Have you ever had Chinese sesame candy before? Chinese sesame candy is popular as a snack or dessert in Chinese cuisine. It is enjoyed by people around the world for its unique taste. This sesame candy can be found in various forms, from individually wrapped bars to larger sheets that are cut into smaller pieces. Chinese sesame candy offers a delightful blend of nutty flavor and crunchy texture.
Jump To
You can enjoy this traditional snack during the festive celebrations of the Chinese Lunar New Year or simply enjoy them as homemade treats. Now, let's dive into the Chinese sesame candy, exploring its ingredients, preparation, and so much more:
What is Chinese sesame candy, and how does it taste?
Chinese sesame candy, or "sesame brittle" or "sesame snap," is a traditional Chinese sweet treat made primarily from sesame seeds, sugars, and sometimes peanuts. It offers a delightful balance of sweetness and nuttiness.
Sesame candy holds a significant place in Chinese culinary traditions. Chinese people often enjoy it during festive occasions like Chinese New Year; nowadays, it is a very well-known popular snack on every occasion. You can find it in Asian markets, and it is enjoyed by people of all ages.
To make it, sesame seeds are toasted and mixed with caramelized sugar syrups, then flattened into thin, crispy sheets or bars. The taste of Chinese sesame candy is a delightful combination of nutty, toasty flavors from the sesame seeds and a sweet, caramelized taste from the sugar. The texture is crunchy and brittle, similar to peanut brittle. It often has a hint of saltiness, which balances out the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor. Overall, Chinese sesame candy's a delicious blend of sweet and savory, making it a popular snack in Chinese cuisine.
Basic ingredients
Black sesame seeds: They provide the main flavor and texture of the candy. When toasted, they release their nutty flavor, which is characteristic of sesame candy.
White sesame seeds: Similar to black sesame seeds, roasted white sesame seeds add flavor and texture to the candy as well. They are often used alongside black sesame seeds to provide a visual contrast and a slightly different taste. You can substitute the white sesame seeds with black sesame seeds if you want.
Peanut: Roasted peanuts contribute an additional flavor and crunchy texture to the candy. Feel free to leave peanut out if you are allergic to peanuts or have other health concerns.
Maltose (Mai Ya Tang: 麦芽糖, Mài yá táng) in Chinese refers to maltose, a type of sugar derived from malted grains, typically barley. It is commonly used in Chinese cuisine as a sweetener and thickener in desserts. Maltose has a sweet taste and a thick, sticky consistency, making it ideal for applications such as candy making. It adds a unique flavor and helps bind all the ingredients together. You can get it from any Asian market.
Water: Water is used to dissolve and cook the sugar, forming the candy syrup. It helps achieve the desired consistency of the syrup, which is important for evenly coating the sesame seeds and peanuts.
Vegetable oil: Vegetable oil is often added to the candy mixture to prevent it from sticking to the cooking surface and to aid in shaping the candy. It also adds moisture and helps bind the ingredients together.
White Sugar: Sugar is the primary sweetener in sesame candy. Sugar and maltose are dissolved in water to create a syrup that coats sesame seeds and peanuts. As the syrup cools and solidifies, it forms the hard, brittle texture characteristic of Chinese sesame candy.
Instructions for crafting the Chinese sesame candy
You can skip this step if you have ready-to-make roasted sesame seeds like me. Otherwise, In a dry skillet over medium-low heat, toast the black and white sesame seeds separately until fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Remove from heat and set aside. This enhances their nutty flavor and aroma.
Grind the roasted peanut into smaller pieces. Set aside. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, maltose, vegetable oil, and water. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and starts to bubble about 2-3 minutes.
Quickly add the toasted sesame seeds and peanuts to the sugar mixture, stirring until evenly coated. Pour the mixture onto a silicone mat or a lined parchment paper baking tray. This will prevent the candy from sticking and make it easier to remove once it has cooled.
