Irresistible Homemade Sesame Seed Bars: A Versatile & Wholesome Treat
Sesame Seed Bars hold a special place in my collection of “under-the-radar” recipes – those hidden gems that consistently delight and surprise. Originally, I affectionately named them “Bulk Bin Bars” because their core ingredients, like the diverse trail mix, are often sourced from the wonderful bulk sections of stores such as Sprouts or Whole Foods. However, considering the generous quantity of sesame seeds required, and indeed, how indispensable they are to the very essence of these delectable treats, the name “Sesame Seed Bars” felt more fitting and descriptive. While “Bird Seed Bars” might sound playful, the absence of millet makes it a less accurate moniker. These bars predominantly feature a delightful blend of toasted sesame and sunflower seeds, complemented by an assortment of nuts and dried fruits, all harmoniously bound together by a sticky-sweet matrix of honey, sugar, and rich butter.
The magic of Sesame Seed Bars lies in their surprisingly complex flavor profile and irresistible texture. They are wonderfully flavorful, boasting a delicate nuttiness from the seeds and a comforting richness from the butter and honey. Each bite offers a satisfying crunch, followed by a delightful chewiness that truly surpasses expectations. It’s a common experience for me to receive numerous recipe requests whenever I serve them, which is always a clear sign of their widespread appeal. People are consistently impressed by how a seemingly simple combination of ingredients can yield such an extraordinary homemade snack or dessert.
Why Choose Homemade Sesame Seed Bars?
In a world filled with processed snacks, making your own Sesame Seed Bars offers numerous benefits. Firstly, you have complete control over the ingredients, allowing you to choose high-quality, fresh components and avoid unwanted additives. Secondly, sesame seeds themselves are nutritional powerhouses, packed with healthy fats, protein, fiber, and essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and zinc. Sunflower seeds contribute vitamin E, antioxidants, and more healthy fats. When combined with a variety of nuts and dried fruits, these bars become a wholesome source of sustained energy, perfect for an on-the-go breakfast, a midday snack, or a post-workout refuel.
Beyond the health aspects, there’s an undeniable joy in creating something delicious from scratch. The process of toasting the seeds, chopping the mix, and simmering the sweet binder fills your kitchen with an inviting aroma. The result is not just a treat for the taste buds, but also a comforting reminder of simple, homemade goodness.
Sesame Seed Bars: Versatile Substitutions & Customizations
One of the best qualities of this Sesame Seed Bars recipe is its incredible adaptability. The version I typically make features a high ratio of sesame seeds, which I love for their distinct flavor. However, feel free to experiment and tailor these bars to your personal preferences or what you have on hand. You can easily swap out some of the sesame seeds for a larger quantity of trail mix, or introduce other delightful nut and fruit combinations. Think pumpkin seeds for extra crunch, flax seeds for added omega-3s, or chia seeds for a nutritional boost. Chopped almonds, walnuts, pecans, or even cashews can replace or augment the nuts in your trail mix, adding different textures and flavors.
For the binder, if you’re out of honey or prefer an alternative, light corn syrup combined with a splash of vanilla extract can work beautifully. This substitution will yield a similar sticky consistency and sweetness. If you’re looking for a dairy-free option, I’m quite confident that coconut oil would be an excellent substitute for butter, imparting a subtle tropical note if you choose virgin coconut oil, or a neutral taste if you opt for refined. Don’t hesitate to get creative with your trail mix choices too! Instead of the typical mix, try a combination of dried cranberries, chopped apricots, golden raisins, or even dried cherries for a burst of fruity flavor. Just remember to avoid peanuts if you’re catering to allergies or simply prefer other nuts. If you discover an interesting and successful variation, I would absolutely love to hear about it!
Making Your Bars Even Better: Tips and Tricks
- **Toasting is Key:** Don’t skip the toasting step for the sesame and sunflower seeds, and coconut. This process significantly enhances their nutty flavors and aromas, making the bars infinitely more delicious. Just keep a close eye on them, as they can go from perfectly toasted to burnt very quickly.
- **Uniform Chopping:** The instruction to chop the trail mix into uniform, smaller pieces (no more than ½ inch across) is crucial for an even texture throughout the bar. Large chunks can make the bars harder to cut and more prone to crumbling.
- **Achieving Soft Ball Stage:** The candy thermometer is your best friend here. Reaching 240ºF (soft ball stage) ensures the honey and sugar mixture sets correctly, giving the bars their signature chewy-firm texture. If the temperature is too low, the bars might be too soft; too high, and they could become brittle.
