Bread/Benne Wafers

By latin1

Benne is the Nigerian word for sesame seeds which slaves consider to be lucky.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sesame seeds (5 oz.)
• 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp cream of tartar
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• Salt
• 2/3 cup chilled lard or vegetable shortening
• 2/3 cup cold milk

Details

Servings 100

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Toast the sesame seeds in a pie pan in the oven for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deep golden. Transfer to a plate and let cool.
In a large bowl, sift the flour with cream of tartar, baking soda, and 1 tsp salt. Cut in the lard until the mixture resembles coarse meal. stir in the sesame seed and the milk and mix until well blended.
turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly. Divide the dough in half. Roll out dough as thinly as possible. (at most 1/8" thick). Prick the dough all over with a fork and stamp out 2" rounds. Transfer the rounds to a large baking sheet and sprinkle with salt. Bake for about 14 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool slightly, then transfer to rack. Serve the wafers warm or at room temperature.
The wafers can be stored in an airtight container for up to one week. Rewarm before serving.