Then, use a rolling pin to flatten it into an even layer, about ¼ inch thick. While still warm, cut the candy into small pieces using a sharp knife or pizza cutter. Let it cool at room temperature until firm. Enjoy!
Pro tips
Here are some pro tips to help you make Chinese sesame candy:
Watch the sugar syrup closely: When making the sugar syrup, monitor it closely to prevent it from burning.
Allow sufficient cooling time: Let the candy cool completely at room temperature before attempting to cut it into pieces. This will ensure that it hardens properly and maintains its shape.
Experiment with flavors: Feel free to experiment with different flavors and additions, such as honey, ginger, or even a sprinkle of sea salt.
By following these pro tips, you'll make this delicious Chinese sesame candy in no time!
Storage
Once cooled, store the sesame candy in an air-tight container at room temperature. If you are stacking multiple pieces of sesame candy, consider placing parchment or wax paper between each layer to prevent sticking.
It's generally best to avoid refrigerating sesame candy, as the cold temperatures can cause it to become excessively hard or change its texture.
Final thoughts
Chinese sesame candy is a delightful sweet treat that offers a perfect blend of nutty, toasty flavors and sweet caramelized goodness. Its crispy texture and sweet yet nutty flavor make it a winning snack. Whether you are trying this candy for the first time or enjoyed it as a childhood snack, it is one of the best of all Chinese sweet treats. Do not forget to save some as a gift for friends and family. 🙂 Happy snacking!
Chinese Sesame Candy Recipe - Old Fashioned Brittle
Ingredients
- ½ cup roasted black sesame seeds
- ½ cup roasted white sesame seeds
- ¼ cup roasted peanut
- 2 tablespoons maltose (Mai Ya Tang)
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- ⅓ cup sugar
Instructions
- You can skip this step if you have ready-to-make roasted sesame seeds like me. Otherwise, In a dry skillet over medium-low heat, toast the black and white sesame seeds separately until fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Remove from heat and set aside. This enhances their nutty flavor and aroma.
- Grind the roasted peanut into smaller pieces. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, maltose, vegetable oil, and water. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and starts to bubble about 2-3 minutes.
- Quickly add the toasted sesame seeds and peanuts to the sugar mixture, stirring until evenly coated.
- Pour the mixture onto a silicone mat or a lined parchment paper baking tray. This will prevent the candy from sticking and make it easier to remove once it has cooled.
- Then, use a rolling pin to flatten it into an even layer, about ¼ inch thick.
- While still warm, cut the candy into small pieces using a sharp knife or pizza cutter. Let it cool at room temperature until firm. Enjoy!
Colleen says
These remind me of "Sesame Snaps" which was a delicious treat growing up. I can't wait to try this recipe!
Alexandra says
This was the perfect treat, and aside from tasting delicious, I was pleased with how quickly they came together! They have a lovely flavour, and I really enjoy the crisp texture. Thank you for the nice recipe - I'll be making these again 🙂
Kathryn says
These candies were so good and I loved the hint of sesame seed flavor. They had the best crunch and were so easy to make. Thank you!
Lauren says
We loved how crunchy and nutty this sesame candy was! It was a fun recipe to make with the kids to try something new.
Cathleen says
I am so excited to make this over the weekend! My friend used to make something similar to this when I was younger, and I have been craving it lately. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe 🙂
Tammy says
ooh these remind me of the sesame candies I'd get growing up when we'd go to the Asian market. Such a fun sweet treat..these look great!
Maddy says
My kids and I loved this sesame candy as an alternative to "traditional" candy loaded with sugars and all sorts of artificial stuff.
Kristina says
This was such a tasty treat! I only had white sesame seeds and it was crunchy, sweet and delicous!
Jacqueline Debono says
This Chinese sesame candy was an absolute hit in our house. It's not something easily availble to buy locally, so I decided to make it myself. Will definitely make again!
Leslie says
What a delightful treat! This is perfectly sweet and nutty. The flavors were just perfect! YUM!