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Sesame Oil Cookies
The recipe for Sesame Cookies (Sisamota) can be found in every Cretan grandmother's recipe book. They are among the most beloved traditional treats and the perfect companion to morning coffee or tea. Based on extra virgin olive oil, fresh orange juice, and the warm aromas of cinnamon and cloves, this recipe offers the perfect balance of rich flavor and an incredibly crunchy texture.
What you will need
for the dough
- 500 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 370 g granulated sugar
- 250 ml fresh orange juice
- 120 ml raki or cognac
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder
- 1 teaspoon cloves powder
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 20 g baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ammonium bicarbonate (baker's ammonia)
- Approx. 1,000 - 1,200 g all-purpose flour
for the sesame coating
- 200 g sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon raki or cognac
1The recipe step to step
- 1
Measure and prep all ingredients.
- 2
In a bowl, mix the flour with the baking powder and set aside. Also, set aside 200 g of flour. You will use it gradually in the final stage of the dough.
- 3
In another larger bowl, beat the olive oil and sugar with a wire whisk.
- 4
Add and stir in the raki (or cognac), cinnamon, cloves, and lemon zest until well combined. Divide the orange juice into two glasses. Holding one glass over the bowl, add the baking soda and stir with a spoon. Let the foamy juice overflow into the mixture. Repeat the same process with the ammonia in the second glass.
- 5
Mix the liquid ingredients until well combined.
- 6
Add half of the flour and mix by hand until fully incorporated into the mixture. Continue adding the remaining flour gradually. Small amounts of the last 200 g of flour are poured onto your hand. This helps clean the dough off your skin and ensures it is fully incorporated into the mixture, and also, this helps you feel the true texture of the dough, preventing you from adding unnecessary extra flour to the bowl. If necessary, add a little more flour until you have a pliable dough that does not stick to your hands. Do not over-knead and avoid adding too much flour, as this will make the cookies hard.
- 7
Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rest for 30 minutes
- 8
In a shallow bowl, mix the sesame seeds with 1 tablespoon sugar and 1 tablespoon raki or cognac until the seeds are slightly moistened.
- 9
Take small pieces of dough (about 20g each) and shape them into small logs (about 10cm long). Roll them in the sesame mixture to coat evenly and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- 10
Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 20 minutes. Let them rest on the tray for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Bon Appetite - Kali orexi
Tips & Notes
- •Serving Suggestions: Coffee & Tea: Ideal for "dunking" into Greek coffee, espresso, or herbal mountain tea. The Cretan Way: Serve as a traditional treat with a chilled glass of Raki. Breakfast: A perfect healthy snack for kids with a glass of cold milk. Yogurt Topping: Crumble them over Greek yogurt with honey and walnuts for a quick dessert.
- •Ammonium bicarbonate has a strong odor, which disappears completely during baking, leaving the cookies incredibly crispy!
- •These cookies stay crispy if they cool completely before storing in an airtight cookie container.
