West Africa · Dessert
Benne Cake (Crisp Sesame Seed Brittle)
A glossy, snapping Sierra Leonean brittle made of aromatic toasted sesame seeds suspended in spiced caramelized sugar.
The story
Benne Cake holds a sacred place across Temne, Mende, and Krio traditions in Sierra Leone, prominently shared as an auspicious offering at weddings, child-naming ceremonies, and Eid feasts. The word 'benne' is the ancient West African name for sesame, carried across the Atlantic during the diaspora. Master confectioners know that controlling the caramel's descent from amber to deep auburn alongside freshly toasted seeds produces a clean, glass-like snap rather than a sticky chew.
Cook this next
Granat Cake (Caramelized Peanut Brittle Squares)
Classic Sierra Leonean hard peanut brittle squares bound in dark ginger-infused brown sugar caramel.
Kanya (Pounded Toasted Peanut and Rice Flour Sweet)
A crumbly, melt-in-the-mouth Mende sweet confection made from dry-toasted rice and roasted peanuts pounded with sugar.
Rice Bread (Spiced Fermented Rice and Banana Cake)
A dense, naturally gluten-free Sierra Leonean spiced banana cake baked with finely ground rice flour and warming ginger.
Agidi (Steamed Fermented Cornstarch Loaves)
Silken, delicate steamed loaves of fermented white cornstarch elegantly wrapped and set in fragrant banana leaves.