afoona
Sesame and Tahini Cookies (Basic Halva)
Desserts

Sesame and Tahini Cookies (Basic Halva) – Vegan version

Sweet, crisp sesame and tahini cookies with a date syrup aroma - a classic Israeli dessert reminiscent of halva. Vegan version: Date syrup (silan).

⏱ 28 min🍽 8 servings 🌍 Israeli👩‍🍳 Afoona

👨‍🍳 Method

  1. 1
    Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    ⚙ Preheating the OvenOven
    💡Put things in the oven only once it's reached temperature, after the heating light has gone off: an oven that hasn't reached temperature changes baking times, and the bake burns outside or stays underbaked.
  2. 2
    Mix the sesame seeds, cinnamon and salt.
  3. 3
    Add the tahini, date syrup, oil and vanilla and mix into a soft dough.
  4. 4
    Roll tablespoons of dough into balls the size of walnut and place on the baking sheet, spaced apart.
    Baking pan
    💡Roll with damp hands: the soft dough won't stick, and the balls come out smooth.
  5. 5
    Flatten the balls lightly with a fork on the baking sheet.
  6. 6
    Sprinkle a little more sesame over the cookies.
  7. 7
    Bake 15–18 minutes, until the cookies are golden at the edges.
    ⚙ BakingOvenBaking pan
    💡Cookies that look too soft coming out of the oven firm up as they cool. Take them out when just the edges are golden.
    💡Check by the cue (until…), not just the clock: every oven bakes a little differently.
  8. 8
    Let cool completely before serving.
453calories
13 gprotein
22 gcarbs
35 gfat
● protein 11%● carbs 19%● fat 69%

Per serving (84 g), of 8 servings

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⚖ About the ingredients

🔧 Tools needed (2) · 🍳 One cooking vessel

  • Oven · 💡 Workaround, changes the dish: Toaster oven (Fits one small pan; good for small batches) · Air fryer (Small batches only, no runny batters) · Pot (Only for covered stews on the stovetop, no browning on top)
  • Baking pan · Also works: Glass / ovenproof baking dish (None) · Disposable pan (None)

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