I absolutely love how this Sesame Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe brings together the nutty, toasty flavor of sesame seeds with the rich, melty goodness of dark chocolate. It’s one of those recipes that surprise your taste buds in the best way because the sesame oil adds a subtle depth you don’t usually find in classic chocolate chip cookies. Whether you’re baking for a casual afternoon treat or a special gathering, these cookies always spark compliments and that warm, “wow, what’s in this?” kind of curiosity.
When I first tried this Sesame Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe, I was amazed at how simple ingredients combined to make something both comforting and unique. You’ll find that the toasted sesame seeds add a satisfying crunch, and the sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top truly elevates the whole experience. Trust me, once you give these a go, they’ll become your new favorite crowd-pleaser, especially when you want a cookie that’s a little unexpected but totally delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unique Flavor Combo: The sesame oil and seeds bring a lovely nutty twist to your classic chocolate chip cookie.
- Perfect Texture: Crispy edges with a soft and chewy center, plus a bit of crunch from the toasted seeds.
- Easy to Prep Ahead: You can chill the dough up to 2 days or freeze it, making your baking schedule flexible.
- Crowd-Pleasing Appeal: These cookies are great for sharing — they’ll quickly disappear at any party or family gathering.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this Sesame Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe are simple but thoughtfully combined to create those irresistible flavors. Using toasted sesame oil and a mix of white and black sesame seeds truly makes the difference here, so don’t skip them!
- Unsalted butter: I melt and cool it first to create a tender, chewy cookie texture.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor, key for chewy cookies.
- Granulated sugar: For balance and crispiness on the edges.
- Toasted sesame oil: This is the secret flavor booster; use good quality for best results.
- Eggs: They bring richness and help bind everything together.
- Vanilla extract: Classic flavor enhancer that complements the chocolate and sesame perfectly.
- All-purpose flour: The base of the dough; don’t substitute with whole wheat unless you’re aiming for a different texture.
- Baking powder and baking soda: Both work together to give the cookies just the right lift and texture.
- Kosher salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
- White sesame seeds: Toasted for an extra nuttiness and crunch.
- Black sesame seeds: They add visual contrast and a slightly earthier flavor.
- Maldon or flaky salt: Sprinkled on top for a gourmet finishing touch.
- Dark chocolate chunks or chips: I personally love chunks for those pockets of melty goodness.
Variations
I love tweaking this Sesame Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe, and you should feel free to personalize it to suit your tastes or dietary needs. Whether you want to amp up certain flavors or swap things out, these cookies are forgiving and adaptable.
- Nut-Free Variation: If allergies are a concern, skip the sesame oil and seeds and use toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds instead — it changes the flavor but still adds a great crunch.
- Dairy-Free Version: Swap out butter for a plant-based margarine or coconut oil and choose dairy-free chocolate chips for a vegan-friendly treat.
- Extra Crunch: Add chopped toasted pecans or walnuts — I tried it once and the nutty layers paired beautifully with the sesame flavor.
- Spicy Twist: Toss in a pinch of cinnamon or even a little cayenne pepper for a surprise warmth that’s surprisingly addictive.
How to Make Sesame Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Wet Ingredients with Love
Start by melting your butter and letting it cool slightly — this step helps the sugars dissolve and creates a chewy cookie texture. In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and toasted sesame oil until smooth and combined. Then add your eggs one at a time; mixing them in gradually helps the dough stay silky and prevents it from separating. Finally, pour in the vanilla extract and give it one last good mix. This is the moment where the cookie dough starts smelling wonderfully inviting!
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients Carefully
In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt. Then add both the white and black toasted sesame seeds to this mix. This ensures even distribution before adding it to your wet ingredients. Gradually add this dry mixture to your wet bowl, folding gently just until no flour streaks remain — overmixing can make the cookies tough, so stop as soon as it’s combined. Then fold in your chocolate chunks or chips for those divine melty pockets.
Step 3: Chill Like a Pro
Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and refrigerate for at least one hour, though I’ve chilled mine for up to two days. Chilling helps the flavors meld and prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking, which keeps them thick and chewy. I discovered when baking straight from refrigeration, slightly longer oven time might be needed, so keep an eye on the golden edges.
Step 4: Scoop and Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a medium cookie scoop, portion out your dough balls—if the dough is really cold, press it into the scoop to make sure it’s compact for even baking. Place 6 to 7 dough balls per sheet, spacing them about 4 inches apart because these cookies do spread out beautifully. Bake for 7 to 8 minutes, possibly up to 10 if your dough is chilled thoroughly. You’ll want to look for light to medium golden edges as your cue to pull them out. Right after they come out, sprinkle a pinch of flaky Maldon salt on top — that little finish makes a big difference!
Step 5: Repeat and Enjoy!
Continue baking the rest of your dough in batches and do your best to resist diving right in while they’re warm (though I won’t judge you if you do!). Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack — this resting time helps set their gooey centers.
Pro Tips for Making Sesame Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Don’t Skip Chilling: Chilling your dough is key to prevent spreading and helps deepen the sesame flavor.
- Use a Medium Scoop: This ensures consistent cookie sizes for even baking—no one likes unevenly baked cookies!
- Freshly Toast Sesame Seeds: Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan until fragrant—this step dramatically upgrades flavor.
