit, and help relieve constipation...sorry, was that TMI? :) Enjoy!!
Posted by: mary | September 19, 2011 at 23:21
That's awesome Mary! Thanks for trying it out and reporting back. I admit I was a bit disappointed that the original recipe called for the sugary stuff. I can't wait to make these again with healthier ingredients. Cheers!
Posted by: Gemma | September 27, 2011 at 16:08