Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Master these homemade tahini chocolate chip cookies with their perfect balance of nutty sesame flavor and rich chocolate. The best easy baking recipe for cookies with crispy edges and chewy centers that everyone will love - the secret is in the tahini!

Difficulty:

Beginner

Prep Time:

15 mins

Cook Time:

12 mins

Serves:

18 cookies

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">170g unsalted butter, softened</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">120g tahini (sesame seed paste)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">100g granulated sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">150g light brown sugar, packed</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 large egg</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 large egg yolk</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tsp vanilla extract</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">240g all-purpose flour</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp baking soda</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp baking powder</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp sea salt, plus extra for sprinkling</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">200g dark chocolate, roughly chopped (or chocolate chips)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)</li></ul>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size: 1 cookie

🔥 Calories: 245 calories

🥑 Fat: 14 g

🧈 Saturated Fat: 7 g

🍞 Carbohydrates: 28 g

🍭 Sugar: 18 g

🍗 Protein: 4 g

🫀 Cholesterol: 45 mg

🧂 Sodium: 170 mg

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Stand mixer or electric hand mixer</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Baking sheets</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Parchment paper</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Cookie scoop or tablespoon</li></ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Begin by creaming together the softened butter, tahini, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or use a hand mixer) on medium-high speed for about 3-4 minutes. This extended creaming creates air pockets for a lighter texture and helps dissolve the sugar crystals for a chewy interior. The mixture should become noticeably lighter in color and fluffy in texture.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Add the egg and egg yolk one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. Then mix in the vanilla extract. The extra egg yolk adds richness and contributes to the cookies' chewy texture. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure even mixing.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined. The baking soda and powder work together to give the perfect rise while maintaining chewiness.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, which can develop the gluten in the flour and result in tough cookies. You should stop mixing as soon as no dry flour is visible.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Gently fold in the chopped chocolate by hand using a rubber spatula. Using chopped chocolate instead of chips creates melty chocolate pockets of various sizes throughout the cookies, enhancing both texture and flavor. Reserve a small handful to press into the tops of the cookies before baking if desired.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Cover the dough with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the surface, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours. This resting period allows the flour to fully hydrate and the flavors to develop. The sesame notes from the tahini will become more pronounced with longer chilling.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Let the dough sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to make it easier to scoop if it's very firm from refrigeration.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion the dough into 45g balls (about 2 tablespoons), placing them at least 5cm apart on the prepared baking sheets. The cookies will spread during baking, so give them plenty of room.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4>If using, sprinkle each cookie with a few sesame seeds and a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt. Then press any reserved chocolate pieces into the tops. These finishing touches add visual appeal and enhance the tahini's nutty flavor.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 10</h4>Bake for 11-13 minutes until the edges are set and golden brown, but the centers still look slightly underbaked. This is the secret to chewy centers! The cookies will continue cooking slightly on the hot baking sheet.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 11</h4>Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. The cookies will firm up during this time but maintain their chewy centers.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 12</h4>Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, though they're at their absolute best within the first 2 days. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months, or freeze the portioned dough to bake fresh cookies whenever the craving strikes!</li></ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies?

Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies combine softened butter, tahini paste, granulated and brown sugars, eggs, vanilla, all-purpose flour, baking soda and powder, sea salt, and dark chocolate chunks. Optional sesame seeds make a decorative garnish that enhances the tahini flavour.

How to cook Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies at home?

Learn how to cook Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies by creaming butter, tahini and sugars, adding eggs and vanilla, then mixing in dry ingredients and chocolate chunks. After chilling the dough for at least 2 hours, scoop portions onto lined baking sheets and bake at 180°C for 11-13 minutes until edges are golden but centres remain soft for that perfect chewy texture.

Why should I chill the cookie dough before baking?

Chilling cookie dough for at least 2 hours allows the flour to fully hydrate and flavours to develop, particularly enhancing the tahini's sesame notes. It also prevents excessive spreading during baking, resulting in cookies with the perfect balance of crispy edges and chewy centres.

Can I substitute regular chocolate chips for the chopped chocolate?

Yes, you can use chocolate chips instead of chopped chocolate, but chopped chocolate creates varied pockets of melty goodness throughout the cookies. For the best texture contrast and flavour distribution, roughly chopped dark chocolate bars are recommended over uniform chips.

What makes these cookies different from traditional chocolate chip cookies?

The addition of tahini (sesame paste) gives these cookies a distinctive nutty flavour profile and contributes to their exceptionally chewy texture. The sesame undertones create a sophisticated, Middle Eastern-inspired twist that elevates them beyond the classic chocolate chip cookie experience.

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