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Wednesday, February 15, 2012

New York Black and Whites



These huge, dramatic-looking chocolate- and vanilla-iced cookies have enticed New Yorkers for the past 40 years!  A mainstay of deli bakery cases across New York City, they were once spotlighted on the Seinfeld television show.  Black and whites have a huge following and evoke fond memories, particularly among those who ate them as children.  I had personally never heard of them, living in the Midwest my whole life, but when I saw them featured in Nancy Baggett's All- American Cookie Book, I had to try them.  They were instantly named The Mister's favorite, so I  baked them for Valentine's Day.

If you'd like to bake them yourself, here's the recipe:

Cookies
3 c all purpose flour
3/4 t salt
1/4 t baking soda
1 1/3 c sugar
2/3 c butter, softened
1/2 c vegetable shortening
2 eggs
2 t vanilla
2 t light corn syrup
3/4 t lemon extract (I omitted)
1/3 c sour cream

Preheat oven to 350 F. Cover cookie sheets with parchment paper.
Mix dry ingredients and set aside.
With an electric mixer, blend butter, shortening and sugar until fluffy.  Add eggs, corn syrup, flavorings and mix well.  Alternate sour cream with dry ingredients and mix just until combined.
Let dough set 5 minutes to set up. ( I added 1/2 c more flour as mine was very wet)
Using 1/4 measure of dough, shape into balls (I used small ice cream scoop).  Place on baking sheets, spacing about 3.5" apart.  Using floured hands, press balls into 3.25" circles. Dough is very sticky. Bake 10-14 minutes until barely golden on the edges. (Mine took 8 minutes)

Fondants
1/4 c light corn syrup
5 c powdered sugar
3/4 t vanilla
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped

In medium sized saucepan, bring 1/2 c water and the corn syrup just to boil.  Remove from heat and pour over powdered sugar which has been placed in microwave safe bowl.  Stir with vanilla until completely smooth.  Place the chocolate in a small microwave safe bowl and pour 2/3 c of the hot fondant over the chocolate.  Stir until partially melted.  Add another 1/2 of the vanilla fondant and stir until completely incorporated.  (I had to microwave each to reheat and thin out with a little water to get to a fluid but not runny consistency, which you need to spread on the cookies).

Set cookies on wire racks which have been placed over wax paper to catch drips.  Place a small amount of the chocolate fondant in a pastry bag and using a #2 tip, pipe a straight line down the center of each cookie.  This is optional, but makes for a clean divide between the 2 different fondants.
Spread the sides with white and black, working quickly so the fondant retains it's shiny appearance.  I did all the white sides, then the chocolate, so I only had to keep one fondant the right consistency at a time.  Let sit several hours until firm.



68 comments:

  1. My, these are impressive looking! Fondant scares me--working with it I mean. :)

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    1. It really wasn't bad, Rebecca. I didn't like her instructions, but microwaving them helped and once you got the right consistency, it was fun! And they taste really delicious.

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    2. Rebecca ~ your heart-shaped meatloaf sounded very cute. I bet the boys loved that! :)

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    3. Oh yes, they hauled out a cloth table cloth and some candles, and we had a candle lit dinner. :) Hubby was pretty impressed too. He's pretty much a meat and potatoes man. Silver, don't even say it---I don't know what you're going to say, but I can feel you thinking something snarky. :)

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    4. Not me, Rebecca. Wouldn't go near it.

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    5. Oh that sounds so fun. :) I love meatloaf, too!

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  2. Yep. More sugar. Trying to kill me again!

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    Replies
    1. Silly. They were for The Mister! And yes, they probably would kill you, so look and don't touch. :)

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    2. "Look and don't touch." You have no idea how many times I've been told that!

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  3. Happy Valentines Day to you and your family :) boy am I getting fat here lol mmmmmmm

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    2. HAHA...sorry. Tiger was laying on the keys! :)

      Thanks, Gloria. They are delicious!

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    3. Whew! I thought you'd passed out at the computer!

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    4. I had no idea that Tiger was so profound. :)

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    5. so really Tiger answer me, but I dont understand he said:)

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    6. He's saying Gloria, bring me Kitty treats. :)

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    7. haha...he's profound AND heavy. ha. He's kindly moved over a little. And Gloria ~ he says you're a beauty and so nice. :)

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    8. ha, ok say thanks ! maybe you have reason Rebecca he wants some to eat, the dogs when I go out run to me, and for the food I know"

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    9. I guess Tiger can just sense you make good food! :)

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  5. Ha! The first thing I thought of when I saw this photo in my dashboard reader was "Seinfeld"... then I read your post - funny! (Yours look fantastic)

    Happy Valentine's Day!


    Kristin

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  6. These do look fantastic. I have never tried them, but they do look good.

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    1. They are worth it Michelle ~ your family would love them!

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  7. Looks like a moist/delish cookie! Love the babies healing day below...and your header pic! Happy V-Day! ;D

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    1. Thanks, Julie! The cats all seem to be doing great! That was exhausting for me, though!

