Sesame Chocolate Cups Recipes

SESAME CANDY

Steps:

• Toast the sesame seeds in a medium pan by stirring at low heat for almost 6-8 minutes. When they are golden brown and give off their fragrance, immediately remove the pan from the heat as they can pop and jump out of the pan like popcorns. They can also easily burn with the heat of the pan. Set aside. Alternatively, you can toast them in the oven by placing them on a baking sheet at 350°F(177°C) until they are golden brown and give off their fragrance.
• Place the sugar in a big pan and let it melt at med-low heat. Don't stir but swirl the pan to avoid crystallization. When some parts of the sugar melt and become liquid and some parts don't melt, use a long heat proof spatula and put the melted sugar on top of unmelted sugar. This step helps melted sugar not to burn but unmelted sugar to melt. Swirl the pan and if there are still some unmelted pieces, start stirring, they will melt shortly.
• As the sugar melts and turns to amber color, remove the pan from the heat immediately and add the toasted sesame seeds and stir. Make sure sesame seeds are mixed with melted sugar evenly. After they all mixed, place the caramelized sesame seeds on to a parchment paper and spread it with a spatula. Be careful as the mixture is very hot. Put another parchment paper on top of the caramelized sesame seeds and level it with a rolling pin. Cut into pieces as you like with a sharp knife while it is still warm.

CHOCOLATE-SESAME CRUNCH BARS

Steps:

• Line a rimmed 9-by-13-inch baking pan with parchment or wax paper.
• In a food processor, pulse cereal until just broken into bits; do not process into a powder. Transfer to a large bowl.
• In the top of a double boiler, combine chocolate and tahini. Stir over simmering water until melted and smooth. Alternatively, melt in the microwave, using short bursts of low heat.
• Pour chocolate mixture over cereal and stir together quickly.
• For bars, spread mixture in the prepared pan. It should be about 1/2-inch thick; you may need to push the mixture toward one end and level it if it does not quite fill the pan. For rounds, drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto prepared pan and use the back of the spoon to form into circles. Refrigerate until hardened, about 2 hours.
• To serve, cut into bars or squares, or serve rounds as cookies. Any extras can be crumbled and used as an ice cream topping. Store in the refrigerator.

CHOCOLATE SESAME BALLS

Steps:

• Fit a large heavy pot with a deep-fry thermometer. Heat 2 inches of oil to 350 degrees F.
• Place the rice flour and baking powder in a large heatproof bowl, then whisk to combine and set aside. Combine the brown sugar, salt and 1 cup water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring so that the sugar dissolves. Remove it from the heat and stir it into the rice flour to form a thick, sticky, doughy batter. Let it cool slightly, for about 5 minutes, then turn it onto a surface liberally dusted with rice flour. Knead it, adding more flour as needed, until it is just smooth enough to handle (this may take quite a bit more flour, up to 1/3 cup), for about 2 minutes. It should still be slightly sticky. Divide it into 12 balls and cover them with plastic wrap.
• Place the sesame seeds in a small bowl or on a plate. To shape, flatten each ball slightly with your thumb, add about 3/4 teaspoon chocolate hazelnut spread and then gather up the sides and pinch to seal shut. Roll it in the sesame seeds to coat it all over, brushing with a bit of water if it's too dry for the seeds to stick.
• Fry the balls in batches until they're browned, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a plate lined with a paper towel. Let cool slightly and serve. These are best enjoyed immediately.

SESAME CHOCOLATE CUPS

Steps:

• Chocolate and tahini: Place milk chocolate in large bowl over a pot of barely simmering water, making sure the bowl does not actually touch the water. As the chocolate melts, stir with a rubber spatula until smooth. Remove from heat, wipe bottom of bowl, and place on a dry towel on the countertop.
• Fold in tahini in three batches, turning bowl until well combined. Fold in half the butter; when it's fully combined, slowly stir in the rest until very smooth, making sure there are no air bubbles. Note: It is necessary to completely emulsify the tahini. Empty jar into the bowl of a mixer and beat, using paddle attachment, until smooth and oil is combined, about 30 seconds on medium speed. This can also be done by hand, by whisking until very smooth and oil is combined. Keep at room temperature.
• Assembly: Place foil cups into mini muffin pans. Fill each to the top of the foil cup with chocolate-tahini mixture. Tap the pan on the countertop to settle the mixture. Sprinkle a few toasted sesame seeds in the center of each candy. Refrigerate until set, 1 hour. Remove from pans and devour.