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Ice Cream With Saffron Oil And Sesame Wafer

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Photo by Alex Lau

Steeping saffron in hot water releases its color and aroma. If you want a pretty finisher without the expense of saffron, use extra sesame seeds.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    8 servings

Ingredients

Sesame Wafer

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/3 cup black and/or white sesame seeds

Assembly

1 big pinch of saffron threads
1/4 cup olive oil
2 pints vanilla ice cream

Preparation

  1. Sesame Wafer

    Step 1

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat and mix in sugar, honey, and salt, then flour. Add sesame seeds.

    Step 2

    Transfer dough to a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet and flatten with a spoon or offset spatula until dough is no more than 1/4" thick. Bake until wafer is golden brown and smells like caramel, 9–11 minutes. Let cool on baking sheet.

  2. Do Ahead

    Step 3

    Wafer can be made 3 days ahead. Store tightly wrapped at room temperature.

  3. Assembly

    Step 4

    Place saffron in a small bowl and pour in 1 tsp. boiling water. Let sit until saffron is hydrated and releases its color, 10–12 minutes. Stir in oil.

    Step 5

    Break wafer into large pieces. Scoop ice cream into bowls; drizzle with saffron oil and top with wafer.

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