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  8. I have heard of these cookies but never had them, I've never even been close to NYC!
    yours are very pretty too

    and what is with the message above with all the ... and 1111? did you doze off? :)

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  9. wow those are some big cookies! Never heard of them though before now. Hope you had a nice Valentines Day!

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  10. You still amaze me!
    This new form for comments is great. Love all the chit-chat.

    (I couldn't add a comment from work, other wise I would of jumped in sooner. I guess that says something doesn't it. Whew! Home from work and it's nice to be home).

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    1. Well, welcome home, Christine! :) Yes, this new format is great for conversations! ha. Now we aren't all strung out!
      I was thinking of your cute little cottage today! :)

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    2. I will try to post more pictures soon. Still trying to move in. Whew! Work always gets in the way of things.

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    3. I just think it's so charming! I love what you done with it so far!

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  11. For some reason I thought this post was going to be about cats...

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    Replies
    1. haha...well, I've had enough of those for a while, don't you think? And I counted the other day...5 out of the 9 cats are black and white!

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  12. LOL Tiger sitting on the keys and couldn't rhyme
    That is such a crime
    NY has it's very own cookies too
    Figures that would be true
    Do they have a cookie nazi as well?
    Like the soup nazi he tell them all to go to hell..lol
    No cookie for you
    Now I am through

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    Replies
    1. Tiger needs a lesson from Orlin
      yes, he needs to typing lessons!

      It's "Look to the cookie" from Sienfeld.
      Google youtube Sendfeld Black and White Cookie to view
      it's funny, I guarantee you.

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    2. haha yeah I knew which one it was from
      As gave every episode of hum
      Just had soup nazi stuck in my brain
      So went down that land
      And poor poor tiger can open a cage
      But can't type coherently on your page..haha

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  13. i def dont turn away the cookies...lol...these look good...you would be proud of me sis, i cooked dinner tonight...grilled steak, sauteed onions and peppers and sweet potato cakes...uh huh...haha hope you had a great valentines...

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    1. VERY proud...but not at all surprised. Good for you. Hope you get properly thanked later. lol....

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  14. You've really never heard of them? I had no idea that they were a NY thing!

    If Brother and I were good, we would get a black and white cookie after a day's errands. Since I had such a great Brother, he always let me have the chocolate side. Unless, of course, he was mad at me... :) haha

    Those look so yummy! I've never had them made from scratch before. They look great!

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    1. Yep...see...you are spoiled living there! :) I just love how big they are and they really do taste good! But I especially love the way they look. The photo in the cookbook made them seem irresistable. ha. I've eaten WAY too many today!

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  15. I love your new header drawing...such talent! About the Black and Whites...yum. Just yum.

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    1. thanks, Janice. That was a CT entry for last Valentine's Day!

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  16. Nuuuuuuummmmmmmmyyyyyy! :-) Hope you had a wonderful V day.

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  17. Oh I have to stop myself from licking the screen! :-)

    Take care
    x

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  18. Oh how I love it when you share recipes. I seem to just collect them and love the pictures. One can never have too many cookie recipes. I love how you can just grab a handful and eat them on the go. Thank you.

    God bless.

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    1. Hi Betsy,

      Yes , I did two Corner postings for TT, I am not sure but the song post just came into my brain and I had to get it out. I hope you liked it. It keeps playing in my head cuz I am stuck in a corner with you.

      God bless.

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    2. Wish you were close...I'd be happy to share some cookies with you! :)

      Look at you, doing 2 TT posts! :)

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  19. Ahhhh, your Mister is one lucky man!! Those look fabulous!

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  20. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm, those look SOOOO yummy. I have never had one!

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  21. Mmmm dear Betsy, I wish I could pick them off my screen.;) Hope you had a lovely Valentines day.;)
    I so love that image off you on the sidebar blowing kisses.;))
    xoxo

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    1. Zuz ~ I should have moved that photo up to the top for Valentine's Day! ha. Hope yours was wonderful, too! :)

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  22. Sorry to read that Spencer isn't feeling well. Hope he's better soon!!!!

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    1. He has a fever and cold. Not too bad, but not good for going to school.

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  23. Now why didn't I find these when I was in NY. There is only one thing for it - I will have to return.

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  24. Oh yes, they are a childhood favorite of mine! They are usually made very large, so one cookie is enough. I'd always eat the white side first and save my favorite chocolate side for the last bites :)

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    1. They are big!~ Mine were about as big as my hand, but the ones on the Sienfeld episode were even bigger! They are addicting!

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  25. Betsy Im sorry Spencer is sick, hope he feel better soon:)

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    1. Thanks, Gloria~ not sure if he will go to school tomorrow. he's been a good patient, though. :)

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    2. he has a cold betsy? or other thing?

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  26. wow, they look beautiful Betsy! we can see the artist in you in those cookies as well :-)

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