BLACK AND WHITE COOKIE, USA

20TH CENTURY

 

OTHER NAMES: Half moon cookie, half and half cookie, Amerikaners (Germany’s style: also called Ammoniumhydrogencarbonatikaner or Ammoniakaner)

 

A black and white cookie is a thick, soft, sponge-cake-like shortbread that is iced on one half with vanilla fondant, and on the other half by chocolate fondant. Its origin is unclear, but most believed they were originally called Half-moons and first appeared in Utica, New York at Hemstrought's Bakery in the early 20th century.

 

Today “half-moons” is only common in Upstate New York and New England. In New York City one will find only black-and-whites, which is often bigger in size and known as a New York City’s snack. [1] Visit HERE if you want to find out more about differences between NY/New England’s Half-moon cookie and New York City’s Black and White cookies.

 

In Germany there is also a black and white cookie that’s called “Amerikaner,” which was introduced to Germany from American soldiers after World War II around late 1940s to 1950s. [2] It is a light vanilla flavored crumb with half melted chocolate and half sugar glaze. (or only one glazing)[3] They're popularly given to kids as a snack after school or at birthday parties. [4]

 

In the United States Black and White Cookie, in particular, is often brought up as metaphors. In 1998 Seinfeld episode "The Dinner Party", Jerry eats a black-and-white cookie and compares the cookie to a metaphor for racial harmony and that people should "Look to the cookie!" [5] On October 19, 2008, Barack Obama dubbed them “Unity Cookies” at a deli in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. [6]

 

BASIC INGREDIENTS:

egg, baking powder, milk, Butter, sugar, vanilla extract, flour, fondant

 

Optional: lemon juice, salt, cake flour, sprinkle