Paleo Sesame Cookies + 24 hours in Charleston

In December, we took a trip to US and Charleston was one of our stops. We also went to Savannah and New Orleans (which you can read about here). I wanted to show Mr. Texanerin the South and am so happy I picked those cities!

Paleo Sesame Cookies (Benne Wafers - a South Carolinian specialty

One of the treats we enjoyed in Charleston were benne wafers, or crisp sesame seed cookies, which are a specialty of the gorgeous coastal area of South Carolina called the Low Country. Sesame was probably first grown in Africa and brought to the US, along with sweet potatoes, peanuts, collard greens, black-eyed peas and okra, by slaves in the 17th and 18th centuries. Why are they called benne wafers? Benne is the Bantu word for sesame seeds, which were thought to bring luck.

Paleo Sesame Cookies (Benne Wafers - a South Carolinian specialty

Benne wafers are thin and crisp. That’s not usually my kind of cookie, and I’m not big on sesame seeds, either, but I actually thought these cookies were pretty addictive. I found a recipe on My Recipes that was pretty easy to make paleo. Just switch out the flour, sugar and fat and bam! Paleo benne wafers.

I used coconut sugar, but if you prefer dates, check out these black sesame cookies!

Charleston Houses

And now I’ll tell you a bit the trip that inspired this recipe! Like I mentioned in my New Orleans post, the first thing we do in a new city is go on a free walking tour – the kind where you tip the guide at the end. We did one with Scott of Free Tours by Foot and loved him! He was super fun, knowledgeable and the tour gave us a bunch of great background info on Charleston.

Houses in Charleston

Before we discovered these tours, we’d just wander around cities on our own and not learn anything of the history. You get such a better understanding of a city after only a 2-hour tour, which is why we always make it our first stop.

Gorgeous houses in Charleston

The architecture in Charleston is beautiful. If you don’t want to do a tour, you could just walk around for hours looking at the pretty houses.

Rainbow Row in Charleston

Above you see Rainbow Row, which is a series of 13 historic houses.

Four Ninety Two in Charleston

Is it weird that palmetto trees, one of South Carolina’s symbols, make me happy?

Pineapples

You’ll see pineapples, which are a symbol for hospitality, everywhere in Charleston. Apparently they were all the rage in American colonies and hostesses who offered pineapple were proclaiming their affluence. We also learned that sea captains would spear a pineapple on a stick in front of their house to let others know that they were home.

Palmetto trees

I feel like a lot of US cities don’t have such an interesting history. Not all, but a lot of them. I mean, Dallas, for example, was founded in 1841. Nobody throw rocks at me, but I don’t find its history very compelling. Charleston, though, was founded in 1670 and has a rich history and culture.

Sunset in Mount Pleasant

The reason we went to South Carolina was to visit Caroline of Chocolate & Carrots. Her family lives in Mount Pleasant, which is just outside of Charleston and has lovely beaches where we could watch the sun set!

Mount Pleasant Sunset

One night during our stay with Caroline, Mr. T and I went into Charleston and stayed at the Fulton Lane Inn, which is right on King Street – one of the main streets in town.

Entrance to Fulton Lane Inn

We had never stayed in such a central location and LOVED how convenient it was to everything. In the past, Mr. T and I would choose locations that are a bit outside of the city center to save some money. We’re quite frugal travelers, I have to admit. ;) But staying here has spoiled us.

Room at Fulton Lane Inn in Charleston

Our room was bright, spacious and comfortable. It even had a fireplace! Too bad that it was t-shirt and shorts weather, even in December. ;)

Room at Fulton Lane Inn

People were soooo friendly in Charleston and the staff at Fulton Lane Inn was no exception. Check-in is normally a straightforward, “Here’s your key! Now be off!” kind of thing but Zane, who checked us in, was so happy to give us tips, talk with us and to be honest, he was really entertaining. If you’re looking for Southern hospitality, then Fulton Lane Inn is for you.

