Irresistible Soom Tahini Sugar Cookies: A Chewy Delight from The Tahini Table
Embark on a culinary journey that promises to redefine your perception of sugar cookies. These Soom Tahini Sugar Cookies, a standout recipe featured in Amy Zitelman’s acclaimed cookbook, The Tahini Table, offer an extraordinary twist on a beloved classic. Amy, a driving force behind Soom Foods as its CEO and the youngest of the visionary Soom sisters, has dedicated nearly a decade to elevating tahini’s profile in America. Her relentless passion and commitment have made her a pivotal figure in the growing appreciation for this versatile sesame paste. These cookies are more than just a sweet treat; they’re a testament to tahini’s incredible potential in the world of baking, adding a unique depth of flavor and an irresistibly soft, chewy texture that conventional sugar cookies simply can’t match.
Soom Foods: A Legacy Born from a Quest for Quality
The origin story of Soom Foods is as compelling as the tahini they produce. Before their pivotal trip to Israel, Amy and her sisters had never experienced truly exceptional tahini. It was there, through a family relative’s ingenious use of tahini in a carrot cake, that they encountered a revelation. This discovery sparked a quest upon their return to the United States: to find tahini of comparable quality in American grocery stores. Their search proved fruitless, highlighting a significant gap in the market for premium, authentic tahini. This unmet need ignited an entrepreneurial spirit, leading to the birth of Soom Foods.
Determined to fill this void, the Soom sisters embarked on creating their own superior product. Their solution was the Single Sourced Origin Tahini, meticulously crafted from White Humera sesame seeds. These specific sesame seeds, renowned for their exceptional flavor and oil content, are the secret behind Soom’s distinctively smooth and rich tahini. Amy personally took on the mission of introducing this groundbreaking product to the American culinary scene. Traveling across the country, she presented Soom tahini to discerning chefs, offering taste tests against whatever brands they were currently using. It’s safe to say that Soom’s superior creaminess and nuanced flavor almost invariably triumphed, quickly cultivating a vast and loyal following among professional cooks and bakers. Soom Foods didn’t just introduce a product; they spearheaded a movement, fundamentally changing how tahini is perceived and utilized in kitchens nationwide.
My Culinary Awakening: Embracing Tahini with Soom
Before discovering Soom, my relationship with tahini was, to put it mildly, lukewarm. I’d occasionally purchase a jar, typically an anonymous brand, with the sole intention of using about half a cup for a batch of homemade hummus. The remaining tahini would then languish in the back of my refrigerator, slowly solidifying and growing bitter, awaiting another rare occasion for hummus-making. It was a cycle of underutilization and eventual disposal, leading me to believe tahini was a niche ingredient with limited appeal.
This culinary apathy shifted dramatically when a friend, a passionate advocate for quality ingredients, insisted I try Soom tahini. Skeptical but open, I purchased a jar. The difference was astonishing and immediate. Soom tahini boasts a luxuriously creamy texture, far removed from the grainy or thick consistency I had previously encountered. More importantly, its flavor profile was a revelation – complex, nutty, subtly sweet, and entirely devoid of the bitterness that often plagued other brands. It wasn’t merely “good mixed in with things”; it was so delicious that I found myself eating it straight out of the package, a spoonful at a time. This transformative experience converted me into a full-fledged tahini enthusiast, forever changing my approach to this remarkable ingredient. Soom didn’t just offer a better tahini; it opened my eyes to the incredible potential and versatility of high-quality sesame paste.
The Magic of Tahini Sugar Cookies: A Deep Dive into the Recipe
As highlighted earlier, the recipe for these incredible Tahini Sugar Cookies is a shining example from The Tahini Table. Over a recent weekend, I whipped up a quick batch, and the results were nothing short of exceptional. Both my partner, Todd, and I agreed that these cookies transcend the ordinary. The inclusion of tahini does more than just impart a unique, subtly nutty flavor; it also contributes significantly to their desirable texture, making them wonderfully soft and delightfully chewy. This combination of flavor and texture is what sets these cookies apart, elevating them from a simple sugar cookie to an unforgettable gourmet treat.
