Tahini and Chocolate Chunk Cake

Updated April 13, 2026

Media 1 of 2
Ready In
1 hr 30 min
(30 min plus cooling)
Rating
5(387)
Comments
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Tahini, a smooth paste made from ground sesame seeds, is nothing short of a pantry superstar — both sweet and savory dishes benefit from a healthy swig of the rich, creamy sauce. Here, tahini flavors a one-bowl yellow cake, giving it a pillowy texture and nutty flavor. Swirled with chocolate, it’s reminiscent of your favorite halvah candy. Be sure to use semisweet chocolate – anything darker is too sour and would clash with the sesame. 

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Ingredients

Yield:16 servings
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil, plus more for the pan

  • ⅔ cup/170 grams tahini, well-stirred

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 large egg yolk

  • ¾ cup/177 milliliters whole milk

  • ¾ cup/150 grams plus 2 tablespoons sugar

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

  • 1½ cups/192 grams all-purpose flour

  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)

  • 1 cup/115 grams coarsely chopped semisweet chocolate

  • ¼ cup/30 grams plus 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted (see Tip)

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (16 servings)

28 grams carbs; 24 milligrams cholesterol; 231 calories; 5 grams monosaturated fat; 4 grams polyunsaturated fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 12 grams fat; 2 grams fiber; 144 milligrams sodium; 5 grams protein; 16 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat the oven to 350. Oil a 9-inch square baking pan and line it with parchment, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two sides. 

  2. Step 2

    In a large bowl, whisk together the oil and tahini. Add the egg, egg yolk and milk and whisk until completely smooth. Whisk in ¾ cup sugar and the vanilla. 

  3. Step 3

    Add the flour, baking powder and salt and fold in with a rubber spatula. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of the chocolate and add the remainder to the batter. Fold in 1 tablespoon sesame seeds. 

  4. Step 4

    Transfer the batter to the prepared pan. Sprinkle the reserved chocolate, the remaining ¼ cup sesame seeds and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar evenly over the top. Bake until the cake is puffed and set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out almost clean with a few moist crumbs attached, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes in the pan, then lift the cake out of the pan using the parchment overhang and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. 

  5. Step 5

    To serve, cut the cooled cake into 16 pieces. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw uncovered at room temperature before serving. 

Tip
  • Toast sesame seeds in a light-colored pan on medium-high, tossing frequently, until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
387 user ratings
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Comments

@Lost In A Space do you solely reply to be unkind to others, or do you imagine you're serving some other function?

This might be the biggest Reese’s PB cup I’ve ever eaten (and agree with other comments that halvah is a stretch). No carb guilt either — subbed out all flour for almond flour, giving it an even nuttier vibe. Half the pan is already gone and it’s only been on the kitchen counter for 4 hrs. YUMMY

Hopping on to say I have celiacs and made this with a GF flour blend in place of the regular flour (primarily deglutenized wheat starch) and a bit of zantham gum and it worked well, coming out moist and with a nice rise. The sugar sesame seeds on top give it a very nice and welcome texture contrast-don’t skip it!

This was amazing!!!! I doubled it and made a 9x13 and it was devoured. Some people had thirds! Will definitely make again. Followed recipe exactly but substituted with oat milk

I can’t explain why but it’s so much better on day two. The day I baked it the cake seemed dry and like it needed more sweetness. The next day it was perfection.

This was good, but a little dry. I checked it constantly towards end of bake time for doneness to avoid over baking too. I think it’s because I refrigerated it overnight. Brought it to room temp (per instructions) the next day before serving it. I’m sure it’s better same day minutes the refrigeration.

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