Something that puzzled us were random people walking down the street asking, “How are you?” In Savannah, when we were out of the tourist areas, it was seriously like every other person who would greet us like that. We didn’t know how to answer! “Do they really want to know?! Are we supposed to ask them how they are, too? Is it the same exchange you do at the grocery store?”

Our Bathroom at Fulton Lane Inn in Charleston

But back to the inn! The bathroom was huge. Like twice the size of your typical Berlin kitchen. :D And immaculate!

Every evening, they have a wine and cheese reception as well as evening sherry. We thought that was a fun way to meet others and get the evening started!

Living Room at Fulton Lane Inn in Charleston

Our room even had a living room and a full kitchen. How cool is that?!

We normally love to have a kitchen but there’s so much amazing food just footsteps away I don’t know if you’ll need it. Cooking was the last thing on my mind but it was pretty awesome to have a fridge and a microwave to reheat leftovers!

Kitchen and Breakfast Menu at Fulton Lane Inn in Charleston

Something we thought that was really cool was the breakfast. The rates include complimentary continental breakfast, which you can order the night before using this card and they’ll deliver it during your desired timeframe. You can even choose gluten-free, lactose-free and vegan! If you don’t feel like eating in your room, you can walk next-door to their sister property to eat (it’s the same menu, though, so I say let it be delivered and be cozy in your pajamas! ;))

Belle Gem at Kitchen 208

Another option for breakfast is Kitchen 208, which is also next-door, but the other way! When I saw the Belle Gem, which is buttermilk fried chicken on a bacon waffle, on their menu, I was sold. It was so, so good. I’ve read that they have an awesome brunch so be sure to check that out if you’re there on the weekend!

It was such a great stay. We had no complaints and would love to go back when we’re in the city again! Seriously, y’all, that location can’t be beat! The cozy, charming rooms, the amenities and welcoming staff were just icing on the cake. :) Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or a trip with family, I think it’s an awesome choice.

My only problem with Charleston is that there were too many amazing places to eat and so little time. This biscuit came from Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit. We got three different types of biscuits for $5 and wished we would have gotten more! I sure miss biscuits. There’s not even a word for them in German because they don’t exist here.

Peninsula Grill Coconut Cake

One thing I was super excited to try was the famous coconut cake from Peninsula Grill, a fine-dining restaurant. Mr. T and I can’t imagine spending $100+ on dinner, but I had heard so much about this cake that I just had to try it. You can order it to go or to eat at the bar. But here’s the thing – it was $13.95. For a piece of cake. We could have gotten two nice lunches for that price in Berlin! It was really yummy… but $13.95. ;)

Poogan’s Porch was great for lunch. When looking for restaurants with Low Country specialties, they stood out. We seriously thought about ordering every starter and a main dish. I really wanted to show my German that American food is a thing (not just hot dogs and hamburgers like so many Europeans seem to think) and that it’s amazing. My favorite part was the smoked Gouda mac and cheese! And the biscuits.

I do wish there had been more to my buttermilk fried chicken platter, though Mr. T’s portion of shrimp and grits was very generous! He felt so incredibly full after eating that and a cup of she crab soup that we had to go back to the hotel and nap for a while.

During our last few hours in Charleston, we visited 5 different bakeries. I had plans to write this great bakery guide to Charleston but we were disappointed in most of them. I don’t want to badmouth any of them so I’ll just tell you about the one that we did like!

Brown’s Court Bakery had a great selection of fresh pastries, bread and other sweets. They also had a section with pre-packaged homemade goodies that you could grab on-the-go. My favorite was the chocolate babka! We really liked everything we tried, though.

One day was definitely way too short for Charleston and we know that we’ll be back. What are some of your favorite places in the city?

