Benne Seed Wafers

We celebrate Kwanzaa in my home as both my boys are African-American. The seven principles could be a guide for life in any culture, however, such as Unity, Family, Faith and today's (Kujichagulia):  Self-Determination. This is an image of the Kinara - I'll put up a picture of ours this week. One of the traditional Kwanzaa foods if the Benne Seed Cake. Many Southern restaurants serve these.



Benne Seed Wafers

3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened

2 cups firmly packed brown sugar

1 egg, beaten

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

2 cans sesame seeds

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Cream butter; gradually add sugar, beating well.  Add egg; beat well. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt; add to creamed mixture, beating well (theme).  Stir in sesame seeds and vanilla; mix well.

Drop dough by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper-lined baking sheets.  Bake at 325F for 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.  Cool 5 minutes.  Carefully remove to wire racks to cool completely.  Yield:  about 8 dozen.



The recipe for this is from my Southern Heritage Southern Living Celebrations Volume, from the Christmas Tea menu.