Cool toasted sesame completely before adding it; warm seeds can soften the butter and make the log hard to shape.
Toasted sesame seeds and fresh orange zest bring a nutty, fragrant finish to thin slice-and-bake shortbread coins.
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Orange Sesame Shortbread Coin Cookies Recipe
Follow the tray sizes, portions and baking intervals in the instructions below.
Total time includes hands-on preparation, required chilling or resting, whole-batch cooking, cooling and finishing.
Kitchen tools you’ll need
- skillet
- mixer
- parchment
- knife
- baking sheets
Ingredients
US measures are approximate. Gram weights help keep portions consistent; spice weights vary with density.
Instructions
Cool and finish
- Cool and finish: Toast sesame seeds in a dry skillet until fragrant and cool completely.
Make the dough or filling
- Make the dough or filling: Rub orange zest into sugar and beat with butter.
Make the dough or filling
- Make the dough or filling: Mix in flour and salt, then fold through sesame.
Chill the dough
- Chill the dough: Shape a 2-inch log, wrap and chill 2 hours.
Bake and set
- Bake and set: Slice 24 rounds about 1/4 inch thick and bake at 325°F (165°C) for 15–18 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
Cool and finish
- Cool and finish: Cool on the sheet.
Chef’s Science & Pro Tips
Ingredient science
Use a medium-low skillet and stir constantly because sesame can scorch quickly.
Technique & texture
Rotate the dough log between cuts for evenly round coins.
Finishing & serving
The orange zest is fresh and aromatic; avoid adding juice to preserve the dough texture.
Storage and make-ahead
| Method | How long | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Room temperature | up to 7 days | Airtight at room temperature up to 7 days. |
| Refrigeration | As described | No refrigeration needed after baking. |
| Raw freezing | up to 1 month | Freeze the wrapped dough log up to 1 month. slice after a short refrigerator thaw. |
| Baked freezing | up to 2 months | Freeze baked coins airtight up to 2 months. |
| Restoring | As described | Thaw uncovered to keep the sesame edge crisp. |
Notes
- Scale ingredients, including US measures, without changing cookie size or oven temperature. Extra trays increase whole-batch time.
Nutrition
Approximate values per portion from the listed ingredient weights divided into 24 equal portions. Includes required fillings and finishes. Brands, unused coatings and actual portion size affect the estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can black sesame replace white?
Yes, use the same weight; the flavor is more pronounced and the appearance darker.
Can I skip toasting the seeds?
You can, though toasting strengthens their nutty aroma.
Why are the coins oval?
The log rested on one side while soft; rotate it during chilling and before slicing.
