Benne Wafers Recipe

These traditional southern Benne Wafers are a special treat, and quite addicting too! They also make a great gift during the holidays so make an extra batch or two to share.

Benne (sesame seed) Wafers are popular in the low country of South Carolina. They’re a traditional treat in that area and have stood the taste test of time. It’s no wonder. These cookies are nutty and crunchy and sweet, and the perfect compliment to a bowl of ice cream or a cobbler.

Just like every other recipe here, these Benne Wafers are easy peasy and what you’ll end up with is a beautiful, translucent wafer.

Here are the ingredients that you will need to get started: brown sugar, butter, an egg, flour, salt, baking powder, vanilla and/or course toasted sesame seeds.

Some recipes don’t call for toasted sesame seeds, but I think you’re missing out by skipping this simple step. To toast the seeds, just brown them on the stove top in a dry pan, stirring them occasionally to prevent scorching. It should only take a few minutes. And man alive, is it worth every second. Don’t skip that step. Trust me.

After sesame seeds are toasted, begin by creaming the brown sugar and butter together. Beat the egg, and combine it with the sugar/butter mixture. Next, sift the flour, salt and baking powder together, add it to the mix and combine until just smooth.

Finally, toss in the vanilla and toasted sesame seeds, and mix well.

Toasted sesame seeds smell wonderful.

On a foil, parchment or silicon baking mat lined baking sheet, drop teaspoons of batter spaced apart to allow for spreading. Bake in a 375-degrees F oven for approximately 12-13 minutes, until browned. Let cool for about a minute on baking sheet before removing to cool on rack. Makes about 50 1 1/2-2 inch wafers.

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Benne Wafers Recipe

Yield: 50

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

This southern traditional cookie is so full of flavor and makes a great gift during the holidays.

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Ingredients

• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 6 tablespoons sesame seeds

Instructions

1. In a sauté pan or skillet, toast sesame seeds over medium heat until brown. Stir occasionally to avoid scorching. Let cool.
2. In a mixing bowl, cream the brown sugar and butter together.
3. Add the beaten egg to the sugar/butter mixture, and combine well.
4. Next, sift the flour, salt and baking powder together, add it to the mix and combine until just smooth.
5. Finally add the vanilla and toasted sesame seeds and mix well.
6. On a foil, parchment or silicon baking mat lined baking sheet, drop teaspoons of batter, spaced apart to allow for spreading.
7. Bake in a 375-degrees F oven for approximately 12-13 minutes, until browned.
8. Let cool for about a minute on baking sheet before removing to cool on rack.

Notes

Adapted from Charleston Receipts.

Makes about 50, approximately 2-inch wafers.

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