Benoekie 2.0 all set to go on sale

Three hundred and fifty eggs have been cracked, 26kg of sugar and 52kg of butter creamed, and the oven set to bake 37 pans of decadent sugar cookie.

The time has finally come for Westdene baker Yolandi Palmer to showcase her bigger-and-better Benoekie 2.0.

The delectable biscuit, skillfully drenched in royal icing, will go on sale at the Benoni Beer and Gin Festival, at Benoni Northerns, tomorrow (June 1).

Measuring a whopping 5.4m by 3m, portions of the giant biscuit will be on sale to raise funds for the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), Stand Against Suicide and iKhaya da Luz Children’s Home.

Dusting icing sugar and flour from her Rain Baking apron, Yolandi said preparations kicked into gear on May 27 with volunteers and helping hands flowing through the doors of George’s Bread & Co at the K90 Centre to assist.

“It has been a roller coaster week, but I am incredibly grateful for all the support I have received,” she said.

“None of this would have been possible without the selfless contributions from George’s and the Oakfields Pick n Pay.”

Yolandi’s Guinness Book of Records dreams have unfortunately been dashed with the international committee electing not to enter the attempt into its book, stating that a sugar cookie variant category is not currently available and that one will not be created.

“I am disappointed with the feedback, however, the record attempt was a secondary effort,” she said.

“The primary goal of undertaking this mammoth task was to raise much-needed funds for organisations close to my heart.

“The Benoekie is ready to be enjoyed and I hope to gain a lot of support from festival revellers.”

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