Sesame Sweets

Sweet treats made from sesame seeds are common to Makar Sankrat/Pongal celebrations. Traditionally, these cookies are made by encasing the filling in the dough and dropping them into hot oil to fry. This version, similar in concept to a thumbprint cookie, is baked and just as tasty.

Yield 2 dozen (serving size: 1 cookie)

Ingredients

* Filling:
* 1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
* 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
* 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
* 2 1/2 tablespoons honey
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
* 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
* 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
*

Dough:
* 2 cups sifted cake flour (about 7 ounces)
* 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 cup chilled butter, cut into small pieces
* 4 to 5 tablespoons ice water
* Cooking spray
* 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

Preparation

Preheat oven to 325°.

To prepare filling, combine first 7 ingredients in a food processor; pulse 6 times or until combined and almonds are finely chopped. Remove almond mixture from food processor; set aside. Wipe processor bowl and blade with a paper towel.

To prepare dough, lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, granulated sugar, and salt in a food processor; pulse 3 times. Add butter; pulse 4 times or just until combined. Add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, pulsing just until combined. (Mixture may appear crumbly but will stick together when pressed between fingers.)

Shape dough into 24 balls. Place dough 2 inches apart on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Press thumb in center of each ball to form an indentation. Fill each indentation with about 1 teaspoon almond mixture. Bake at 325° for 20 minutes or until set. Remove from pan, and cool completely on a wire rack. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Nutritional Information

Calories:
81 (33% from fat)
Fat:
3g (sat 1.1g,mono 1.3g,poly 0.4g)
Protein:
1.1g
Carbohydrate:
12.9g
Fiber:
0.4g
Cholesterol:
5mg
Iron:
0.8mg
Sodium:
40mg
Calcium:
8mg

From Cooking Light.