Benne Cookies

Benne cookies are small, crisp sesame-seed cookies sold as a snack in the Bahamas.

In the Bahamas, sesame is called benne, so the name says exactly what the cookie is made from. They are a simple baked snack rather than a dessert course, and the seeds give them a nutty taste and a crunch that is most of their appeal.

What it really is

Flour, brown sugar and butter are mixed into a firm dough with sesame seed, then shaped into small pieces and baked until golden and dry. The brown sugar gives a deeper, caramel-like sweetness than white sugar would, and the toasted seeds carry most of the flavour. Recipes differ in how much sesame, sugar and butter they use, so the sweetness and texture vary from one maker to the next.

How it's served

• Cold or at room temperature, one or two at a time.
• Whole and eaten by hand, sold by the piece or in small bags.
• On its own or with a hot drink, rather than as a plated dessert with sauce.

How to write it on the menu

• Name it as Benne Cookies and add "sesame seed" to the description, so guests know what the benne is.
• Flag sesame, wheat and milk. Sesame is not in the name, so it needs its own flag.
• Confirm with the kitchen whether egg is used, because recipes differ, and state it on the menu.
• Give the price per piece or per bag, and say whether they are made in-house.