Semsemiyeh (Lebanese sesame and honey bars)
Thin, crunchy sesame bars set in golden honey caramel with a hint of orange blossom, a popular street sweet.
- Time35 min
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £0.19 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
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Method
- 1
Toast the sesame seeds in a dry frying pan over a medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until light golden. Tip into a bowl.
5 min - 2
Oil a sheet of baking paper and a rolling pin lightly. Have a second sheet of baking paper ready.
- 3
Put the sugar, honey, water and lemon juice in a medium pan. Heat gently until the sugar dissolves, then boil without stirring for 6 to 8 minutes, until it turns a deep golden amber and a drop in cold water turns brittle.
8 min - 4
Take off the heat and stir in the orange blossom water, being careful as it will spit. Quickly stir in the warm sesame seeds until coated.
- 5
Tip onto the oiled paper, cover with the second sheet and roll out quickly to about 5mm thick. Score into bars with a sharp knife while still warm.
- 6
Leave to cool and harden for 20 minutes, then snap along the lines. Store in an airtight tin for up to 2 weeks.
20 min
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.