Recipe: Benne Wafers

I love Benne wafers. They have a slightly sweet taste and crisp texture. Just a few can satisfy my sweet tooth. Sesame is also high in protein, contains no cholesterol and is rich in calcium, iron, zinc, and vitamins B and E. Of course, when you toss it into a cookie, it has to fend for itself. 

Benne (the Bantu word for sesame) was brought to America from East Africa in the 17^th century during the slave trade era. 

Here are two recipes I found the 

BENNE WAFERS RECIPE (1954 Gourmet magazine)

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
• 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 3/4 cup sesame (benne) seeds (toasted)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

PREPARATION:

Lightly toast the sesame (benne) seeds in a nonstick pan until golden brown. Watch carefully so the seeds won't burn.

Cream butter and sugar together and mix with other ingredients in the order given. Use a 1/2 teaspoon to measure the dough and drop onto a cookie pan covered with parchment paper*, about 1 1/2 inches part, far enough apart to allow spreading while baking.

Tip: While baking, use a cold spatula to flatten any cookies that start to "puff."

Bake in a 350º F oven for 4-6 minutes. Let cool.  Store in air-tight container 

The cookies should be crisp, brown and flat.
Yield: 6 dozen

*You can just grease the cookie sheet but I find the tiny cookies tend to stick so its easier to peel them of the parchment paper once cooled.

Benne Wafers (DiscoverSouthCarolina.com) 

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup toasted sesame seeds 
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Lightly spray 2 baking sheets with cooking spray.
    
2. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar with an electric beater. Add remaining ingredients; mix well then use a teaspoon to drop small amounts of batter  onto greased baking sheets. The dough will spread.
    
3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. The cookies are usually the size of a quarter upon completion. 

Makes about 4-7 dozen wafers, depending on the size

I

 © Diane Chase, author of Adirondack Family Time: Tri-Lakes and High Peaks (Your Four-Season Guide to Over 300 Activities) for the towns of Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Jay/Upper Jay, Wilmington, Keene/Keene Valley which is available online or bookstores/museums/sporting good stores. Diane is currently working on the second guidebook in the four-book series of Adirondack Family Activities.