Korean Sesame Cookies (GGAE GWA JA)

Amazing taste, who knew!

My landlords are Korean who are very nice and gentle people, full of smiles and kindness.

Christmas came and in the past I have always made a care package of my traditional Christmas Baking for them. It was always accepted with a smile. But I always wondered, did they really like shortbread's and Nanaimo Bars?

This past Christmas I wanted to make them something that maybe they could not get easy access to. After many hours of google searches, I found, what they said, were traditional Christmas cookies in Korea.

At first you bite into one, the taste is bland, but by the second bite, wham, a burst of Sesame flavor and you can't stop eating them.

So here is the recipe if anyone would like to try them out. Trust me when I say you will love them.

Sesame Cookies

1 cup butter (REAL, NO substitutions)
3⁄4 cup brown sugar
3⁄4 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon hot water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups flour
3⁄4 cup toasted sesame seeds

Start by toasting the sesame seed in a pan on medium heat. Keep stirring them until they are a nice brown color.

Cream butter with brown and white sugars. Add eggs and beat well. Add baking soda, hot water and vanilla extract.
Mix well.

Stir in flour and sesame seeds to make a stiff dough. Cover and chill until dough is firm.

Roll heaping teaspoonfuls into balls; place on greased baking sheet, about 2" apart. Flatten slightly. Bake at 325 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

I hope if any of you do try this recipe, please let me know what you thought of them.