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    You Are Here Home » Middle Eastern Recipes

    Published: May 14, 2020 Updated: Aug 3, 2022 by Hilda Sterner | This post may contain affiliate links 6 Comments

    Simsim (Sesame Cookies

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    simsim cookies pin

    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 tea!

    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.

    Jump to:
    • 🧐 Why This Recipe Works
    • 🛒What You Need For This Recipe
    • 🔖 Ingredient Notes
    • 🍪How to Make Sesame Cookies
    • 🤷🏻‍♀️ Recipe FAQs
    • 👩🏼‍🍳 Pro Tips
    • 🥠 Related recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🧐 Why This Recipe Works

    • 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.

    🛒What You Need For This Recipe

    🔖 Ingredient Notes

    • 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-degree 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.

    flour and baking powder whisked in a bowl
    sesame cookie ingredients in a bowl
    mixing cookie dough
    cookie dough in bowl

    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. 

    cookie dough on spatula
    simsim/sesame cookies in a bowl with sesame seeds

    STEP 4: Arrange the simsim cookies on parchment-lined cookie sheets, allowing room for expansion. Gently flatten with your hand.

    simsim/sesame cookies on baking tray
    simsim/sesame cookies on baking tray

    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 tea!

    balsam cookies

    🤷🏻‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

    Are sesame seeds good for you?

    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."

    How do you eat sesame seeds daily?

    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!

    tahini sauce

    👩🏼‍🍳 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

    • shortbread cookies
      Cardamom Shortbread Cookies (Shakar Lama)
    • orange cardamom cookies
      Irresistible Orange Cardamom Cookies
    • kileche under a Christmas tree
      Kileche | Kleicha (Assyrian Holiday Cookies)
    • resurrection cookies
      Empty Tomb Resurrection Cookies

    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

    Stay in touch with me through social media @ Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook. Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

    📖 Recipe

    simsim cookies on a plate square

    Simsim/Sesame Cookies (Baksum)

    Crispy Simsim/Sesame Cookies, known as Baksum in the Middle East.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Middle Eastern
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Servings: 36 cookies
    Calories: 86kcal
    Author: Hilda Sterner

    Ingredients

    • 2 eggs
    • ½ cup oil
    • ¾ cup sugar
    • 1½ tsp. vanilla
    • 2¼ cups flour
    • 2 tsp. baking powder
    • ½ tsp. salt
    • 1 tsp. cardamom (optional)
    • ½ cup sesame seeds

    Instructions

    Preheat oven to 375-degree F

    • 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!

    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.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 86kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 64mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g
    Tried this Recipe? Please leave A Star Rating!Mention @HildasKitchenBlog or tag #HildasKitchenBlog!

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    1. Dave Holsted says

      September 30, 2020 at 9:29 pm

      Thank you for the great article. Bookmarked the website.

      Reply
      • Hilda Sterner says

        September 30, 2020 at 10:26 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    2. Beni says

      May 15, 2020 at 7:24 pm

      5 stars
      I tried this recipe and the cookies were amazing! This recipe is a keeper!

      Reply
      • HildaSterner says

        May 15, 2020 at 7:57 pm

        Thanks for the recipe rating! I can't stop eating them. 😬

        Reply
    3. Jenni says

      May 15, 2020 at 8:43 am

      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!

      Reply
      • HildaSterner says

        May 15, 2020 at 2:01 pm

        Hi Jenni,
        Yes, you're right, it is pretty amazing how we're all connected. And now so are our blogs! 😉 Take care!

        Reply

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