Salted Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies

When you think of tahini, you might think hummus or baba ganoush, but probably not cookies. That’s a mistake because tahini cookies are a “thing” and they’re absolutely phenomenal. This tahini chocolate chip cookies recipe is sweet, salty and filled with dark chocolate chunks. They’re flecked with sea salt and absolutely irresistible. This NYT chocolate chip cookies recipe is worth making and sharing.

What is tahini?

Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds. It’s a versatile ingredient that can be used to subtly season and flavor many dishes from the aforementioned hummus and baba ganoush to salad dressings and in baked goods like these salted tahini cookies with dark chocolate chunks.

The Minimalist Baker has a recipe to make your own tahini at home, which would be great for these NYT chocolate chip cookies, but don’t feel that you have to make it from scratch. I used the Whole Foods store brand tahini for these cookies.

Ingredients for Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies

I recommend using a stand mixer for combing the ingredients because you really want to blend the sugar, butter and sesame paste into a very fluffy, light mixture and that means a full 10 MINUTES of mixing. You can certainly do it with a hand mixer, but the stand mixer is a set it and forget it option that I appreciate.

How to assemble tahini chocolate chunk cookie dough

1. In a large bowl, combine the butter, sugar and tahini and mix on medium to medium high speed for 5 minutes until the mixture is very light and fluffy. Be sure to stop and scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula every so often.
2. Add the egg, egg yolk and vanilla extract and beat for an additional 5 minutes. The batter will have a very light, whipped quality.
3. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together and whisk to combine.
4. Add the flour mixture to the tahini butter mixture and mix on low speed (so you’re not coated in a dusting of flour) until just combined. Do not over mix the dough.
5. Stir in the chocolate chunks or chips to the tahini cookie batter.
6. Refrigerate for 12 hours or overnight. Yes, you read that right. 12 hours.

Why refrigerate tahini cookie dough?

Refrigerating cookie dough before baking helps to solidify the fats in the cookie and prevents spread when baking.

A cookie dough that hasn’t been chilled tends to be thin and crispy, where chilled dough, holds its form longer, resulting in a chewier interior.

Because sesame seed paste is a thin, pourable paste the tahini cookie dough needs a good, long rest in the refrigerator to set before baking.

How long will tahini chocolate chip cookie dough last in the refrigerator?

You can keep this dough in a sealed container for up to 3-5 days in the refrigerator.

Can you freeze the dough?

If you want to keep it longer, I do recommend freezing it. Tahini chocolate chip cookie dough can be frozen for up to a month. Thaw the dough in the refrigerator before proceeding to bake.

Tips for tahini cookies

• Use a 1 ½ to 2 tablespoon cookie scoop to portion the dough. This will give you a uniform shape and sized cookies that will bake simultaneously.
• Good quality chocolate makes a difference. You can use chocolate chips or a whole chocolate bar (I used a bar of 70% cocoa Lindt chocolate, but Ghirardelli, Scharffenberger or Guittard are all exceptional).

Should I use a silpat or parchment?

It’s important to line your baking sheet before scooping the cookies onto it to prevent the dough from sticking. There are two standout options for lining sheet pans, cookie sheets, etc.: silicone mats and parchment paper.

Both silpats (silicone baking mats) and parchment paper will prevent cookies (and just about everything else from sticking, though there are differences between the two. Choose which works best for you.

Silicone mats (silpat)

• You can find silicone mats in various sizes (my favorite is the half-sheet pan), making it easy to line whatever baking sheet you use.
• Each mat can cost $15-30, depending on the maker.
• Not only do silicone baking mats prevent sticking, but they also add some insulation so cookies don’t brown on the bottom as quickly.
• Cookie dough spreads a little more on a silicone baking mat (about ¼” wider in diameter) than with parchment paper so that the cookies will be slightly thinner.
• Silpats are reusable and, depending on how often you use them, can last from 1 to several years.

Parchment paper

• Parchment paper is readily available at supermarkets, drug stores and online and is much less expensive. Most large rolls are under $10.
• You can customize parchment paper to fit any pan size with scissors.
• Parchment paper is an excellent nonstick surface for just about anything, but it doesn’t provide any insulation, so certain things (like cookies) may brown slightly faster on the bottom. That can be mitigated by watching the cookies closely.
• Cookies will have less spread with parchment paper, giving you a slightly thicker, chewier cookie.
• You can usually use a piece of parchment paper to make an entire batch of cookies, but after that, they’re done.

How do I know when the tahini cookies are done?

The baking time of these cookies can vary by your oven and by the size of your cookie scoop. I’ve given a range of 13 to 16 minutes for the cookies, but you’ll want to check on them at the 10 minute point to look for visual cues .

“Bake tahini chocolate chunk cookies just until the outside starts to turn light brown. The interior of the cookie should be pale. This will ensure a crispy exterior and chewy, interior.“

A sprinkle of sea salt

“After removing the cookies from the oven, immediately sprinkle them with a little flaky sea salt (Maldon or other variety). Don’t over salt, you just want a few crunchy flakes to enhance the cookies.“

To share or not to share

I’ll be honest, I don’t like to keep sweets in the house, because there’s just two of us in the house and we WILL eat any treats within arms reach.

My usual routine is to make the dessert and then share with friends, neighbors, family or send them to work with Scott to share with his co-workers.

Confession:

We didn’t share these salted tahini chocolate chip cookies. Instead, we hoarded them and ate every last one within 2 days. They’re that GOOD!

More exceptional cookies you might like:

• Thin and Crispy Rosemary Shortbread Cookies
• Almond Crescent Cookies
• Calamondin Crinkle Cookies
• Cranberry Pistachio Tea Cookies
• Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

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