Benne Seed Candy and Cookies: A Sweet Part of South Carolina's Food History

What benne is and why it matters in South Carolina cooking

Benne is a sesame seed brought to the Lowcountry through the African diaspora, and it has been baked into South Carolina sweets for nearly 400 years. The word itself comes from Bantu languages spoken in West and Central Africa. In Charleston and the surrounding region, benne appears most often in two forms: thin, crispy benne wafers (also called benne brittle or benne candy) and benne seed cookies, which are denser and chewier than the wafers.

The seeds have a mild, slightly nutty flavor that deepens when toasted. They add texture and a subtle richness to desserts without overpowering other ingredients. Benne candy and cookies became part of Charleston's identity during the colonial period and remain a signature treat you can find in bakeries, gift shops, and home kitchens across the state.

Key Takeaways

• Benne is a sesame seed with roots in West African and Central African food traditions, brought to South Carolina through the slave trade.
• Benne wafers are thin and brittle, while benne cookies are thicker and chewier, though both use the same basic ingredient.
• You can buy benne candy and cookies at Charleston bakeries, gift shops, and farmers markets, or make them at home with sesame seeds, butter, and sugar.
• Benne sweets pair well with coffee or tea and are often given as gifts or served at holiday gatherings in South Carolina.

Where to buy benne candy and cookies in South Carolina

Charleston has the deepest tradition of benne sweets, and several bakeries and confectioners there make them year-round. Benne on My Mind, located on King Street, specializes in benne brittle and other sesame-based treats. The Gourmet Shop in downtown Charleston carries locally made benne wafers alongside other regional candies. Both shops sell single pieces and gift boxes.

Beyond Charleston, you can find benne cookies and candy at farmers markets in Columbia, Beaufort, and Greenville, often made by local bakers who sell under their own names. Many gift shops in historic districts stock benne brittle as a take-home souvenir. If you are near the coast, check with local bakeries in Beaufort and Georgetown—both towns have strong Lowcountry food traditions and often carry benne sweets.

Online retailers ship benne candy across the country, though buying in person lets you taste before committing to a full box. Prices range widely depending on whether you are buying single pieces or gift assortments, and whether the candy is made fresh or packaged for longer shelf life.

How to make benne wafers and cookies at home

Benne wafers are simpler to make than they look. The basic recipe calls for sesame seeds, butter, brown sugar, and a small amount of flour or cornmeal to bind them. You toast the sesame seeds first to bring out their flavor, then mix them with melted butter and sugar, drop small spoonfuls onto a baking sheet, and bake at a moderate temperature until golden and crisp. The whole process takes about 20 minutes from start to finish.

Benne cookies use a similar base but include more flour and sometimes an egg, which makes them hold together better and creates a chewier texture. Some recipes add vanilla extract or a pinch of salt to balance the nuttiness of the seeds. Both versions can be made in a standard home oven and store well in an airtight container for several days.

Sesame seeds are widely available at grocery stores, health food shops, and online retailers. Look for raw or lightly toasted seeds—toasting them yourself gives you more control over the final flavor. If you cannot find sesame seeds locally, bulk bins at stores like Harris Teeter often carry them year-round.

The history of benne in the Lowcountry

Benne seeds arrived in South Carolina during the 1600s and 1700s as part of the forced migration of enslaved Africans. The seeds were valuable to people from West Africa and the Congo region, where sesame had been cultivated for thousands of years. Enslaved cooks incorporated benne into the foods they made, blending African ingredients and techniques with the crops and cooking methods available in the Lowcountry.

Over time, benne sweets became part of Charleston's culinary identity, appearing in cookbooks and at markets by the 1800s. White Charlestonians adopted benne candy as a regional specialty, though the African origins of the ingredient and the cooks who first used it were often erased from the story. Today, food historians and chefs are reclaiming that history, recognizing benne sweets as a direct link to African American foodways and resilience.

Benne remains most prominent in Charleston and the Lowcountry, but you can find it in bakeries and restaurants across South Carolina that draw on regional food traditions. It appears in everything from brittle to cookies to savory applications like benne-crusted fish.

Pairing benne sweets with drinks and meals

Benne wafers and cookies are best enjoyed with coffee, tea, or a glass of milk. The slight nuttiness of the sesame complements both hot and cold beverages without competing for attention. Many people in South Carolina serve benne candy at afternoon tea or as part of a dessert spread at holiday gatherings.

Because benne sweets are not heavily spiced or flavored, they work well alongside other desserts on a dessert table. They also make good gifts—the candy keeps well when stored properly, and a small box of homemade or artisanal benne wafers is a thoughtful take-home for visitors or a hostess gift.

Storing and keeping benne candy fresh

Benne wafers are most crispy when eaten within a day or two of baking, but they keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If they soften, you can re-crisp them in a low oven (around 300 degrees) for a few minutes. Benne cookies, which are chewier, stay fresh for three to five days in a sealed container.

Do not refrigerate benne sweets, as moisture in the fridge will make them soft and sticky. If you want to keep them longer, freeze them in an airtight container for up to a month. Thaw at room temperature before opening the container to avoid condensation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are benne seeds the same as sesame seeds?

Yes. Benne is the Bantu word for sesame, and the seeds are identical. The term "benne" is used in South Carolina and the Lowcountry specifically to honor the African heritage of the ingredient and the cooks who brought it to the region.

Can I make benne candy without a candy thermometer?

Yes. Most home benne wafer recipes do not require a thermometer—you simply bake until the edges turn golden brown. If you are making a more complex brittle with caramelized sugar, a thermometer helps, but many traditional recipes rely on visual cues instead.

Do benne sweets contain nuts?

Traditional benne wafers and cookies contain only sesame seeds, butter, sugar, and flour or cornmeal—no tree nuts or peanuts. Always check the label or ask the baker if you have a nut allergy, as some recipes may include other ingredients or be made in a facility that processes nuts.

Where can I buy sesame seeds if my local store does not carry them?

Bulk bins at larger grocery stores like Harris Teeter and Food Lion usually stock sesame seeds year-round. Asian markets and health food shops are also reliable sources. Online retailers ship them quickly if you cannot find them locally.

What is the difference between benne wafers and benne brittle?

Benne wafers are thin and crispy, made by dropping small spoonfuls of batter onto a baking sheet. Benne brittle is thicker and often made with caramelized sugar, creating a harder candy. Both are delicious—wafers are lighter and more delicate, while brittle is denser and chewier.