Benne Seed Raisin Bars

Name: Benne Seed Raisin Bars
Ingredients: 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar; 2/3 cup tahini (sesame seed paste); 1 large egg; 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup raisins, chopped; 1/2 cup benne (sesame) seeds, toasted lightly and cooled

9 ingredients

9 steps

Ingredients

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2/3 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup raisins, chopped
1/2 cup benne (sesame) seeds, toasted lightly and cooled

Directions

1

Preheat oven to 350F.
2

In a large bowl with an electric mixer cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3

Add tahini and beat until combined well.
4

Beat in egg, vanilla, and salt.
5

Add flour and beat batter until just combined.
6

Beat in raisins and benne seeds.
7

Spread batter evenly in a buttered jelly-roll pan, 15 1/2 by 10 1/2 by 1 inch, and bake in middle of oven until a tester comes out clean, about 16 to 20 minutes.
8

Let cool in pan on a rack and cut into 36 bars.
9

Bars may be made 3 days in advance and kept in an airtight container.