Source Attribution
Original Cookbook Name: The Black Family Reunion Cookbook
Published By: Atria Books
Year of Publication: 1993
Page Number: 4
Author / Contributor: National Council of Negro Women
Heritage & Cultural Context
Benne seeds, the African ancestor of modern sesame seeds, hold deep cultural meaning in Black Southern cooking. Originating in West Africa and brought over during the transatlantic slave trade, these seeds have long symbolized good fortune. In the Lowcountry, particularly among the Gullah Geechee, benne seed wafers became a signature treat—crisp, sweet, and served at gatherings or as hospitality offerings. This recipe, preserved in The Black Family Reunion Cookbook, represents both a culinary and ancestral legacy, honoring the resourcefulness and resilience of enslaved African cooks who transformed humble ingredients into meaningful dishes.
Ingredients (As Written in the Book)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup butter or margarine
- 1 egg
- ½ cup flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Original Instructions:
Cream butter and sugar together. - Add egg and beat well.
- Sift flour, salt, and baking powder. Add to egg mixture.
- Add vanilla and toasted sesame seeds. Mix well.
- Drop by ½ teaspoon onto greased cookie sheets.
- Bake at 350°F for 5 -7 minutes or until golden brown.
Editor’s Note (Optional Modern Guidance):
For best results, space the wafers well apart as they spread thin. Toast sesame seeds in a dry skillet until lightly golden to deepen their flavor.
Cultural or Historical Insight
Benne wafers are a true expression of African culinary retention in American foodways. More than just cookies, they’re edible symbols of survival, culture, and celebration. In Charleston and other parts of the South, they were often sold by Black women as street vendors or served to guests in homes as tokens of welcome. Their presence in this family-focused cookbook aligns with a broader effort to reclaim and honor African American food heritage.
Visual Reference
