Sesame Christmas Cookies

I don't specifically remember Mom making these cookies, but they are delicious. This cookie is similar to ones that you might find in an Italian bakery. There may be variations in the dough, shape and other garnishes, but you will find a cookie coated in sesame seeds. The cookies are not too sweet, as you might guess based on the relatively small amount of sugar used. But like so many Italian cookies, try dipping them in coffee for a tasty treat.

The combination of almond, sesame and strawberry create a delicious cookie. I followed Mom's recipe, but other flavors could easily be substituted. For example, you could use anise extract instead of almond. You could use cherry or apricot preserves instead of strawberry. Or, you could leave out the preserves entirely. I created the round shape that the recipe called for, but often, these cookies are often made into the shape of logs to make dipping into coffee easier.

Sesame Christmas Cookies 

• 1 cup butter
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. almond extract
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 cups flour
• sesame seeds (about 1 cup)
• strawberry preserves

Preheat the oven to 400. Cream the butter and sugar. Blend in the almond extract and salt. Add flour; mix well. Shape tablespoons of the dough into balls and roll in sesame seeds. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Indent the center of each cookie and fill with preserves. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until just beginning to turn brown. Allow to cool. Enjoy!