Black Sesame Seed Candy Recipe & Directions (Vegan)

Black Sesame Seed Candy Recipe (Vegan)

Guess which ingredients make this delicious vegan treat rich in calcium and iron?

Black sesame seeds are a rich source of calcium and iron. Raw, local, organic honey and coconut palm sugar are some of your healthier choices for sweeteners. Mixing them with some organic ground cinnamon, ginger, flax seeds, and chia seeds yields a healthy, delicious, vegan treat!

Ingredients

• 2 cups sesame seeds (about 12 ounces)
• 1⁄2 cup raw, local, organic honey
• 1⁄2 cup packed coconut palm sugar 
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground ginger
• Optional: 1/4 cup ground flax seeds, and/or 1/4 chia seeds

Directions

• Coat a 9-inch-square baking pan or dish with olive oil, grapeseed oil, or avocado oil; set aside.
• Put the sesame seeds into an ungreased 10-inch skillet (preferably one with a non-stick surface) and stir them over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, or until they are lightly browned and aromatic. Be careful to avoid burning them.
• Carefully transfer the seeds (they will be hot) to a bowl; set aside.
• Add the honey, sugar, cinnamon, and ginger into the skillet and mix them well.
• Slowly bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
• After the mixture comes to a boil, cook it for exactly 2 minutes.
• Remove the skillet from the heat and immediately stir in the sesame seeds until well mixed. Add optional ingredients (ground flax seeds and chia seeds) at this point, if desired.
• Quickly pour the hot mixture into the oiled pan and use a metal or wooden spatula that has been dipped into cold water to press the candy into a very smooth and even layer.
• Cool the candy in the pan for l5 minutes, or until it is solid but still lukewarm.
• Run the spatula around the edge of the candy to loosen it.
• Then drop the whole slab of candy onto a wooden board or other cutting surface.
• Use a round pizza cutter, or sharp knife, to cut the large square of warm candy into very small squares, diamonds, or rectangles.
• Cool the candies completely; then store them in an airtight container at room temperature.

A closer look at black sesame seeds

Below is a reminder of how nutritious black sesame seeds are. Notice how rich they are in calcium and iron.