Five-Spice Black Sesame Potluck Cookies
Crunchy cookies infused with aromatic Chinese five-spice and nutty black sesame seeds, ideal for sharing at gatherings. This asian-inspired desserts ready in about 27 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking soda, Chinese five-spice powder into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 110 calories and feeds 24, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
- 3/4 cup, softened unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup, packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup black sesame seeds
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, beat 3/4 cup softened unsalted butter with 3/4 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar until creamy and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add 1 large egg and 1 tsp vanilla extract, mixing well.
- Step 3: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and stir until just combined. Fold in 1/3 cup black sesame seeds evenly.
- Step 4: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart. Flatten each slightly with the back of a spoon.
- Step 5: Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden and centers are set. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes then transfer to wire racks to cool completely before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Five-Spice Black Sesame Potluck Cookies take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Five-Spice Black Sesame Potluck Cookies?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Five-Spice Black Sesame Potluck Cookies?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Five-Spice Black Sesame Potluck Cookies for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 24 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 24). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Five-Spice Black Sesame Potluck Cookies?
Asian desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
