Crunchy and not overly sweet, these Middle Eastern Sesame Cookies (also called simsim and baksum in Arabic) are the perfect dunking cookie. That is, as long as you don't mind a few sesame seeds in your coffee or samovar tea!
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My Sister, Beni, who is 12 years older than I am, recalls how in Iraq, men walked around our neighborhood selling a variety of baked goods. Our grandmother, who had a sweet tooth, was a regular customer.
All kinds of baked goods were packed on trays that were masterfully balanced on the men's heads. The men would call out, in a loud voice, a list of what they had to offer: "Baksum (another name for these cookies), Chorag (an Armenian bread), Sameet (Middle Eastern sesame bagels)", and so on.
This was a daily occurrence that took place in the afternoon after everyone awoke from their afternoon naps. The Simsim cookies were always enjoyed with family or friends and served with a good cup of tea or chai along with sesame candy!
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😍 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Simsim cookies are not overly sweet.
- They are light and crisp and the perfect on-the-go snack.
- Simsim cookies are perfect with a strong cup of Turkish coffee or dunked into a tall glass of cold milk.
🔖 Ingredients & Substitutions
- Cardamom: Cardamom makes this recipe, so please don't leave it out. It's an ingredient that you'll see repeatedly on my blog and happens to be my favorite spice. If you don't have any, get some!
- Sesame Seeds: Another ingredient that's required for this recipe is sesame seeds. I use raw seeds instead of toasted ones since they will get a chance to toast while the cookies are baking.
🍪 How to Make Sesame Cookies
Preheat oven to 375°F
Step 1: Beat eggs using a mixer. Add oil and vanilla, then mix until combined. Add sugar and mix until smooth.
Step 2: Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and cardamom into a medium-sized bowl, then gradually add to the wet ingredients while the mixer is on slow speed.
Step 3: Form approximately 1 tablespoon of dough into finger-shaped/sized logs. Roll the logs in the sesame seeds to coat on all sides.
Step 4: Arrange the simsim cookies on parchment-lined cookie sheets, allowing room for expansion. Gently flatten with your hand.
Pro Tip: You can make other shapes if you wish!
Step 5: Bake the sesame cookies for 30 minutes or until golden in color. Enjoy with a hot cup of tea!
🤷🏻♀️ Recipe FAQs
According to a healthline.com article, "Regularly eating substantial portions of these seeds - not just an occasional sprinkling on a burger bun - may aid blood sugar control, combat arthritis pain, and lower cholesterol."
Although these Simsim cookies provide you with a delicious way to consume more sesame seeds, another great option is to toss a tablespoon into your favorite smoothie.
Sesame seeds are also used to make Tahini paste and Tahini Sauce, which are both healthy and insanely delicious!
👩🏼🍳 Pro Tips
- Various oils can be used to make Simsim sesame cookies. This includes olive oil, butter, and coconut oil. I've also used peanut oil, which gives them a nutty flavor.
- Simsim can be formed into different shapes. This includes being braided into ropes, shaped into circles, or small doughnuts.
- Cardamom isn't always included, but totally works in this recipe, so if you love cardamom, here's another way to use it.
🥠 Related recipes
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📖 Recipe
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Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Beat eggs using a mixer. Add oil and vanilla, then mix until combined. Add sugar and mix until smooth.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and cardamom (if using) into a medium-sized bowl then gradually add to the wet ingredients while the mixer is running on low.
- Form approximately 1 tablespoon of dough into finger-shaped/sized logs. Roll the logs in the sesame seeds, to coat on all sides.
- Arrange the logs on parchment-lined cookie sheets, allowing room for expansion. Gently flatten with your hand.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until golden in color. Enjoy with tea!
Nutrition
Notes
- Various oils can be used to make simsim sesame cookies. This includes olive oil, butter, and coconut oil. I've also used peanut oil, which gives them a nutty flavor.
- These cookies can be formed into different shapes. This includes being braided into ropes, shaped into circles, or small doughnuts.
- Cardamom isn't always included, but totally works in this recipe, so if you love cardamom, here's another way to use it.
Jennifer Wilson says
Not only delicious, but a beautiful addition to my Christmas Cookie platter!
Hilda Sterner says
Thank you so much, Jennifer! I appreciate the review, enjoy!
Eshet Chayil says
Excellent recipe. The cookies are great. I did not have any cardamom, but I did add some ginger. I did not notice the taste of the ginger, so I will leave it out next time. My husband dipped them in marinara sauce! I will definitely make these again, and again. Thank you!
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Eshet, Thank you so much for the review....marinara sauce??? Really? I can't imagine, haha. As long as he enjoyed them that's all that matters!😁
Dave Holsted says
Thank you for the great article. Bookmarked the website.
Hilda Sterner says
Thank you!
Beni says
I tried this recipe and the cookies were amazing! This recipe is a keeper!
HildaSterner says
Thanks for the recipe rating! I can't stop eating them. 😬
Jenni says
These cookies sound so amazing! I love sesame. 🙂 They seem very similar to a Moroccan cookie called ghoriba bahla. So interesting to see similarities and differences among baked goods from different cultures. Thank you so much for including a link to my Choereg recipe. Take care!
HildaSterner says
Hi Jenni,
Yes, you're right, it is pretty amazing how we're all connected. And now so are our blogs! 😉 Take care!
Sarah says
my cookies got a bit burnt after 30 min at 375! still edible, mostly just extra dark on the bottoms. delicious otherwise, i just needed to check the cooking time--25min would have done it.
Hilda Sterner says
HI Sarah,
Yeah each oven is different so you really have to keep an eye on them to make sure they don't over cook. Thanks for your comment!