CHEF JEFF — ONE BYTE AT A TIME: Simple Sesame Cookies

This recipe mirrors a winning one in a 1980s Ladies Home Journal contest.

Simple Sesame Cookies

1 cup sesame seeds

2 cups butter, at room temperature

1½ cups granulated sugar

3 cups flour

2 cups sweetened shredded coconut

½ cup finely chopped almonds

Toast sesame seeds in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat, shaking often, until golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside.

Beat butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Stir in the flour until just combined. Stir in toasted sesame seeds, coconut and almonds.

Divide dough into three equal portions, form each into a 2-inch diameter log, wrap well in wax paper and refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight.

Heat oven to 300 degrees. Slice dough into ¼-inch thick rounds. Place about 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets and bake 12 to 14 minutes, until browned as you prefer. Transfer to wire racks to cool. Store in airtight container.

Yield: About 4 dozen cookies.

Approximate nutritional analysis per cookie: 161 calories, 60 percent of calories from fat, 10.8 grams fat (6.3 grams saturated), 20.3 milligrams cholesterol, 1.6 grams protein, 15 grams carbohydrates, 0.9 grams fiber, 66 milligrams sodium.

Grab more food tidbits at the Chef Jeff blog at

GrandForksHerald.com.

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