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Roman honey sesame cakes

Roman Honey Sesame Cakes

These Roman honey sesame cakes are soft, lightly spiced, and naturally sweetened with honey. Toasted sesame seeds and walnuts add a nutty crunch, while applesauce keeps them moist. Finished with warm honey on top, they’re simple, rustic, and deeply comforting.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 12 small cakes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Romanian
Calories: 210
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dry Ingredients
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup toasted sesame seeds
Wet Ingredients
  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
  • ½ cup honey plus ¼ cup for topping
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Mix-Ins
  • ½ cup chopped toasted walnuts
  • ⅓ cup chopped dried fruits raisins or dates
For Finishing
  • 1 tablespoon extra toasted sesame seeds

Method
 

Step 1: Toast the sesame seeds
  1. Place sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir often. Toast for 3–5 minutes until golden and fragrant. Remove and let cool.
Step 2: Preheat oven
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a muffin tin or line with parchment liners.
Step 3: Mix dry ingredients
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, salt, and toasted sesame seeds.
Step 4: Mix wet ingredients
  1. In another bowl, whisk applesauce, ½ cup honey, olive oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
Step 5: Combine
  1. Pour wet mixture into dry mixture. Stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
Step 6: Add nuts and fruit
  1. Fold in chopped toasted walnuts and dried fruits.
Step 7: Fill molds
  1. Spoon batter into muffin tin, filling each cup about ¾ full.
Step 8: Bake
  1. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 9: Finish with honey
  1. While cakes are still slightly warm, brush or drizzle ¼ cup warm honey over the tops. Sprinkle with extra toasted sesame seeds.
Step 10: Cool and serve
  1. Let cool for 10–15 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Toasting the sesame seeds makes a big difference. Don’t skip this step.
  • Warm the honey slightly before brushing it on top. It spreads easier and soaks in better.
  • These taste even better the next day. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days.
  • You can replace walnuts with almonds if that’s what you have.
  • If you like more spice, add a pinch of nutmeg.