- Sprinkle Salt After Baking: Adding flaky salt right out of the oven balances the sweetness and adds dimension.
How to Serve Sesame Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I always sprinkle just a pinch of flaky Maldon or sea salt on top after baking — it’s a small step that makes a huge flavor impact. Sometimes, I even add a few extra toasted sesame seeds or a drizzle of melted white chocolate for an elegant touch if I’m serving these at a get-together.
Side Dishes
These cookies go wonderfully with a tall glass of cold milk or a cup of earthy green tea, which complements the sesame beautifully. For brunch, I like pairing them with fresh fruit or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert treat.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun party presentation, arrange these cookies on a rustic wooden board alongside small bowls of mixed sesame seeds and chocolate chunks. You can also stack them with parchment paper in between inside a pretty tin or wrap them individually in wax paper tied with twine — perfect for gifting to friends and family!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature, layered carefully with parchment paper to keep them from sticking together. They usually stay perfectly fresh for up to 4 days, and it’s such a joy to have ready-made cookies whenever cravings hit.
Freezing
If I’m not planning to bake all the dough right away, I freeze cookie dough balls on a baking sheet first until solid (about 20 minutes), then transfer them to a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, pop them straight from frozen into the oven at 300°F—this trick keeps them fresh longer and cuts down prep time on busy days.
Reheating
To reheat baked cookies, I like warming them in the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes or so—this revives that fresh-baked warmth and softens up any hardened edges without drying them out. Microwaving works too in a pinch but can make them a bit chewy fast if you’re not careful.
FAQs
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Can I use regular sesame oil instead of toasted sesame oil?
While you can, I highly recommend using toasted sesame oil for this Sesame Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. The toasted variety has a richer, nuttier flavor that really elevates the cookies, whereas regular sesame oil is much milder and might not bring the same depth.
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Why do you use both baking powder and baking soda?
Great question! The combination of baking powder and baking soda gives these cookies the perfect balance of rise and spread. Baking soda helps with browning and spread, while baking powder adds a light, tender lift, resulting in that ideal chewy yet soft texture.
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Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! To make this Sesame Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free baking flour blend. Just be sure your blend contains xanthan gum or another binding agent to keep the texture right.
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How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling your dough is the best way to avoid excess spreading, so don’t skip that step. Also, using parchment paper on your baking sheets and spacing the dough balls well apart helps maintain that nice shape and thickness.
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Can I substitute dark chocolate with milk chocolate or white chocolate?
You can, but note that dark chocolate balances the nutty sesame flavor beautifully. Milk or white chocolate will make the cookies sweeter and creamier, which might appeal if you prefer a sweeter cookie, but the overall flavor will be less complex.
Final Thoughts
This Sesame Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe has become one of my favorite go-to treats because it’s simple, delicious, and just a little bit special. I love sharing these with friends because the blend of sesame and chocolate is unexpected and always a hit. Give this recipe a try—you’ll enjoy the process, and I promise your taste buds will thank you for it!
PrintSesame Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours (including chilling)
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these Sesame Chocolate Chip Cookies, a delicious twist on the classic treat with the nutty flavor of toasted sesame oil and crunchy sesame seeds. These cookies combine rich dark chocolate chunks with the subtle crunch of white and black sesame seeds, creating a unique and irresistible flavor experience. Perfectly soft and chewy with a hint of flaky salt topping, they make an ideal snack or dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 cup light or dark brown sugar
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Add-ins
- 1/4 cup white sesame seeds
- 3 tablespoons black sesame seeds
- 8 ounces dark chocolate chunks or chips
Topping
- Maldon or flaky salt, for topping
Instructions
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the melted and cooled butter with the light or dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, and toasted sesame oil until fully combined. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in the pure vanilla extract to complete the wet mixture.
- Add Dry Ingredients and Mix: Gradually add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, white sesame seeds, and black sesame seeds to the wet mixture. Stir gently just until the flour is fully incorporated and no flour specks remain.
- Incorporate Chocolate and Chill Dough: Fold in the dark chocolate chunks or chips until evenly distributed through the dough. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 days, to firm up the dough.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Scoop Dough and Arrange: Use a medium cookie scoop to portion out balls of dough. If the dough is very cold, press it into the scoop firmly before releasing it to maintain shape. Place 6 to 7 dough balls on each lined baking sheet, spacing them about 4 inches apart to allow spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies for 7 to 8 minutes, extending to up to 10 minutes if using very cold dough. The cookies should turn a light to medium golden brown when done.
- Add Finishing Touch and Cool: Immediately sprinkle the freshly baked cookies with a pinch of Maldon or flaky salt while they are still warm. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Freezing Option: For freezing, place dough balls on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 20 minutes). Transfer frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe plastic bag. When ready to bake, bake from frozen at 300°F (150°C) adjusting baking time accordingly.
Notes
- Use stainless steel bowls and silicon spatulas for easy mixing and scraping.
- A medium cookie scoop helps form uniform cookie sizes and ensures even baking.
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Adjust chilling time as desired; longer chilling enhances flavor and texture.
- Sprinkling flaky salt after baking enhances the flavor contrast with the sweet cookie.
- When baking frozen dough, reduce oven temperature to 300°F for best results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 68 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg