Black Sesame Paste Recipe (黑芝麻酱)

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This black sesame paste recipe is so easy to make, and once you discover how addictively delicious it is, you won't be able to stop yourself making it all the time!

Black sesame seed has a more intense and nuttier flavour than white sesame seed, although both are delicious, nutritious and considered superfoods. Black sesame seed is commonly used in Chinese and East Asian cuisine, and black sesame paste is especially popular in desserts.

The secret to the deliciousness of this black sesame paste recipe is toasting the sesame seeds, which gives extra nuttiness to their flavour. Even if I'm using ready toasted sesame seeds, I still like to give them a bit more heat to draw out their fragrant aroma.

Traditionally, many Chinese recipes commonly use lard for flavour and as a binding ingredient, but it can be a bit heavy and greasy in taste. For this black sesame paste recipe, I use coconut oil, making it lighter in texture and vegan friendly. Coconut oil shares similar properties with lard in that it is solid at room temperature and only becomes liquid when heated.

Which means that this black sesame paste recipe can also be stored at room temperature, perfect if you're using it as a spread. If room temperature is on the chilly side and your black sesame paste becomes to solid, just pop it into the microwave for a few seconds to loosen it up.

Use this black sesame paste recipe for all your favourite desserts, including my favourite, glutinous rice balls (汤圆). You can also spread it on toast, rice cakes or crackers for a tasty snack, or enjoy it by the spoonful directly from the jar!

For more black sesame recipes, check out these black sesame cookies for the ultimate hit of black sesame!

Here's what you'll need for this black sesame paste recipe:
(Click here to jump straight to the recipe)

100g toasted black sesame seeds
50g flavourless coconut oil
40g light muscovado (brown) sugar

And here's what you'll need to do:

• Put the sesame seeds in a large frying pan, without any oil, and toast them gently over medium heat. Spread the seeds across the entire base, and toss frequently to make sure they don't burn. If you are using ready toasted sesame seeds, then you only need to warm them until they become fragrant.
• When the seeds start smoking and crackling and produce a toasted aroma, they are done. Set aside to cool completely.

• When the sesame seeds have cooled, put them in a spice grinder, and grind into a fine powder (whilst savouring the delicious toasted sesame smells!) that is smooth and uniform.

• Warm the coconut oil slightly in a bowl until it becomes liquid, and add the sugar. Mix together until smooth and well combined. If your sugar is very clumpy, warm the mixture in the microwave in small 10 second increments until the sugar loosens enough to break apart and mix with the oil.
• Add the ground sesame seeds to the sugar and oil mixture, and stir well to thoroughly combine into a thick paste.

• The black sesame paste is now ready to be used in your favourite dessert recipe, for spreading, or simply to snack on for a quick hit of flavour.

Black Sesame Paste Recipe (黑芝麻酱)

By Wendy | Serves 4

This black sesame paste recipe is super easy to make and is a popular ingredient in East Asian desserts, with its fragrant aroma and nutty flavour.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Mix time: 2 minutes
Yield: 180g
Course: Snack, Dessert, Spread
Cuisine: Modern Chinese
Tags: Chinese Recipes, Dessert Recipes

Ingredients

100g toasted black sesame seeds
50g flavourless coconut oil
40g light muscovado (brown) sugar

Method

1. Put the sesame seeds in a large frying pan, without any oil, and toast them gently over medium heat. Spread the seeds across the entire base, and toss frequently to make sure they don't burn. If you are using ready toasted sesame seeds, then you only need to warm them until they become fragrant.
2. When the seeds start smoking and crackling and produce a toasted aroma, they are done. Set aside to cool completely.
3. When the sesame seeds have cooled, put them in a spice grinder, and grind into a fine powder (whilst savouring the delicious toasted sesame smells!) that is smooth and uniform.
4. Warm the coconut oil slightly in a bowl until it becomes liquid, and add the sugar. Mix together until smooth and well combined. If your sugar is very clumpy, warm the mixture in the microwave in small 10 second increments until the sugar loosens enough to break apart and mix with the oil.
5. Add the ground sesame seeds to the sugar and oil mixture, and stir well to thoroughly combine into a thick paste.
6. The black sesame paste is now ready to be used in your favourite dessert recipe, for spreading, or simply to snack on for a quick hit of flavour.

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