Gluten Free Honey Sesame Seed Candy

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This homemade honey sesame seed candy is a popular treat that is so easy to make. Naturally gluten free and dairy-free, this popular sesame candy can be made crunchy or soft. It is not only a healthier candy, but it is perfect for holiday gift-giving.

Click for Table of Contents:

• Why this recipe is great:
• What you need to make these:
• Recipe step by step directions:
• Expert tips:
• Common Questions:
• More delicious candy recipes:
• 📋 Recipe

Although our family enjoys this homemade sesame candy around Hanukkah, this honey sesame candy is thought to originate in the Mediterranean, possibly dated all the way back to ancient Greece.

In Italy, they call this sesame candy Pasteli, and many cultures include it in their holiday celebrations. In Hebrew, it is called Sukariyot Soomsoom, and it is the perfect candy to serve for Hanukkah or Rosh Hashanah.

Pack it in a jar, wrap it up, and gift it to someone you love. They will definitely thank you because this truly is the best sesame seed candy!

Why this recipe is great:

If you haven't tried a candy recipe with sesame seeds, you are in for a treat. This sesame candy can be made into sesame crunch, sesame bars, or keep it on the chewy side. This versatile candy is something easy to make in about 15 minutes, not including cooling time.

For those that like this candy on the softer chewy side, you can use cookie cutters to cut this candy into shapes!

What you need to make these:

• Sesame seeds - I highly recommend getting these on Amazon because they are much cheaper to find in a larger quantity compared to the small jars at the grocery store.
• Honey - any type is great. You don't need to use expensive local honey, just make sure what you choose is 100% honey and has no added corn syrup.
• Dark or light brown sugar - either one works perfectly
• Cinnamon
• Ginger
• A non-stick cooking spray - I used a coconut oil one, but any light non-flavored spray will work.

Recipe step by step directions:

Step 1: Begin by spraying or coating a casserole dish or baking pan so the candies will not stick. Grab an ungreased, non-stick skillet and the sesame seeds. Cook over medium heat stirring often until the seeds to become lightly browned and aromatic.

Place the seeds into a bowl and allow them to cool.

Step 2: In your skillet add the brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, and ginger over medium heat. Stir this mixture constantly and bring it to boil.

As soon as the mixture comes to a full rolling boil, begin timing. Allow the mixture to cook exactly two minutes in the pan.

Step 3: When the two minutes are over, remove the skillet from the heat, and add the sesame seeds. Stir quickly until they are completely mixed in.

Step 4: Pour the mixture quickly into the pan you sprayed cooking oil in. Use a metal spoon or spatula that has been dipped into cold water to press the candy into the pan so that it is an even, smooth layer. Let the candy cool for 15 minutes, or until it is only lukewarm to the touch.

Step 5: Gently dump the candy out on a cutting board or table with waxed paper covering it. This is the time to make cuts and have some fun. You can cut the candy into small shapes with cookie cutters, or just cut into squares or rectangles.

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Step 6: Place the cut pieces of sesame honey candy on wax paper. Make sure there is plenty of space around each piece.

Step 7: Cut the wax paper around the candies. Fold the wax paper over the candy, then twist both ends.

Step 8: Store the sesame candy in an airtight container at room temperature. This recipe will make approximately 64 small pieces of candy.

Expert tips:

• You will want to use a silicone mat for this if you have one. It will prevent sticking and a lot of grief when washing dishes. In a pinch, you can use wax paper but you need to move it off quickly so the wax paper doesn't stick permanently.
• Do not buy your sesame seeds in a bulk container. Bulk bins are a huge risk for cross-contamination with gluten!
• You can make this with regular white sesame seeds or black sesame seeds.

Common Questions:

More delicious candy recipes:

• 3 Ingredient Chocolate Bark
• Homemade Chocolate Truffles
• Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Candy
• Easy Pistachio Toffee

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📋 Recipe

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