Pepper Cake

Name: Pepper Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Taiwanese
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 2/3 cup warm water; 1/2 tsp salt; 4 tbsp vegetable oil; 2 tbsp freshly ground black pepper; 2 tbsp sesame oil; 4 tbsp white sesame seeds; 1/2 tsp fleur de sel or coarse salt (for topping)

A savory Taiwanese snack with a crispy, peppery exterior and a tender, fluffy crumb inside. Golden, aromatic, and utterly addictive with black pepper and sesame seeds.

50 minMediumServes 8220 cal/serving

TaiwaneseAppetizerOvenVegetarian

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup warm water
1/2 tsp salt
4 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tbsp freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp sesame oil
4 tbsp white sesame seeds
1/2 tsp fleur de sel or coarse salt (for topping)

Instructions

1

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2

In a large bowl, mix 3 cups all-purpose flour and 1/2 tsp salt.
3

Add 2/3 cup warm water and mix until a soft dough forms.
4

Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 3-5 minutes until smooth.
5

Let the dough rest for 10 minutes, covered with a damp towel.
6

In a small bowl, mix 4 tbsp vegetable oil, 2 tbsp sesame oil, 2 tbsp freshly ground black pepper, and 4 tbsp white sesame seeds.
7

Divide the dough into 4 pieces and roll each into a ball.
8

On a floured surface, roll one piece into a thin rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.
9

Brush generously with the pepper-sesame mixture.
10

Roll up tightly from the short end, then coil and flatten gently into a round shape about 3-4 inches in diameter.
11

Place on the prepared baking sheet and repeat with the remaining 3 pieces.
12

Brush the tops with any remaining pepper-sesame mixture.
13

Sprinkle with 1/2 tsp fleur de sel or coarse salt (for topping).
14

Bake for 20-25 minutes until deep golden brown and crispy.
15

Transfer to a wire rack and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Questions

Can I make Pepper Cake gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 3 cups all-purpose flour. Swap the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works). Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Pepper Cake keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat uncovered in a 400 F oven (or an air fryer) for a few minutes to bring the crust back; the microwave softens it.

Can I halve or double Pepper Cake?

Yes. As written it serves 8. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubled, split it across two pans and rotate them halfway; one crowded pan bakes unevenly.

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