Sesame Cookies

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 50
• Yields: 50 cookies

Ingredients

• 3⁄4 cup toasted sesame seeds
• 1  cup sugar
• 2 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
• 2  eggs
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1  egg yolk
• 1 1⁄2 cups vegetable shortening

Directions

1. Mix the egg yolk with 1 teaspoon of water.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.
4. Prepare sesame seeds.
5. Reserve 1/4 cup to garnish cookies, coarsely grind remaining seeds.
6. Combine ground sesame seeds, sifted flour, baking powder and baking soda in a bowl.
7. In a mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar until fluffy.
8. Add eggs one at a time and beat until smooth after each addition.
9. Add vanilla and stir to combine.
10. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture a little at a time and mix until well combined.
11. Dough will be moist and pull away from sides of the bowl.
12. Dust a work surface with about 1/4 cup flour.
13. Knead the dough to form a smooth ball.
14. To shape each cookie, roll 1 tablespoon of dough into a ball.
15. Press lightly with palm of your hand on cookie sheet.
16. Place cookies 3 inches apart on cookie sheets; freeze for 20 minutes.
17. Brush cookies with egg wash.
18. Press reserved sesame seeds into dough.
19. Bake for 15 - 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
20. Remove and allow to cool.
21. Store in airtight cookie tin for up to 2 weeks.