Benne seeds are an early heirloom variety of sesame seeds, brought by enslaved West Africans to South Carolina’s Lowcountry. The plants thrived in the humid climate, and benne seeds were used extensively to enrich baked goods and candies, as well as savory dishes, with their deeply nutty, slightly bitter flavor. Though regular sesame seeds will work here, we highly recommend seeking out benne seeds, which are available for purchase online. These thin, crisp cookies will be irresistable either way.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line 2 baking sheets or cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone liners.

Beat in a large bowl until light:

Gradually beat in until well blended:

Add:

Beat the batter until smooth, then add:

Drop the batter by the teaspoon about 2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake 1 sheet at a time until the cookies are just browned at the edges, about 8 minutes, rotating the sheet halfway through. Let cool on the sheets for 2 to 3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.