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Benne wafers are thin, crunchy biscuits with a nutty flavor made from butter, sugar, and sesame seeds. They are a favorite in Charleston, South Carolina and are believed to bring good luck. Sesame seeds are a good source of nutrients and can be used in many dishes.
Benne wafers are toasted biscuits with sesame seeds. The cookies get their name from the Bantu word for sesame, benne. A favorite of the Charleston, South Carolina area, benne seed wafers are a thin confection of butter, sugar, powdered sugar, and lots of sesame seeds. The seeds provide sweet cookies with a rich, nutty flavor. The Bantu people who originally made them believe that these biscuits bring good luck upon ingestion.
The Benne Wafter is one of many varieties of crunchy cracking biscuits. The delicate brown biscuits have a thin, crunchy texture and, if cooked well, will be firm and crunchy on the bottom while paler on top. Rich and flavorful, benne wafers are known for their nutty and caramelized flavors. These types of cookies can be offered in unlimited ways. A popular serving suggestion is with buttermilk ice cream or with a simple glass of milk.
To make benne wafers, sesame seeds are first toasted on a baking tray for ten minutes until lightly browned. They can also be toasted in a dry skillet over medium heat; if cooked this way, the seeds must be moved around constantly to prevent burning. The seeds are then added to a combination of butter, eggs, brown sugar, flour, vanilla extract, salt and baking powder. Small balls of the batter are then baked on a lightly greased baking sheet. After the cookies are removed from the oven, they should be allowed to cool.
Benne wafers should always be stored in an airtight container where they should stay in good condition for up to a week. Cookies can also be frozen for longer storage. All types of seeds can become rancid if not stored properly.
Originally from East Africa, sesame was brought to America during the 17th and 18th centuries during the slave trade. Sesame seeds are good sources of iron, calcium, zinc, protein and vitamins E and B. They are also cholesterol free. Benne wafers can still be purchased in many candy shops located in the southern states of America. Because of their history, benne wafers are often used as holiday cookies during Kwanzaa.
Sesame seeds are also popular in many other areas. They are also known as benne in the Middle East where they are often used in cooking. In addition to breads and cookies, sesame seeds can be used in salads, crackers, cakes, soups, tahini paste, candies, and many other dishes.
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