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Penn’s Moon Benne Wafer Cookies

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IN COLD CHOCOLATE, is the third installment in the Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery series by Dorothy St. James. This newest release is a delightful story centered on protagonist, Charity Penn, who goes by the name of Penn. I love how the author has developed Penn’s character from the very first book and continues her progression through this third book. While this can be read as a stand-alone I personally think it is better to start at the beginning. The metamorphosis the protagonist experiences after inheriting her grandmother’s chocolate shop (whom she never even knew existed while growing up) can be better appreciated by reading the first two books. There is a subplot thread through each book with Penn trying to find out who her mother is and trying to connect with family she never knew existed. Ms. St. James throws in several curves that had me thinking about the story long after I read the last page. After all, life is truly about family and friends and the author has centered the books on this important theme.

When I started the book, I didn’t have much time before I had to leave for an appointment. I thought I would sit down, read a few pages to get a sense of the story and then be on my way. But instead, the first chapter started off quickly with conflict and pulled me so deeply into the story that I didn’t want to put it down at all. (I may have been a tad late for that appointment.) Ms. St. James creates memorable characters and scenes. I especially loved her portrayal of the sea turtles nesting and the hatchlings. She brings their risk of survival to light and what rescue groups are doing to help the sea turtles. The author effortlessly weaves these themes into a tightly knit plot with plenty of clues and suspects to keep the reader guessing while providing a cohesive and exciting conclusion.

Not only was this a page-turner of a story, but also a sweet read that had me craving chocolate and the desire to visit Penn’s chocolate shop! Ms. St. James includes a few recipes at the back of the book and has graciously allowed me to share her recipe for Penn’s Moon Benne Wafer Cookies. These crispy sesame seed-based cookies are simple to make but are taken to the next level of yumminess by dipping one side in white chocolate and the opposite side in dark chocolate. The result is a stunning presentation and a burst of scrumptiousness in your mouth with the creamy, rich chocolate coating the crispy wafer-thin cookie!

 

Penn’s Moon Benne Wafer Cookies are crispy wafter-thin sesame seed-based cookies dipped in white chocolate and the opposite side in dark chocolate.

 

Amazon Synopsis

In Dorothy St. James’s third delectable Southern Chocolate Shop mystery, a new batch of chocolate and troubles of the heart cause a string of disasters for the Chocolate Box’s new owner, Charity Penn.

The vintage seaside town of Camellia Beach, South Carolina seems like the perfect place for romance with its quiet beach and its decadent chocolate shop that serves the world’s richest dark chocolates. The Chocolate Box’s owner, Charity Penn, falls even further under the island’s moonlit spell as she joins Althea Bays and the rest of the turtle watch team to witness a new generation of baby sea turtles hatch and make their way into the wide ocean.

Before the babies arrive, gunshots ring out in the night. Cassidy Jones, the local Casanova, is found dead in the sand with his lover Jody Dalton—the same woman who has vowed to destroy the Chocolate Box—holding the gun. It’s an obvious crime of passion, or so everyone believes. But when Jody’s young son pleads with Penn to bring his mother back to him, she can’t say no. She dives headfirst into a chocolate swirl of truth and lies, and must pick through an assortment of likely (and sometimes unsavory) suspects before it’s too late for Penn and for those she loves in Dorothy St. James’s third rich installment of the Southern Chocolate Shop mysteries, In Cold Chocolate.

 

 

 

 

A special thanks to Dorothy St. James for providing a winner with a hardcover copy of IN COLD CHOCOLATE. Contest ends Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)  

 

 

 

 

 

Penn’s Moon Benne Wafer Cookies are crispy wafter-thin sesame seed-based cookies dipped in white chocolate and the opposite side in dark chocolate.

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Penn's Moon Benne Wafer Cookies

The recipe makes a crispy thin wafer with a powerful sesame flavor that is sandwiched between white chocolate on the top and dark chocolate on the bottom. Is it a candy or a cookie? Perhaps it's both!

This recipe for these simple black and white chocolates is perfect for cookie swaps or a way to add a touch of elegance to your parties. your friends will be begging you for your recipe while asking for more!

Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup sesame seeds (important for the wafer's distinctive taste)
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (gluten-free flours also work with this recipe)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 bag white chocolate chips
  • 1 bag fair trade dark chocolate chips
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure the oven rack is in the center position for even cooking.

  2. Toast the sesame seeds by heating them in a dry pan over medium-low heat. You want the seeds to turn a light golden color, so they'll release their flavors. Keep a close eye on them, you don't want them to burn.

  3. In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, and salt.

  4. With an electric mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar together until smooth and creamy. Add the egg and vanilla extract. Mix at a lower speed until combined. Add the flour mixture and continue to mix at the lower speed until the batter is smooth. Add the toasted sesame seeds and fold in with a spoon.

  5. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or a baking liner. Using a teaspoon, drop the dough onto the baking sheet. You can use the back of the spoon to help form a round shape in order to make sure your cookies come out moon shaped. Leave about 2 inches between the dough. The cookies will spread. Yes, you want them to spread!

