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Drop cookies; Benne Seed Wafers




Source of Recipe


The Black Family Reunion Cookbook


Recipe Introduction


This book is a wonderful read. Jo gave it to me for my birthday last year. It was published in 1991 by the National Council of Negro Women and has an introduction by Dorothy I. Height. I didn’t actually find many recipes that I wanted to make, but the stories and history make it special. These cookies, however, are fantastic. Sesame is one of my favorite flavors in the world (except for an inexplicable hatred of sesame oil) and I’ve had savory benne wafers, but I love halvah, so I wanted to give these a try. I’m so glad I did. They are a keeper recipe that I’ll be making again and again.

Heat oven to 325F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.


List of Ingredients




1 C firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 C butter, softened
1 egg, beaten
1/2 C all purpose flour
1/8 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 C toasted sesame seeds
1 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 tsp. vanilla








Recipe



Combine sugar and butter until creamy in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. In a small bowl, mix the flour, baking powder and salt. Add this to the sugar mixture along with the egg, lemon juice and vanilla. Mix in the sesame seeds.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto the baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.

Bake for 15 minutes. The cookies should be brown on the edges. Cool on baking sheet for one minute, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Makes 50 wafers.