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Monday, September 26, 2011

Chocolate Sesame Cookies ...inspired by Just Desserts for Food 'n Flix

Our chosen flick for the month over at Food 'n Flix for September was the Hallmark film Just Desserts.  An unlikely partnership is formed between Grace, an uptight, classically trained restaurant pastry chef and Marco, a seemingly rough-around-the-edges (but also classically trained) baker.   In an effort to save his family's bakery, Marco woos Grace with the promise of a partnership that consists of "just desserts" in order to win the Golden Whisk Competition, which is considered the "Olympics of Desserts" and the $250,000 prize that goes with it.

Practice sessions, butting of heads, and ultimately attraction ensue on their quest to victory.  While they are confident in their ability and their passion to win, they do contemplate using their "secret ingredient" given to them by Marco's uncle.  But, as life in the kitchen usually goes, the secret ingredient turns out to be love...because "true love has true flavor".  I'll be honest, this movie was pretty bad.  Bad acting, cheesy predictable plot (and I'm a lover of chick flicks).  But I'm not one to let a less than stellar flick dissuade me from baking up something tasty.  While cookies probably wouldn't win any pastry competitions...okay, they wouldn't (no probably about it)...I think the amazing chocolate and sesame combination in these cookies are worth raving about.  Different, yet familiar.  Nutty and seedy and super rich and fudgy.  I bet they'd even make watching this movie a little more enjoyable.
Chocolate Sesame Cookies
yield: ~2 dozen cookies

8 oz. 60% Bittersweet Chocolate, chopped
1 oz. (2 Tbs.) unsalted butter
1.5 oz. (3 Tbs./42 g.) tahini (sesame seed paste)
2/3 c. (3 oz./85 g.) all-purpose flour
½ tsp. (3 g.) baking powder
½ tsp. (3 g.) fine sea salt
2 large eggs
¾ c. (6.3 oz./179 g.) packed dark brown sugar
1 tsp. (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
½ c. (2.8 oz./80 g.) sesame seeds, toasted
Bring a small saucepan of water to boil.  Set a small bowl over (to make a double-boiler), then add chocolate and butter, stirring often, until melted and smooth.  Remove from heat and stir in tahini.  Set aside.

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl and set aside.  Beat eggs in a large bowl until light and frothy.  Add dark brown sugar and vanilla and beat until mixture is again light and frothy.  Pour in slightly cooled chocolate mixture and mix.  Add reserved dry ingredients and beat until just combined.  Cover bowl with plastic wrap.  Refrigerate 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
Preheat oven to 350° F.  Place toasted sesame seeds in a bowl.

Scoop dough out in ~1 Tbs. portions.  Roll between your hands quickly to form a ball.  Roll in sesame seeds and place 1½-2" apart on a lined cookie sheet.  

Slide into oven and bake for ~12 minutes, or until the cookies have puffed and begun to "crack" in spots, and the bottoms are set.  Let sit for a couple minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.  Cookies will be moist, chewy, and deliciously fudgy.
 "Do you really think dessert can bring two people together?"

I'm sending this over to Tina at Life in the Slow Lane at Squirrel Head Manor who is hosting Food 'n Flix this month with her chosen film, Just Desserts.  Next month's pick is Ratatouille, so start thinking of what you want to make now!
Food‘nFlix


I am also sharing this post with:
Tasty Tuesdays 33 shades of green TastyTuesdayBB a little birdie told me rook no. 17 hearthnsoul150 SweetToothFriday

Would you like to comment?

  1. I do like how you tell it like it is! These cookies look good to me, I can't turn down chocolate! Interesting with the sesame seeds.

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  2. These are beautiful! It's signaling the holidays!

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  3. Stunning photos! wonderful recipes... you did the linky proud

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  4. Aren't these cookies about the cutest thing you've ever seen. Sorry to hear the film Just Desserts was a disappointment. We enjoyed Ratatouille by the way.
    Sam

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  5. Just love it, the cookies I mean.
    And the movie description. Sounds like our hindi movie plot. predictable but u watch it.
    I am hosting Fast Food not Fat Foot event. Do check out my event and send me your entries.

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  6. These cookies are beautiful to look at, both baked and unbaked!