  6. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges of the cookies turn a dark brown. (This is important, otherwise your wafers won't have that delightful snap.) Let cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

  7. Melt the white chocolate chips using either a double boiler or following the microwave directions on the bag. Using a tablespoon, coat the top of the cookies with the melted white chocolate. Place cookies in refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour to cool.

  8. Melt the dark chocolate chips using either a double boiler or following the microwave directions on the bag. Using a tablespoon, coat the bottom of the cookies with the melted dark chocolate. Place cookies in refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour to cool.

  9. Store in the refrigerator. 

Notes

Makes approximately 2 dozen. 

Penn’s Moon Benne Wafer Cookies are crispy wafter-thin sesame seed-based cookies dipped in white chocolate and the opposite side in dark chocolate.

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

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Penn’s Moon Benne Wafer Cookies are crispy wafter-thin sesame seed-based cookies dipped in white chocolate and the opposite side in dark chocolate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you receive my blog post via email you will need to visit my website to view the video.

 

I was provided an advance copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

 

Penn’s Moon Benne Wafer Cookies are crispy wafter-thin sesame seed-based cookies dipped in white chocolate and the opposite side in dark chocolate.

 

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57 thoughts on “Penn’s Moon Benne Wafer Cookies”

  2. I have never had the opportunity to see sea turtles nest or hatch. I think it would be an amazing sight.

  4. Love Dorothy St. James’ book and can’t wait for the opportunity to read “IN COLD CHOCOLATE”.

    The recipe for Penn’s Moon Benne Wafer Cookies sounds absolutely delicious and I’d love to try it.

    I have not had the privilege to see sea turtles nest or hatch other than on TV, but I think it would be amazing to see in person.

  5. Unfortunately I have never had the privilege to see sea turtles nest or hatch other than seeing this happen on Animal Planet. I found it fascinating how the mother lays her eggs, covers them and then returns to the water leaving the eggs to incubate and hatch all on their own. Also the fact that the eggs hatch and have the instinct to head toward the water is amazing. Thanks for including Dorothy St. James latest book on your blog. My fingers are crossed.

  12. Living in California, I had never had a Benne Wafer until I visited Charleston, SC. I love them now. Thank you for the recipe. Cannot wait to read this book. Thank you for the opportunity

  18. I’ve never seen sea turtle at all, except on TV, so I would love to see them through your eyes and words. Would love to read this; thank you for the chance to win.

  20. I have never seen sea turtles nest or hatch. I have only seen them via internet. I hope one day I will see them in person!

  21. I live in Boca Raton, Florida and have been to Gumbo Limbo to see rescued turtles. I haven’t seen any hatch, but near the coast they have installed special lights to help prevent the hatchlings from getting the street lights confused with the moon when they try to get to the ocean.

  27. Thank you for the giveaway! I’ve never seen sea turtles hatch but it’s something that is on my bucket list. Oh, and the cookies look fabulous!

  33. I haven’t had the opportunity to see sea turtles nest or hatch. However, I had the opportunity to snorkel in Malaysia and was amazed at how graceful they are when they swim.

  39. Not in person. I’ve seen it on tv. I would sure love to see it, I love animals and nature. I went to a turtle farm I think it was on the Grand Caymans, it was very interesting. Thank you so much for this chance.

  40. We have not seen sea turtles nest or hatch but have been to sea turtle habitats and aquariums in the Bahamas and other islands.

    Thank you for the recipe.
    Cynthia

  41. We have not seen sea turtles nest or hatch but have been to sea turtle habitats and aquariums in the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands.

    Thank you for the recipe.
    Cynthia

  42. I have never seen sea turtles nest on land or on land. I live in the Monterey Bay area of California and we have giant sea turtles here in the water. I have seen a couple over the years and they are magnificent swimming by ! We also have a couple at our local Monterey Bay Aquarium . Thank you for the opportunity. I would simply be in pure cozy heaven to have this wonderful book in hardback. I adore this series and cannot wait to read this new release ! From the cover, to the writing, to the sleuth and the recipes this is a great series.

  46. I love our little box turtles up here in the northland and sure do wish I could experience the nesting and hatching of the sea turtle, but sadly never have had the chance.

  49. No I’ve never seen sea turtles hatching or nesting in person but I have on t.v. & it looks amazing & I’d LOVE to be able to experience that.

  50. I have never seen them hatch, but have seen their nests along the beach. Thank you for the opportunity to enter your giveaway.

  51. “Have you ever had the opportunity to see sea turtles nest or hatch?” No, I don’t think so. I’ve seen giant tortoises at zoos, but I don’t think I’ve seen “sea turtles” at all, alas!

  53. Only on documentaries and movies, never in person. Would love to! Thank you for the great recipe, giving this a try on Thursday for my age day, Lol.

  54. I’ve never seen anything cool like that. The one time I was able to go to Hawaii, in high school, the jelly fish were ashore so we couldn’t even go swimming while we were there. It was sad. I’ve been dreaming of the day I go back and just sit on the beach and in the water for days on end to make up for it.

  55. I have never seen Sea Turtles nest or hatch. I’ve only viewed them at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. They are awesome!!

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