A Special Cookie for Mother

Have you ever heard of benne seeds?   How about sesame seeds?  They're the same thing!  Sesame seeds comes from the benne plant, which slaves from Africa brought to America.  These delicious treats have become popular, particularly in South Carolina, and worldwide, for their nut-like flavor.   While there are all kinds of recipes for cookies and candy, here is my favorite. Oh, the alcohol will bake away and leave behind only its flavor. Treat Mom with a homemade batch of these goodies served on a pretty plate wrapped in a new tea towel and tied with a bow. She'll love them and love you. Well, she already loves you. :-)

     Enjoy, 

  Jane Marie

You'll Need:

• 1 cup white sugar
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup brandy
• 2 cups flour
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds to taste, more or less

Cream sugar and butter together well.

Slightly beat the eggs and add them to the creamed mixture.  Mix well.

Add the brandy and flour.  Mix well.

Roll out the dough and evenly sprinkle it with sesame seeds.

Press the seeds into the cookies and cut out circles (or other shapes) or roll up the flattened dough and slice off 1/4 inch circles.   Place slices or shapes on a greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 300°F for 4 to 8 minutes or until golden.

*******************************************************************

Goodbye Lie Diaries (and scroll down for VIDEO):

Late1800s

Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida 

Amelia Island's Velvet Undertow

                          Carolena's story                                                    

Carolena Dunnigan

 Carolena Dunnigan writes: As I think back to my--turbulent visit to Charleston, the way the chilled air crept beneath my skirts to cover my body like an icy shroud--Never mind that. It was miserable cold. When I eventually warmed due to the --Never mind that, either. What I will say is I certainly know the meaning of gluttony when it comes to anything benne.  I've never had a cookie recipe like Jane Marie's, with the brandy, but I'm willing to give it a try. So long was benne seeds are involved, it, for certain, will be wonderful. 

WATCH Amelia Island's Velvet Undertow Video HERE:

Carolena Dunnigan is the lead character in Amelia Island's Velvet Undertow, an historical novel packed with mystery, suspense, romance. She leaves the safety of her beloved Amelia Island and travels to Charleston in 1889. Lie upon lie drives her to Johnstown, Pennsylvania and into the great flood on Decoration Day of that year. Danger, Dread and Drama...   

The Goodbye Lie, Amelia Island's Velvet Undertow and Amelia Island's Mark of a Man are available in ebook and paperback at book sources everywhere.