The cookbook also suggests a brilliant idea for transforming these cookies into an even more indulgent dessert: sandwiching ice cream between them to create homemade ice cream sandwiches. This concept immediately landed on my must-try list, promising a harmonious blend of creamy ice cream and the rich, soft tahini cookie. While I haven’t yet ventured into the ice cream sandwich territory, I did experiment with a delicious variation: a “Snickerdoodle-ish” version. By simply rolling the cookie dough in a fragrant cinnamon sugar mixture before baking, I created a cookie reminiscent of a Snickerdoodle, but without the traditional cream of tartar. These cinnamon-sugar coated tahini cookies maintained their incredible softness and chewiness, quickly becoming my personal favorite “Non-Snickerdoodles.” The hint of cinnamon perfectly complements the nutty notes of the tahini, adding another layer of warmth and spice to an already fantastic cookie.
Sourcing Your Soom Tahini: Where to Buy
Once you experience the superior quality of Soom tahini, you’ll understand why it’s worth seeking out. While I always keep an eye out for Soom products in local grocery stores, my most consistent and reliable source remains Amazon. The convenience of having it delivered right to my door ensures I’m never without this essential ingredient for both sweet and savory applications. As Soom Foods continues to expand its reach, we can hope to see its exceptional products becoming more widely available in brick-and-mortar stores. In the meantime, to find out if Soom tahini is sold near you, I highly recommend checking their official website’s store locator. Investing in high-quality tahini like Soom truly makes a noticeable difference in your recipes, particularly in these delightful Tahini Sugar Cookies.
Recipe
Tahini Sugar Cookies
Pin Recipe
10 minutes
10 minutes
15 minutes
35 minutes
Dessert, Snack
American, Mediterranean
20
Ingredients
-
6
tablespoon
unsalted butter, at room temperature
(84 grams) -
½
cup
Soom Tahini -
½
cup
granulated sugar
(100 grams) -
½
cup
packed light brown sugar
(100 grams) -
¼
teaspoon
fine sea salt -
1
large egg -
1
teaspoon
vanilla extract -
1¼
cups
all-purpose flour
(170 grams) -
½
teaspoon
baking soda -
2
tablespoon
raw sugar
such as demerara or turbinado, and/or sesame seeds (optional, for sprinkling)
Instructions
-
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and arrange two oven racks in the center. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the room temperature unsalted butter, Soom tahini, granulated sugar, packed light brown sugar, and fine sea salt. Use a sturdy wooden spoon or a stand mixer on medium speed to beat these ingredients until they are just combined and have a creamy consistency. Next, mix in the large egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
-
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking soda. Gradually add this dry flour mixture to the wet batter, stirring gently until the flour is no longer visible and a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
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Using a 1-tablespoon measure, scoop mounds of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them approximately 1½ inches apart. Each sheet should comfortably fit about 10 cookies. Lightly wet your hands and gently flatten each dough mound to a thickness of about ⅜ inch. If desired, sprinkle the tops with raw sugar (like demerara or turbinado) or sesame seeds for added texture and a visual appeal. For the characteristic “dots” seen in some photos, gently press the flattened dough with a slotted spatula.
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Bake the cookies for about 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned and the centers are just set. Remember to switch the pans between the oven racks halfway through the baking time to ensure even cooking. Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to firm up before carefully transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. This initial cooling on the pan helps them maintain their shape. Once the baking sheets are at room temperature again, repeat the process with any remaining dough.
Notes
Storage Tip: For optimal freshness, store these delicious Tahini Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. If you’d like to enjoy them longer, they can be frozen for up to 1 month. Simply thaw them at room temperature before serving. This recipe is proudly adapted from The Tahini Table and inspired by the quality of Soom Foods products.
Soom, sugar cookies, Tahini, chewy cookies, baking, dessert
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We encourage you to experience the delightful difference that Soom Tahini brings to these sugar cookies. Whether you stick to the classic version or experiment with the cinnamon-sugar variation, these cookies are guaranteed to become a new favorite in your baking repertoire. Share your creations and let us know how these exceptional Tahini Sugar Cookies from The Tahini Table graced your kitchen!