Have you had black and white cookies? Any easterner is familiar with these cookies, which are actually more like a cake. They originated in New York and they’re sold at almost every bakery or deli in the city. They began as a way to use leftover cake batter, which explains why they taste more like cake than cookies. The only thing to decide is which side is better: the chocolate or vanilla side? Here’s how to make them at home.
Ingredients:
Cookies:
- 2 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2) sticks butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- zest from 1/2 lemon
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup milk
Frosting:
- 4 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp. corn syrup
- 6 tbsp hot water, divided
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375 F and line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a large bowl.
- In another bowl, beat butter, sugar, and lemon zest until it’s light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, and continue beating with each egg. Add vanilla and almond extract.
- Add dry ingredients to the mixture and beat. Add sour cream and milk and beat until everything is combined.
- With a large cookie scoop, scoop dough and put it on the baking sheets.
- Bake until the cookies are golden brown, for about 12 to 15 minutes. Place them on a wire cooling rack to cool.
- While the cookies are baking, make the frosting. In a large bowl combine powdered sugar, corn syrup, 5 tablespoons of hot water, and vanilla. Add hot water, 1 teaspoon at a time until the mixture is spreadable. It’s better for the icing to be thicker.
- Put half the icing into another bowl and add cocoa powder and 1 tablespoon hot water and mix until combined. Add more hot water until you reach the desired consistency.
- Flip the cookies to the flat side and with an offset spatula, spread the vanilla icing on one side of each cookie. Wait 15 minutes for it to harden.
- Spread chocolate icing on the other half of the cookie and let it harden for about 15 minutes.
- Enjoy!