Thanks to Fulton Lane Inn and Charming Inns for hosting us! As always, all opinions expressed are my own. :)

Paleo Sesame Cookies (grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free with whole wheat option)

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Rated 5.0 by 1 reader
Paleo Sesame Cookies + 24 hours in Charleston
  • Prep Time:
  • Cook Time:
  • Ready in:
  • Yield: 24 cookies

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup (50 grams) almond flour or 1/2 cup (62 grams) white whole wheat or all-purpose flour (use almond flour for paleo)1
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup (200 grams) coconut sugar or brown sugar (use coconut sugar for paleo)
  • 3 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons (51 grams) coconut oil2 or 1/4 cup (56 grams) unsalted butter, softened (use coconut oil for paleo)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup toasted sesame seeds3

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C) and line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper.
  2. In a small mixing bowl, stir together the almond flour, salt and baking soda. Set aside.
  3. In a medium mixing bowl, beat the sugar and fat with an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy. Add the egg and beat until well combined. Add the flour mixture, and mix just until combined. Stir in the lemon juice, vanilla, and sesame seeds. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheet about 4" apart (they spread a lot!)
  4. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. They'll be soft when you remove them from the oven but will crisp up as they cool. Cool completely on the baking sheet and then put away in an airtight container. These get soft if left at room temperature. Will stay crisp for at least 4-6 days.

Notes

  1. If you use white whole wheat or all-purpose, these will come out looking less like lace cookie-like.
  2. I like to use refined coconut oil, which doesn't have any coconut taste.
  3. You can toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat. About 3-5 minutes should do it, while stirring occassionally, or until lightly browned. You can also bake them on an ungreased baking sheet for 8-10 minutes at 350 °F (175 °C). Keep a close eye on them to make sure they don't burn!

Adapted from Benne Wafers on My Recipes

Recipe by  | www.texanerin.com

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27 comments on “Paleo Sesame Cookies + 24 hours in Charleston” — Add one!

  • Sam says
    January 24, 2017 @ 12:58 am

    I made the sesame cookies for myself. I have celiac and used 1 to 1 flour. They are awesome but my husband is gobbling them up. Too tasty!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Sam
      January 25, 2017 @ 8:17 pm

      Haha. It’s always a good sign when the husband wants to steals the cookies. ;) I’m so happy you both enjoyed them! Thanks for your comment.

      Reply
  • zahra says
    July 9, 2016 @ 5:26 pm

    Another great recipe! I used almond flour, coconut sugar and coconut oil..and they turned out as pretty as they are in your pictures! smelled heavenly and the taste was amazing.

    Reply
    • Erin replies to zahra
      July 10, 2016 @ 4:55 pm

      Yay! I’m happy to hear that they came out well and that they look like the pictures. Thanks a bunch for your comment. :)

      Reply
  • Flavia Dyckerhoff says
    June 11, 2016 @ 1:57 am

    Hallo Erin, vielen Dank for your posts! I simply love your recipes. I am from Brazil moving to Germany in 2 years. Herzliche Grüsse !

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Flavia Dyckerhoff
      June 11, 2016 @ 9:59 pm

      Hi Flavia! Thanks so much for your very nice comment. :) I’m happy to hear that you’re enjoying the recipes! Good luck with your move to Germany. I think you will miss the sun once you get here. ;)

      Reply
  • Rachelle says
    May 18, 2016 @ 11:09 pm

    I keep meaning to get up to Charleston! Great pics!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Rachelle
      May 25, 2016 @ 8:37 pm

      Thanks! You should totally go. :)

      Reply
  • Tara says
    May 16, 2016 @ 10:05 pm

    What a great post, I would love to go to Charleston, I agree I adore cities that are steeped in history!! The Fulton Lane Inn would be exactly where I would love to stay. That four poster bed is magical!!

    Reply
  • Kelly @ Nosh and Nourish says
    May 16, 2016 @ 3:33 pm

    I’m so intrigued by these cookies!! I love the ingredient list, so will be trying them asap. :)

    Reply
  • Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
    May 15, 2016 @ 11:14 pm

    I’ve never been to Charleston but it’s been on my travel bucket list for ages!!! This hotel looks beautiful!

    Reply
  • Sarah Walker Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella) says
    May 15, 2016 @ 7:29 pm

    What beautiful photos — now I want to visit Charleston too. Looks like a beautiful (and tasty!) place. Too bad about the bakeries though.

