Sesame Seed Lime Complexion Cookies

This recipe is a modification of an original recipe for Sesame Orange Cardamom Cookies by Marie Claire Britton in the April 2018 issue of Real Simple Magazine. Her original recipe can be found here:  https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/sesame-cookies-with-cardamom-orange-zest


Sesame Oil and Sesame Seeds have been used in Ayurvedic Skincare for hundreds of years. Sesame Seeds have an abundance of minerals and vitamins and are great for your skin. In this recipe, I used hulled white sesame seeds. Unhulled are technically healthier, but the hull is a bit bitter and I didn't want bitter cookies. I got these ones: https://amzn.to/2BoNEOE

In addition to the Sesame, this recipe uses Raw Honey and Maple Syrup. Honey is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, and Maple Syrup has a variety of natural minerals and antioxidants. The darker versions are supposed to be higher in nutritional value. You can probably get great local honey at your grocery store. Pure maple syrup can be a little pricey, but this is a great organic one at a good price: https://amzn.to/3jAUxhe

Cardamom is known as the Queen of Spices. It's got a really unique flavor and improves digestion as well as freshens breath. Ground Cardamom, you want to make sure you're getting the seeds. If you get the pods, the spice is not as strong or flavorful. It's a bit expensive but there's really no substitute and you only need a little bit and it lasts a long time. This is the awesome spice that gives Chai Tea it's amazing flavor. You can even put a sprinkle in your tea, coffee, or smoothies. Here is a good one: https://amzn.to/39lbI1B 

OK, let's make some cookies!  

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Toast 1 cup of Sesame Seeds on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for 10 minutes. Cool them off completely before using. You will likely have some sesame seeds leftover, but you can have them on salads.

Bowl #1 - Dry Ingredients:

1 and 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cardamom seeds
1 teaspoon Ceylon Cinnamon
A Sprinkle of Nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda

Whisk together with a fork.

Bowl #2 - Wet ingredients:

1/2 cup softened butter or coconut oil
1/3 cup cane or white sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar (packed)
1/3 cup TOTAL of either honey, maple syrup, or both together

Blend using a blender for 2 minutes

Add in

1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon Lime Zest (or you could use Orange or Lemon)

Blend again using the blender.

Fold the dry ingredients into the wet in a few parts and mix together with a spoon or spatula.

Fold in 3/4 cup of the toasted sesame seeds

Drop using a tablespoon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

These will look small but they expand a LOT.

Sprinkle some more of the sesame seeds on top of each cookie before baking.

Bake for 10 minutes.

Cool completely before eating.

Enjoy your cookies!