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Sesame Honey Cookies

Sesame honey cookies with a toasted sesame crust and a delicate crunch. Beat the honey-butter base until fluffy, then bake until the edges turn golden for a shatteringly crisp bite.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 140

Ingredients
  

all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 cup all-purpose flour
sesame seeds
  • 0.5 cup sesame seeds plus extra for rolling
honey
  • 0.5 cup honey
butter
  • 0.5 cup butter softened
sugar
  • 0.25 cup sugar
egg
  • 1 egg
vanilla
  • 1 tsp vanilla
baking soda
  • 0.5 tsp baking soda
salt
  • 0.25 tsp salt
cinnamon
  • 0.06 tsp cinnamon pinch

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Prep
  1. Preheat oven to 350F and line a sheet pan. Toast the sesame seeds until fragrant, then set aside to cool slightly.
  2. Beat the softened butter, honey, and sugar until fluffy, with the mixture visibly lighter in color and texture. Aim for a smooth, spreadable consistency.
Mix and shape
  1. Add the egg and vanilla, then mix until fully combined. The batter should look glossy and uniform.
  2. Stir in the flour, sesame seeds, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Mix just until no dry flour remains and the dough holds together.
  3. Roll dough into balls and coat each one with extra sesame seeds. Flatten slightly so the cookies bake evenly.
Bake and cool
  1. Bake at 350F for 10-12 minutes until the edges are golden. Watch for a light set center with browning at the rim.
  2. Cool on the wire rack until firm to the touch. Let them rest briefly so they crisp as they cool.

Notes

Pro tip: toast the sesame seeds first for deeper, roasty flavor and a stronger crust. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature. For a gluten-free swap, use a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and expect a slightly softer center while staying crisp once cooled.