Sesame & Chocolate Rounds With Rock Salt

Sesame & Chocolate Rounds

With Rock Salt

Vegetarian or Vegan / Gluten Free

Makes 10-12 rounds

These gorgeous chunky rounds are so moreish that no one will be able to just have one! Made with a few wholesome ingredients, they are so full of flavour and super nutrients, that they will give you energy to keep you going for hours. Dip them in melted chocolate to add a little decadence, although they are not in any way lacking in taste on their own. Crispy, chewy, sweet and salty, packed with super nutritious sesame seeds known for their amazing health benefits. Quick and easy to prepare, these will certainly become a favourite!

Ingredients

1 medium banana, peeled (75-100g)

40g coconut sugar

1 small fresh organic free range egg, or 30ml aquafaba

1tsp maple syrup

1tsp vanilla extract

1/2tsp salt

300g hulled sesame seeds

65g chocolate chips of choice

Optional decoration:

100g chocolate of choice, melted

Rock salt

Dried rose petals

Method

Preheat the oven to 175C.

Line a large baking tray with lightly greased baking parchment.

In a food processor, blend the banana, coconut sugar, egg (or aquafaba), maple syrup, vanilla extract and salt.

Pulse in the sesame seeds until just incorporated. (The mixture should be soft, like wet sand, but it needs to hold its shape when compacted. If it seems too loose, add a few more sesame seeds).

Now fold in the chocolate chips.

Portion the mixture onto the lined baking tray, using a 1/4cup scoop to measure (approximately 60g each). Drop 1 scoop at a time into a cookie cutter (approximately 6-7cm in diameter). Press down firmly to compact and gently lift the cookie cutter away. Repeat until all the mixture has been used.

Bake for 20 minutes, carefully turn over and bake for a further 5 minutes.

Remove from the oven and allow to set and come to room temperature.

To decorate, melt the chocolate using a microwave or Bain Marie and pour it in a small bowl. Dip each sesame round halfway into the chocolate. Allow any excess chocolate to drip off and then place on a parchment-lined board or tray. To avoid the salt dissolving, let the chocolate semi-set for around 15 minutes. Sprinkle with a few grains of rock salt and some rose petals, if using. Once set completely, they are ready to devour… Enjoy!

Notes

Store these rounds in an airtight container for up to a week (but they won’t last that long!)

You can add raisins, nuts, other seeds or desiccated coconut in place of the chocolate chips if preferred. However, they are also lovely on their own.

Sesame seeds

Sesame seeds are a good source of healthy fats, protein, B vitamins, minerals, fibre, antioxidants, and other beneficial plant compounds.

They are very rich in plant protein, calcium, iron, magnesium and manganese.

Numerous studies have shown that regularly eating substantial portions (as in our rounds), sesame seeds may aid blood sugar control, combat arthritis pain, lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation, boost the immune system and relieve menopausal symptoms by aiding hormonal balance.

To optimise your nutrient intake, you can eat sesame seeds soaked, sprouted, or roasted, as they are in this fantastic recipe.

Bear in mind that they are high in calories due to their healthy fat content. One tablespoon has 52 calories.