TOASTED SESAME COOKIES

1/2 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup sweet butter, slightly softened
2/3 cup sugar
2 egg yolks
1 tsp. toasted or roasted sesame oil
1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray.

To toast the sesame seeds, spread the sesame seeds in a large baking pan and bake until light golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.

In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolks and sesame oil. Beat in the flour and 1/3 cup of the toasted sesame seeds until smooth. Drop a rounded teaspoon of dough onto baking sheet, about 2 inches apart, shaping dough into small balls.

Press down on each cookie with the bottom of a glass. Sprinkle the remaining toasted sesame seeds over each cookie and gently press again with the bottom of the glass.

Bake about 15 minutes. Cool on a rack. Repeat with the remaining dough. Store in an airtight container.

Source: Metropolitan Home Magazine, July/August 2005 issue