Benne Seed Angel Biscuits Food

ANGEL BISCUITS

Steps:

• Stir the warm water and honey in a small bowl until dissolved, then stir in the yeast; set aside until creamy or foamy, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and kosher salt in a large bowl.
• Add the cut-up butter to the flour mixture and work it in with your fingertips until the butter is in pea-size pieces. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture and buttermilk. Stir with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until the flour is completely moistened and the dough looks like a shaggy ball. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature until the dough is doubled in size, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Lightly brush the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie plate or 9- to 10-inch cast-iron skillet with melted butter. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and briefly knead three or four times until smooth. Pat until 1 inch thick; fold in half like a book and pat to 1 inch thick again. Rotate the dough 90 degrees and repeat folding and patting two more times. Cut out rounds using a 2 1/4-inch biscuit cutter (dip the cutter in flour if the dough is sticky). Gently knead the scraps together once to cut out more biscuits. You should have about 10. Place them close together in the pan. Cover and refrigerate until the biscuits rise and are cold and firm, at least 3 hours or overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 425˚ F. Brush the tops of the biscuits generously with melted butter. Bake until browned on top and firm in the spots where the biscuits meet, 20 to 25 minutes. Brush again with more melted butter and sprinkle with flaky salt. Let cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes, then slide out.

BENNE SEED BISCUITS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
• Place the benne seeds in a shallow pan and roast for 5 minutes. They should be the color of butterscotch and have a delicious toasted smell. If they're not ready, shake the pan to toss and return to the oven for 1 to 2 minutes, but be careful not to burn them.
• Sift the flour, baking powder and teaspoon of salt into a large bowl. Add the lard and work the mixture with a pastry blender or your fingertips until it has the texture of cornmeal. Add the milk and mix well. Mix in the benne seeds. Place the dough on a floured surface, knead for a few seconds and shape into a ball.
• Roll the dough out to about 1/8-inch thickness. Using a 2-inch biscuit cutter, stamp out rounds and lay them on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for about 12 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with a little bit of salt and serve hot. The biscuits may be stored in an airtight tin or jar; reheat before serving.

BENNE COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 2 large cookie sheets with butter.
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat and add the benne seeds, stirring them until coated. Toast the seeds, stirring frequently, until fragrant and darkened a shade, 2 to 3 minutes. Take care not to burn the seeds and turn down the heat if needed. Scrape onto a plate and let cool completely.
• Whisk the flour, baking soda and salt together in a medium bowl.
• In a large bowl, cream together the remaining 8 tablespoons/115 grams butter and both sugars until well combined and fluffy. Add the egg and beat well. Add the cooled toasted benne seeds and the vanilla, then stir in the flour mixture.
• Drop rounded teaspoonfuls of the cookie dough at least 2 1/2 inches apart on 1 prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until golden brown around the edges. Remove the wafers from the cookie sheet immediately and place on waxed or parchment paper to cool. Repeat with the remaining dough on the second cookie sheet, reusing the first sheet when it's cool, if needed.

BENNE CAKES (SESAME COOKIES)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325°F.
• Lightly spray cookie sheet with oil.
• Mix together the brown sugar and butter, and beat until they are creamy.
• Stir in the egg, vanilla extract, and lemon juice.
• Add flour, baking powder, salt, and sesame seeds.
• Drop by rounded teaspoons onto the cookie sheet 2 inches apart.
• Bake for 15 minutes or until the edges are browned.
• Enjoy!