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  7. These almost remind me of truffles; they sure look good. To maddening when you are expecting a good story and it bombs.
    Rita

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  8. Awesome photos and a great recipe post. Thanks for sharing this!

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  9. Aren't those unique and pretty. They look like of like those chocolate candies...nonpareils? Are those candies just American? Anyways, so dainty and so lovely.

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  10. These remind me of my marathon cookies...but...better cause they're chocolate. Sorry the movie was bad but you for sure made up for it with these!

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  11. Lovely cookies!
    Tehini and chocolate is a great combination, and it's something that we love.
    Must try this recipe soon.
    Thanks!

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  12. The first photo is absolutely stunning and got me wondering what those beautiful balls were...reminded me of the filled sesame balls at a Dim Sum place. What brilliant colors and equally tasty chocolate sesame balls!! Congrats on a job well done:)

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  13. Que pasada de galletas, me encantan.

    Saludos

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  14. Cute and lovely cookies. I am sure that they tasted great..

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  15. I know I am on the wrong post but I do want to comment on these cookies also. They are stunning and I imagine crunchy. I would never come up with this pairing but now I have to try it.

    I did make the "sauteed cheese", my name for it. I owe you big time. The cheese is delicious. I tried four different cheeses. Two melted down and two kept a shape. All were yummy. I blogged about them and everyone was enthusiastic. Thanks for sharing the recipe and all you do for your fellow bloggers.

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  16. sorry about the cheesy movie, but the cookies like a winner!!

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  17. Typical Lifetime movie....but these cookies look awesome.

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  18. These cookies look so fun and unique. Never really seen anything like it before.

    I wasn't on the ball with food 'n flix this month. It totally slipped my mind.

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  19. Visiting from Rook No. 17's A Little Birdie Told Me...linky party. These look delicious. And dangerous. Thanks for sharing!

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  20. Hi Heather,
    I just love a great Sesame Cookie and to add chocolate puts it over the top. These cookies are awesome!
    Thanks for sharing and hope you are having a great day!
    Miz Helen

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  21. Que ricas se ven lucen espectaculares y deliciosas me encantaron,felicitaciones muy original,abrazos,hugs,hugs.

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  22. Never tried sesame with chocolate. Curious to try it now.

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  23. We make similar cookies without chocolate this one is sure addictive. Thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop.

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  24. These cookies look divine! :) I'll have a dozen please. :)

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  25. I've never seen these two together as a combination, but it looks like it might be interesting!! Thanks for the recommendation.

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  26. What an interesting cookie. Tahini is something I don't have though, maybe I should add that to the pantry. I am a chick flick lover too, and there are only a small handful that I have not liked, and if that's the case, I know it is bad! Excited to see what you cook up for Ratatouille though - such a great movie.

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  27. Ooh, I just saw these, and I have no doubts I would adore them!

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  28. These are beautiful! Thanks for sharing with the Hearth and Soul.

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  29. Heather, the cookies not only look stunning with their sharp color contrast, but they sound delicious!

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  30. What wonderful cookies, Heather! I'd love to serve these with the coffee at a dinner party. The flavours sound amazing and they look wonderful too. Thank you so much for sharing them with the Hearth and Soul hop. I've chosen them as one of my highlights this week :-)

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  31. I'm back. My husband got this film from Netflex and we watched it last night because he thought I would like it because it's about food.

    He loved it. It was predictable and the acting wasn't so great (even silly sometimes), but anytime he loves something, so do I. So surprise - a man loves it. Maybe it says men believe "in love conquers" all after all. Sweet if you think about it (smile).
    Sam

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  32. Hey my friend, it has been too long since I had a chance to catch up with my old blogging buddies.  Of course these look amazing.  perfect shots and a great recipe.  Saw the movie as a streaming option with Netflix... needed Bacon.

    And BTW, I am getting lots of searches for Thanksgiving dishes already (only 3 weeks!!!)  Do you have any of your back stock you would want to share with eRecipeCards... Pies were big last weekend and just today i have had 10 searches for dressing... The crush is starting!Dave

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  33. OMG those look so delicious! I am definitely going to be making these this weekend, thanks for the recipe!

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