Black Sesame Buckeyes Recipes

BUCKEYES

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment. Beat the confectioners' sugar, peanut butter, butter, vanilla and salt with an electric mixer in a medium bowl until well combined. Scoop 2-teaspoonful mounds, and roll into balls; arrange them on the prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate until firm, about 20 minutes.
• Microwave the chocolate and shortening in a microwave-safe medium bowl in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until the mixture is completely melted and smooth, about 2 minutes.
• Stick a toothpick or skewer into the top center of a peanut butter ball. Dip the ball into the melted chocolate, leaving a circle of peanut butter visible on top. Let the excess chocolate drip off, then return the buckeye to the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining peanut butter balls and chocolate.
• Chill the buckeyes until firm, about 30 minutes. Smooth out the hole left by the toothpick with an offset spatula. Serve at room temperature or well chilled. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

BLACK SESAME SWEET TOFU

Steps:

• In a small bowl, place 1/2 cup soymilk and sprinkle gelatin over top. Set aside 5 minutes.
• In a medium saucepan, combine 2 1/2 cups soymilk and sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until milk is hot (but not boiling) and sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat; stir in reserved gelatin mixture until dissolved. Stir in the remaining soymilk and sesame paste. Transfer the mixture to a blender (or use an immersion blender with liquid in pot) and blend until smooth.
• Set a medium bowl in a bowl of ice water; pour soymilk mixture into the empty bowl. Let the mixture stand, stirring occasionally, until cool, about 45 minutes. Pour milk mixture into glasses. Refrigerate 3 to 4 hours or until firm.

BLACK SESAME BUCHE DE NOEL

Steps:

• For the almond orange sponge cake: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a 13-by-18-inch half-sheet pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper. Grease the parchment paper and set aside.
• Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
• Beat the egg whites in a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment on medium speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Slowly add 1/4 cup granulated sugar while beating. Continue beating until shiny medium stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes. Remove the egg whites to a medium bowl and set aside.
• Add the egg yolks and remaining 3/4 cup granulated sugar to the same bowl of the stand mixer with the same whisk attachment (no need to wash). Add the almond and vanilla extracts as well as the orange zest. Beat on medium speed until pale yellow and doubled in volume, 1 to 2 minutes. Gently fold in the egg whites. Finally, fold in the flour mixture until just incorporated.
• Spread the batter in the prepared pan. Bake until the top is springy, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Use an offset spatula to loosen the edges of the cake. Immediately invert the cake onto a clean dish towel dusted with powdered sugar. Remove the parchment paper. Using the towel, fold the long end of the cake towards the center, continuing to roll the cake into the towel (this will help shape the cake when the buttercream is added). Transfer to a rack, seam-side down, to cool completely.
• For the black sesame buttercream: Put the butter and confectioners' sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on low speed until combined, then add the sesame paste, milk, vanilla and salt and increase the speed to medium. Beat until smooth.
• For the decorations: Combine the coconut with the matcha powder in a medium bowl. Shape the marzipan into mushrooms.
• Assembly: Unroll the cake on a clean work surface and remove the towel. Spread a third of the buttercream on the inner side of the cake, frosting all the way to the edges. Gently roll back into a log. Trim the ends of the roll, then cut a quarter of the log off on a diagonal. Place the larger log on a large serving platter. Attach the smaller log to the side of the cake with some buttercream to resemble a branch on the yule log. Spread the remaining buttercream on the buche de Noel to cover, but leave the cut sides unfrosted to show the swirl. Run an offset spatula or spoon over the buttercream for the appearance of rough tree bark. Sprinkle the matcha coconut around the cake to resemble moss. Place the marzipan mushrooms around the cake, gently pressing them into the frosting. Enjoy!

BLACK SESAME BABKA

Steps:

• For the dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together the flour, sugar, yeast, salt and orange zest. Add the milk, vanilla extract, almond extract and eggs and whisk to combine. Place the bowl onto the stand mixer, fitted with a dough hook attachment, and mix on medium speed to combine. Use a rubber spatula as needed to scrape the bottom and sides. With the mixer running, add butter 1 tablespoon at a time until it is incorporated into the dough. When all the butter is incorporated, mix on medium for another 10 to 15 minutes, until smooth and slightly sticky. Stretch the dough into a ball. Lightly oil a clean bowl, place the dough in top down, flip over to coat in oil fully and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise until it's doubled in size, 1 to 2 hours.
• Grease a 9-by-5-inch metal loaf pan and line with enough parchment paper to come all the way up on the two long sides and allow 1-inch wings.
• On a clean work surface, roll the dough out into a 22-by-10-inch rectangle. The dough should be slightly sticky but if it's too sticky to work with you can dust with a little flour. Using all but about 2 tablespoons of the Filling (recipe follows), spread it onto the dough, leaving a ½-inch border at the top edge. Roll the dough the long way into a tight log and pinch the edges to seal. Cut it in half so you have two shorter logs. Spread the top of one of the logs with the reserved filling and then twist the logs together. Transfer to the loaf pan, cover with plastic, and let rise until puffy and risen by about half, 30 to 40 minutes.
• Arrange an oven rack in the lower third and preheat to 350 degrees F.
• Gently brush the top of the babka with the egg wash and cover with the Crumble (recipe follows). Bake until the top is deep golden brown and the internal temperature is 190 to 195ºF, begin checking at 45 minutes.
• While babka is baking, prepare the Glaze (recipe follows).
• Cool for 15 minutes in the pan and then transfer to a rack. Drizzle over the glaze and then cool completely before cutting open. To store wrap tightly in plastic wrap and keep at room temperature. This is best within a day or two.
• In a medium bowl with a stiff rubber spatula, mix together the sesame paste, sugar, coconut oil, salt and orange zest until combined and spreadable. Reserve at room temperature until ready to use.
• Combine the flour, powdered sugar, sesame seeds and salt in a small bowl. Add the butter and rub together with your fingers until butter is thoroughly combined and mixture is coarse and crumbly.
• Combine powdered sugar and salt in a small bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of milk and whisk to combine. If the mixture is too thick, add more milk until desired consistency.

BUCKEYES I

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter, butter, vanilla and confectioners' sugar. The dough will look dry. Roll into 1 inch balls and place on a waxed paper-lined cookie sheet.
• Press a toothpick into the top of each ball (to be used later as the handle for dipping) and chill in freezer until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler or in a bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir frequently until smooth.
• Dip frozen peanut butter balls in chocolate holding onto the toothpick. Leave a small portion of peanut butter showing at the top to make them look like Buckeyes. Put back on the cookie sheet and refrigerate until serving.

BUCKEYE BALLS II

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with waxed paper; set aside.
• In a medium bowl, mix peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and confectioners' sugar with hands to form a smooth stiff dough. Shape into balls using 2 teaspoons of dough for each ball. Place on prepared pan, and refrigerate.
• Melt shortening and chocolate together in a metal bowl over a pan of lightly simmering water. Stir occasionally until smooth, and remove from heat.
• Remove balls from refrigerator. Insert a wooden toothpick into a ball, and dip into melted chocolate. Return to wax paper, chocolate side down, and remove toothpick. Repeat with remaining balls. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set.

BUCKEYES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat the sugar, peanut butter and butter until smooth. Shape into 1-in. balls; set aside. , Microwave chocolate chips and shortening on high until melted; stir until smooth. Dip balls in chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. Place on a wire rack over waxed paper; refrigerate for 15 minutes or until firm. Cover and store in the refrigerator.