Traditional South Carolina benne wafers, thin, crispy, toasted sesame seed cookies.
Steve-Anna sent us a tin of these cookies and we devoured them.
As I recall, the round, flat cookies were arranged in stacks in paper liners around the tin.
Elise Bauer
It is believed that enslaved Africans brought benne seeds to Colonial America sometime in the 17th century.
In South Carolina, communities of people descended from enslaved Africans are referred to as Gullah communities.
Cover cookie sheets in parchment paper, silpat sheets, or lightly oil them.
Elise Bauer
Toast the sesame seeds in a heavy skillet over medium heat until they are golden brown.
Beat the brown sugar and butter together in a medium-sized bowl for several minutes until fluffy.
Beat in the egg.
Elise Bauer
Stir in the toasted sesame seeds, vanilla extract, and lemon juice.
Chill the dough for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
This makes it easier to drop the cookies on the sheets.
Drop by teaspoonful onto prepared cookie sheets, leaving space for the cookies to spread.
Bake at 325F for approximately 15 minutes, or until the edges are slightly brown.
Cool for a minute or two on the cookie sheets, then transfer to a rack to continue cooling.
Recipe source:Gullah Net
Links:
Benne wafer tinsfrom Olde Colony Bakery
