Sesame Seed Cookies

Rating: 3.68 stars
50 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 14
  • 4 star values: 15
  • 3 star values: 14
  • 2 star values: 5
  • 1 star values: 2

In South Carolina and Georgia, these popular cookies are known as "benne wafers," taking their name from the West African word for sesame.

Martha Stewart Living, October 2000

Gallery

Credit: Reed Davis

Recipe Summary test

Yield:
Makes about 48 cookies
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Ingredients

Directions

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line four baking sheets with parchment paper, and set aside. Sift together flour, salt, and baking soda, and set aside.

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  • In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, and beat until combined. Add reserved flour mixture, and beat until combined. Add toasted sesame seeds, and beat until incorporated.

  • Using a spoon, drop cookie batter, about 1 tablespoon at a time, onto prepared baking sheets, allowing at least 2 inches between cookies for spreading.

  • Bake until golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from oven, and cool on a wire rack.

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Reviews (11)

50 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 14
  • 4 star values: 15
  • 3 star values: 14
  • 2 star values: 5
  • 1 star values: 2
Martha Stewart Member
Rating: Unrated
08/11/2010
I made these this afternoon but with a little change: I add CHIA SEEDS and some toasted almonds.... they taste great! I love this cookies!!!!!!!!!
Martha Stewart Member
Rating: Unrated
12/21/2009
These were delicious! A friend made them and I just had to make them too. A very different type of cookie in flavor and texture. Can't wait to have them again.
Martha Stewart Member
Rating: Unrated
03/29/2009
For y'all non-southern folks, these are also called "Benne Wafers" (pronounced 'beh-nee). They're a Charleston, SC staple and are great with hot -- or iced sweet -- tea.
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Martha Stewart Member
Rating: Unrated
03/28/2009
Very yummy. We stirred in 3 tablespoons of tahini (sesame seed paste) and 1 extra Tbsp. of flour. Instead of adding all of the sesame seeds to the dough, we rolled the dough balls in the reserved seeds before setting on the pan (we used ~1 1/2 cups of sesame seeds all together).
Martha Stewart Member
Rating: Unrated
03/28/2009
Would love the recipe for the sesame seed candy you were talking about. Do you have it or do you know the name so I can look it up? Thanks for any help.
Martha Stewart Member
Rating: Unrated
03/28/2009
I would say the bottom left are the ones. The bottom right looks like the sesame candy that we make at Christmas time. Can't wait to try them!
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Martha Stewart Member
Rating: Unrated
03/27/2009
Well it looks like to me that they all have Sesame seeds!
Martha Stewart Member
Rating: Unrated
03/27/2009
I would guess they're the ones with the sesame seeds.
Martha Stewart Member
Rating: Unrated
03/27/2009
It looks like they would be the ones to the bottom left...
Martha Stewart Member
Rating: Unrated
03/27/2009
So which are the cookies described? The photo shows 3 different kinds.
Martha Stewart Member
Rating: Unrated
03/27/2009
my grandmother used to do a similar cookie except she baked them on foil lined sheets thus leaving a shiny side to the cookie when done. She also did one sheet, bot individual, and broke them like a brittle.
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