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- Benne Cake

Benne Cake
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 1 call-purpose flour
- 1 cbenne flour
- ¾ cgranulated sugar
- 2 tspbaking powder
- ½ tspkosher salt
- ¾ cwhole milk
at room temperature
- ½ cunsalted butter
- ¼ cneutral oil
- 2 tspvanilla extract
- 2 largeeggs
at room temperature
- Powdered sugar
for dusting
- Fruit preserves
ice cream, or whipped cream, for serving
Directions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat an 8-inch round cake pan with cooking spray. Line bottom of cake pan with parchment paper, and coat parchment paper with cooking spray.
- 2
Whisk together all-purpose flour, benne flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
- 3
Whisk together milk, melted butter, oil, vanilla, and eggs in a separate large bowl until smooth. Add flour mixture to milk mixture, and whisk gently until just combined. (Do not overmix.) Pour batter into prepared cake pan, and smooth top.
- 4
Bake until a wooden skewer inserted into the cake’s center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cake cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Loosen edges of cake using a small offset spatula; turn cake out onto a wire rack, and let stand for 10 minutes. Transfer cake to a plate. Dust with powdered sugar. Serve warm with whipped cream, ice cream, or fruit preserves (if using).

Benne Cake
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About this Recipe
Indulge in the Irresistible Nutty Charm of Benne Cake
Prepare to fall in love with a truly special dessert: our tender Benne Cake. This isn't just any cake; it's a delightful exploration of flavor, centered around the unique, warm, and nutty notes of toasted benne flour. If you've never experienced benne, also known as sesame flour, you're in for a treat that elevates a simple cake into something extraordinary.
Our Benne Cake recipe crafts a wonderfully moist and tender slice perfect for any occasion. The secret lies in the harmonious blend of ingredients: premium benne flour for that signature taste, combined with all-purpose flour for structure, and a thoughtful mix of milk, melted butter, and neutral oil to ensure a supremely soft crumb. Each bite offers a delicate balance of sweetness and a distinct, captivating nuttiness that's both comforting and sophisticated.
This dessert is incredibly versatile, making it a fantastic addition to your baking repertoire. With a total time of just over an hour, you can whip up this impressive nutty dessert for family gatherings, potlucks, or simply to enjoy with your afternoon coffee. It’s an easy cake recipe that delivers big on flavor and texture.
Serving Suggestions & Variations
While delicious on its own, dusted with a little powdered sugar, our Benne Cake truly shines with a few simple additions:
- Classic Comfort: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream.
- Fruity Freshness: A spoonful of your favorite fruit preserves, like raspberry or apricot, adds a lovely tart counterpoint.
- Citrus Zest: For a brighter flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of orange or lemon zest to the batter before baking.
- Chocolate Drizzle: A light drizzle of melted dark chocolate can complement the benne's nutty profile beautifully.
Embrace the subtle elegance and unforgettable flavor of this Benne Cake. It’s more than just a dessert; it’s an experience waiting to be savored.