- **Pressing Firmly:** When transferring the mixture to the pan, press down as firmly as humanly possible. This compacts the ingredients, preventing crumbly bars and ensuring they hold their shape beautifully once cooled. Using a second piece of non-stick foil on top allows you to apply pressure evenly without making a mess.
- **Cooling Completely:** Patience is a virtue! Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature before attempting to lift them from the pan and cut them. Rushing this step will result in a sticky, messy situation. Chilling them in the refrigerator after cooling can also make them easier to slice cleanly.
Storage Solutions
These Sesame Seed Bars also happen to be incredibly freezer-friendly, making them perfect for meal prepping snacks or having a treat ready whenever a craving strikes. I recommend wrapping each bar individually in inexpensive sandwich bags. This prevents them from sticking together and helps maintain their freshness. Once wrapped, place the individual bars into a large freezer bag and press out as much air as possible before sealing. Stored this way, they will retain their quality for several weeks, if not months. Simply pull one out a few minutes before you want to enjoy it, and it will thaw quickly to a delicious, ready-to-eat consistency.
More Great Recipes With Sesame
- Sesame Crunch Whipped Cream Pound Cake
- Chocolate Tahini Banana Bread
- Sesame Seed Cookies
- Pan Fried Glazed Tofu
- Barazek Sesame Cookies Recipe
Recipe: Sesame Seed Energy Bars
Sesame Seed Energy Bars
Cookie Madness
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 scant cup raw sesame seeds
- 1 cup raw sunflower seeds
- 1 cup shredded coconut (unsweetened or flaked sweetened)
- 2 slightly heaping cups trail mix (with dried fruit and nuts, avoid peanuts for best results)
- 1 stick (4 oz unsalted butter)
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup honey
- ½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
Instructions
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Begin by preheating your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Carefully line a 9-inch square baking pan with non-stick foil, ensuring it overhangs the sides to create “handles” for easy removal later. This prevents sticking and makes lifting the bars effortless.
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Spread the raw sesame seeds and raw sunflower seeds evenly across a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for approximately 4-6 minutes, or until they begin to turn a light golden color and release a fragrant, nutty aroma. It’s crucial to watch them closely as they can burn very quickly. Once lightly toasted, add the shredded coconut to the baking sheet and continue baking for another 2-3 minutes, or just until the coconut barely starts to turn golden. Immediately remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the toasted mixture to cool completely.
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Prepare your trail mix by using a chef’s knife to carefully chop any larger pieces, such as dried apricots or Brazil nuts, until they are no more than ½ inch across. The primary goal here is to achieve more uniform pieces throughout your trail mix, which ensures a consistent texture in the final bars. If your trail mix already consists of similarly sized components, you can comfortably skip this step. Once chopped (if necessary), combine the prepared trail mix with the cooled, toasted sesame seed and sunflower seed mixture in a large mixing bowl.
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In a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the unsalted butter, salt, honey, and firmly packed light brown sugar. Place the saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves. Continue to cook the mixture without stirring too much until it reaches 240ºF (soft ball stage) on a candy thermometer. This temperature is vital for the bars to set properly. Once it reaches the soft ball stage, promptly remove it from the heat and pour the hot honey mixture directly over the seed and trail mix in the large mixing bowl. Stir thoroughly and quickly to ensure all the dry ingredients are evenly coated with the sticky syrup.
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Transfer the entire mixture into the prepared 9-inch square pan. This amount of mixture might seem like a lot for the pan, but it’s important to press it down as tightly and evenly as possible. You can achieve this by placing another piece of nonstick foil or parchment paper directly on top of the mixture and using your hands or the bottom of a flat glass to apply super hard pressure across the entire surface. The tighter you press, the firmer and less crumbly your finished bars will be.
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Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature, which can take a couple of hours. Once fully cooled and firm, use the foil overhangs to lift the entire slab from the pan. Place it on a cutting board and carefully cut into 16 bars of your desired size. At this stage, they are ready to serve and enjoy immediately. For a chewier and firmer texture, or for longer storage, place the cut bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
Embrace the Joy of Homemade
Whether you’re looking for a wholesome snack to fuel your day, a unique dessert to share with friends, or simply a fun baking project, these Sesame Seed Bars are an excellent choice. Their ease of preparation, combined with their incredible flavor and adaptability, makes them a recipe you’ll return to again and again. Experiment with different nuts, seeds, and dried fruits to create your signature version. Enjoy the process of bringing these “fly-under-the-radar” bars to life in your own kitchen, and savor every delicious, crunchy, and chewy bite!