Italian Sesame Cookies

Name: Italian Sesame Cookies
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 8 dozen.
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1 cup sugar; 3 large eggs, room temperature; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 3 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1-3/4 cups sesame seeds; 3/4 cup 2% milk

These nontraditional European cookies aren't overly sweet and have a wonderful crunch from sesame seeds. They're the ideal accompaniment to a freshly brewed cup of coffee or tea.—Sarah Knoblock, Hyde Park, Indiana

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-3/4 cups sesame seeds
3/4 cup 2% milk

Directions

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add 1 egg at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
Turn onto a lightly floured surface, knead 10-12 times or until smooth. Divide dough into 8 portions. Shape each portion into a 24-in. log. Cut logs into 2-in. pieces.
Place sesame seeds and milk in separate shallow bowls. Brush pieces with milk, then roll in sesame seeds. Place 2-in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° until set and bottoms are lightly browned, 7-9 minutes. Cool for 2 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 45 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 35mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch.

Originally published as Italian Sesame Seed Cookies in Holiday & Celebrations Cookbook 2010