SMILING SESAME COOKIE BALLS
The week before CNY is all about decluttering & deep cleaning the house as you can’t do this on the day. It’s also all about getting food & treats ready for New Years Eve & the day.
One of the Chinese New Year treats I’ve been making are these lovely Smiling Sesame Cookie Balls. It’s a fantastic cookie for all ages as it’s not too sweet & who doesn’t like little balls of fried dough.
I’ve had a few request for this recipe so here it is…
Smiling Sesame Cookie Balls
Serves: Approx 50 balls
Total time: Approx 2 hrs
INGREDIENTS:
- 3 cups plain flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp bicarbonate soda
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 6 tbsp water
- 2 tbsp veg oil
- 2 egg
- approx 300g white sesame seeds
- vegetable oil for frying
METHOD:
Mix flour, baking powder & bicarbonate soda in a bowl.
In a small saucepan add sugar, water & mix well until sugar dissolves under a low heat. As soon as the sugar dissolves pour into a large mixing bowl & let it cool.
Add 2 tbsp veg oil, eggs to the cooled syrup & whisk.
Gradually add the flour mix to the syrup & mix with wooden spoon – you might have to use your hand to make sure it’s all combined. The dough will be slightly sticky so cover & put into the fridge to chill for about an hour to firm up.
After chilling, have a large bowl of cold water & bowl of the sesame seed ready.
With floured hands, roll dough into 2cm balls, dunk balls into the cold water using a sieve – make sure to remove as much water as possible before rolling it into the sesame seed (6-7 balls at a time).
Fry in batches on a medium heat in a wok full of veg oil (2 x height of balls) for approx 5 minutes till golden brown. Make sure to constantly turn the balls & turn down heat a little if it browns too quickly.
Remove balls using another sieve & place on kitchen paper. Let the sesame balls cool a little before you eat it.
These are pretty moreish so great to make loads in one go. It’ll keep for about a week in an airtight container.
Enjoy!
