The Best Benne Wafers

Submitted by hannahactually

""Benne" means sesame seeds, and these are deliciously crispy little cookies. I made these recently for a friend-of-the-family who celebrates Kwanzaa, and he loved them. They originate in Africa, but have become a tradition in the deep south of the United States. They are also the only Kwanzaa cookie type I could find; as an added bonus (although the ingredients sound REALLY weird), they're delicious!"

 

• Ready In: 17mins
• Ingredients: 8
• Yields: 36 cookies
• Serves: 36

ingredients

• 1 cup sesame seeds, toasted
• 3⁄4 cup butter, melted
• 1 1⁄2 cups packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon baking powder

directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. If your sesame seeds are not toasted, place them on an ungreased baking sheet and toast for 10-12 minutes or until they turn light brown.
3. They may burn easily, so watch closely to prevent this from happening.
4. Mix the brown sugar, melted butter, egg, vanilla extract, flour, salt, baking powder, and toasted sesame seeds together until well combined in a large mixing bowl.
5. Drop cookie dough by half-teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheet. Make sure that at least 2 inches separate them; they spread A LOT.
6. Bake at 375 degrees F for about 5-6 minutes or until edges become light brown. They will appear a little puffy when you take them out.
7. Let them sit for 2-3 minutes.
8. They should be pretty flat.
9. Remove them to a wire rack and allow to cool (be careful--they're pretty crispy and crunchy!).
10. Store cooled cookies in an air-tight container.

Reviews

[onewally]

I made these and they were very good! The first couple of pans came out of the specified 375 degree oven too brown around the edges and too pale in the center. I cut the temperature to 325 degrees and the cookies browned evenly. They really are charming little wafers, a nice one bite, crispy cookie.

 

[Yeshanghai]

The cookies are very delicious and not too sweet. Crunchy in the bottom and soft inside. It is also very easy to make. I will certainly make them again. Thanks for sharing this recipe :)

 

[jraddison]

Excellent recipe!!! I was afraid I couldn't find one that would make the wafers just like I remembered them- I followed it exactly and they are wonderful!!!

 

[Lee Ann P.]

i tryed to do this it did not work and i have to have it for a school project thanks a lot.if i make a bad grade i blame you.but thanks also they are good but next time be a little more specific on how to make them ok thanks.i had to stay up all night doing this for school but i got to spend time with my mom thanks for that.by