Cypriot Tahini Pies with Orange Flavor

Tahini, sugar, and cinnamon are a perfect combination, but the orange zest makes these Cypriot tahini pies irresistible! The addition of sesame seeds makes the pies crunchy, but they are optional. This is a hand pie with layers of dough and sweet filling that melts in your mouth and is my personal favorite. See recipe's video on my Youtube channel .

• Preparation Time: 1 hr 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 18 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 33 mins
• Calories: 317 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 cups bread flour
• 1 orange, zested
• 1 ½ cups white sugar, divided
• 1 ¼ cups tahini
• 1 ¼ cups warm water, divided
• 1 ounce compressed fresh yeast
• 6 tablespoons sesame seeds (Optional)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2

Combine 1 teaspoon sugar, 1/4 cup water, and yeast together in a small bowl. Stir well with a fork.

Step 3

Sift bread flour and all-purpose flour together in a mixing bowl. Add salt and blend. Pour in yeast mixture. Start adding remaining water gradually; mix until dough comes together. Place dough on a flat work surface and knead until soft and smooth, about 15 minutes.

Step 4

Transfer dough to a lightly greased bowl and cover. Place it a warm spot and let it rise for 45 minutes.

Step 5

In the meantime, prepare the filling. Add remaining sugar, sesame seeds, cinnamon, and orange zest to the tahini. Mix well.

Step 6

Flatten dough gently and cut into 8 equal pieces. Keep dough covered as you work with 1 piece at a time.

Step 7

Roll out 1 piece of dough into a 6-inch disk. Place 2 tablespoons of the filling in the middle, gather up the edges in the center, and pinch to seal. Press down to flatten; roll back out into a 6-inch disk. Roll disk into a log about 12 inches long. Cut in half and stretch each piece out to make it a little longer. Roll in both ends towards the center, creating an 'S' shape. Fold 1 spiral over the other and flatten with your palm. Roll out slightly; transfer to the prepared baking sheet.

Step 8

Repeat step 6 with remaining dough and filling, making 16 hand pies in total. Keep finished pies loosely covered so they rise slightly while you finish the rest.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 18 minutes.