    As for history in the US, it’s a curious thing to me. When I traveled in Europe in my teens I was struck by how much history was there, and how long the history was. I felt like the US just couldn’t compare. But as I’ve gotten older, I have come to appreciate the storied history that does exist — particularly in New England where I live. It’s there, and it’s interesting, but it’s not as easily accessible in a lot of places, I think. I could be wrong though.

    Reply
  • Nutmeg Nanny says
    May 15, 2016 @ 2:05 pm

    What a fun trip! I have always wanted to go to Charleston but haven’t had the opportunity to get down there. Those houses – swoon! I had no idea that sesame cookies would be popular down south but I think they look awesome! Sometimes I’m all about a crispy little cookie bite.

    Reply
  • Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
    May 14, 2016 @ 2:47 am

    Those are the totally the perfect southern cities. I need to have a trip to Charleston soon! I love the pineapples everywhere. They’re all over Williamsburg too. Ps. love the cookies!

    Reply
  • Heather | All Roads Lead to the Kitchen says
    May 13, 2016 @ 10:25 pm

    Who needs a walking tour when we’ve got you!? :) Okay, I admit…this post just made me want to visit Charleston even more than I already did. Such a beautiful city, and these cookies look amazing. I love sesame seeds in sweets, so these are right up my alley.

    Reply
  • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
    May 13, 2016 @ 4:52 pm

    We love Charleston!! And these sesame cookies look and sound terrific, I can’t wait to try them!

    Reply
  • Lora @savoringitaly says
    May 13, 2016 @ 12:25 pm

    Charleston is just so pretty. I love the houses and I wish we would do another road trip and head to that area again. How nice you got to visit your friend and show your husband so many cool parts of America. Lovely cookies, Erin!!

    Reply
  • The Food Hunter says
    May 12, 2016 @ 11:22 pm

    I just adore Charleston…it looks like you had fun.

    Reply
  • Lauren Kelly Nutrition says
    May 12, 2016 @ 10:56 pm

    I love Charleston and haven’t bene there in ages! What a fun trip! You are truly the queen of healthier dessert, these cookies look amazing!

    Reply
  • eat good 4 life says
    May 12, 2016 @ 4:48 pm

    These cookies look to die for and I am loving all the city pictures. I truly love Charleston!

    Reply
  • Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama says
    May 12, 2016 @ 4:07 pm

    I just love sesame seeds, so I know these cookies would be right up my alley! Charleston, SC has been on my travel bucket list for a while now. I have been to the south many times, but I never seem to make it to Charleston. I need to make that happen soon! :)

    Reply
  • Charlotte Moore
    ♥♥♥♥♥
    says
    May 12, 2016 @ 12:53 am

    I think our youngest son stayed in Charleston a few days on a business trip a few years ago. I have never been. He lived in Charlotte, NC for almost 5 years. Not sure how far away that is from Charleston, SC. Now he lives back in GA about 35 mins. from us. So nice too. He lived away about 7 years total.

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Charlotte Moore
      May 12, 2016 @ 9:56 pm

      Don’t you live in Georgia? You need to get yourself to Charleston! It’s so nice! Perhaps you and your husband could go on a weekend getaway. :D

      Reply
  • Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
    May 12, 2016 @ 12:46 am

    I must be the only food blogger who does not travel!! Lol, but I have to admit, you make it look like a lot of fun and those cookies sound delicious!

    Reply
  • Cari says
    May 12, 2016 @ 12:31 am

    Now I know why I bought toasted sesame seeds a few weeks ago! ;) I would love to visit Charleston, love your photos.

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Cari
      May 12, 2016 @ 9:57 pm

      Thanks, Cari! I hope you’ll enjoy the cookies and that you’ll get to visit Charleston one day. :)

      Reply
  • Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
    May 11, 2016 @ 11:30 pm

    What a fun trip! Love the cute little room, and southern charm. Such yummy looking cookies too!

    Reply

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