Whole Wheat Sables With Za'atar Recipe

French butter cookies are topped with a Middle Eastern spice blend for a savory-sweet snack that would be great as an hors d'oeuvre with wine.

Carrie Vasios Mullins

Updated April 02, 2025

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Whole wheat sable cookie with za'atar, served on a small plate. — Serious Eats / Carrie Vasios Mullins

Whenever I'm tired of the same old cookies, I turn not to a cookbook but to my spice rack. It's amazing what a pinch of something savory can do to elevate something sweet. These souped-up shortbread cookies admittedly use more than a "pinch" of herbs, but it's because I'm obsessed with za'atar, the Middle Eastern spice blend.

Because it's a blend, its exact contents will vary by brand, but most contain sesame seeds, sumac, and salt, and marjoram, oregano, and thyme are common additions. It's got a savory, earthy flavor, and a somewhat crunchy texture that makes it popular to put on pita (similar to the Italian-American tradition of sprinkling oregano over pizza.)

I decided to pair za'atar with simple whole wheat sables that are nutty with just a hint of sweetness. The easy dough is mixed together then chilled and sliced. I dipped each cookie in an egg wash and then in the za'atar. The result is a savory, herbal cookie that I like to pair with a glass of white wine as an hors d'oeuvre.

Recipe Details

Whole Wheat Sables With Za'atar Recipe

Prep 10 mins

Cook 15 mins

Active 20 mins

Chilling/Cooling Time 65 mins

Total 90 mins

Makes 20 sables

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Ingredients

8 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon milk
1 large egg beaten with 1 teaspoon water, for egg wash
About 4 tablespoons za'atar (see note)

Directions

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar until just smooth, about 2 minutes. Add flour, whole wheat flour, salt, and milk, and mix until dough just comes together. Roll dough into a 1-inch wide log, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate 1 hour.
Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Put egg wash in one shallow bowl and za'atar spice in another.
Cut dough into 1/4-inch slices. Brush each with egg wash and then press lightly into zaatar blend. Place cookies on baking sheet and bake until golden at the edges, about 15 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Special Equipment

Stand mixer, rimmed baking sheet, parchment paper, pastry brush

Notes

Because za'atar is a spice blend, its exact contents will vary by brand. Most contain sesame seeds, sumac, and salt, and other additions such as marjoram and thyme are common. I've never really met a za'atar I didn't like, but if you want to be sure, give it a try before using.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
1475	Calories
103g	Fat
124g	Carbs
24g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving
Calories	1475
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 103g	132%
Saturated Fat 60g	299%
Cholesterol 430mg	143%
Sodium 1421mg	62%
Total Carbohydrate 124g	45%
Dietary Fiber 12g	43%
Total Sugars 26g
Protein 24g
Vitamin C 2mg	9%
Calcium 224mg	17%
Iron 12mg	66%
Potassium 590mg	13%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.