Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
A plate of benne wafers and a hand holding one up

Southern Benne Wafers


  • Author: Marie Bostwick

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup white sesame seeds
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 4 T unsalted butter
  • 1 beaten egg
  • ½ cup white flour
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • ½ tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Toast sesame seeds in dry pan (no oil) for 2-3 minutes, moving seeds around the pan constantly with a spatula, until they begin to turn light golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside.
  2. Beat butter and sugar together using an electric or stand mixer until they are creamy and completely blended, 4 to 5 minutes. Add beaten egg and mix for an additional minute.
  3. Place flour, salt, and baking powder in a small bowl, stir dry ingredients with a whisk or fork. Add to butter and sugar mixture. Mix until combined. Add lemon juice and vanilla. Mix to combine.
  4. Pour toasted sesame seeds into bowl. Stir into dough by hand.
  5. Chill dough for 30 to 60 minutes.
  6. While dough chills, preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  7. Place level teaspoons of chilled dough onto parchment lined baking sheet, leaving room for each wafer to spread.
  8. Place baking sheet in preheated oven. Cook for 9 minutes, until wafers are golden brown (if you prefer a crunchy water, add an additional 2 minutes to baking time.
  9. Remove baking sheet from oven. Allow wafers to cool for 3 to 4 minutes before removing from pan.