Korean Sesame Seed Cookies (GGAE GWA JA)

This recipe is dedicated to a friend who is a very talented person, Fr. Stefano. I wanted to make a cookie that would bring back memories of his childhood in Korea.

These remind me of a butter cookies with sesame seeds added. They spread when baking from the butter and are sweetened with brown sugar and white sugar. In Korea, they are the traditional Christmas cookie.

I didn't know that Korea celebrated Christmas. The website, Christmas in South Korea, states, "There are more Christians in South Korea (the Republic of Korea) than in many other Asian countries such as China and Japan, so Christmas is celebrated more widely. (Christians make up about 25-30% of the population.) However, the other 70% of people in South Korea are Buddhist (about 25%) or don't have a religion. (The Asian country with the most Christians is the Philippines)."

I'd like to think that Christmas is as festive in Korea as it is here in the States. I was happy to see the love of baking Christmas Cookies is shared Worldwide. I was pleased to have found this recipe on the website: "food.com - Mika's Korean Sesame Seed Cookies".

Yes, sorry to disappoint, I did not know how to make Korean cookies before I started the research for this blog.

Let's get baking, you'll need: Bake: 325 degrees 10-12 mins.

1 cup softened butter

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs beaten

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp hot water

1 tsp Vanilla

3 cups sifted flour

3/4 cup toasted sesame seeds

Start by sifting the dry ingredients and set aside. Cream the butter with the sugars and add the eggs. Stir in the vanilla and the hot water. SLOWLY stir in the dry ingredients and sesame seeds.

This step is important: YOU HAVE TO CHILL THE DOUGH AND LET IT REST FOR AN HOUR BEFORE USING IT.

Use a scoop (or spoon) and make 2" balls and place them on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Leave room, these cookies will spread during baking.

Allow them to cool before removing them from the tray.

JEULGYEO! 즐겨

ENJOY!