No-Sugar Sesame Cookies

Brain Healthy Ingredients: Olive Oil & Sesame Learn more

These tasty cookies will fulfill your sweet tooth without added sugar. Plus, the tahini and sesame seeds are a good source of lignans—chemicals that some studies suggest may improve cognitive performance.

Tip:
To make the date paste this recipe calls for, pour 2/3 cup hot water over a cup of pitted medjool dates. Let them soak for an hour, then blend in a food processor. You can use this fruit-based sweetener as a substitute for sugar in smoothies, snacks, and more!

Ingredients (serves 8-12):

• 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ cup tahini
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2/3 cup date paste
• 1/3 cup sesame seeds

Preparation:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Start by combining the flour, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the date paste, tahini, and olive oil.
• Mix the wet ingredients with the dry ones. It should be sticky enough to form into balls. If it’s too sticky, you can thin it a little milk.
• Put the dough in the fridge for 30 to 60 minutes.
• Use your hands to roll dough into 1 ½ inch balls.
• Roll each ball into a bowl of sesame seeds until it is entirely coated.
• Press the ball onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Bake cookies for 10 minutes, or until they’re golden brown.