As a non-native New Yorker (yes, I admit it), black and whites have never been my favorite type of cookie, but as an almost 5-year New York resident, I've eaten my fair share and as a person who loves to bake, they were going to need to come out of my kitchen eventually. The cookie is famous in its own right, but I wanted to attribute it to a particularly New York-y show and moment, so Seinfeld was the perfect fit. In a perfectly Seinfeld-y scene we get both an obsession with the cookie itself AND a great view of the cookie. There's not much more to be said except sorry in advance for making you wanting to watch that episode since you know you can't just stop at one (that can apply to the cookie AND the show, see what I did there!).
Black and White Cookies
inspired by Seinfeld season 5, episode 13
makes about 24 cookies
- 1 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp lemon extract or fresh lemon juice
- 2 1/2 cups cake flour (or sifted all-purpose flour)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3-1/2 cup boiling water
- 1 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped
Preheat oven to 375ºF. Grease two baking sheets and set aside.
Cream sugar and butter in a bowl until fluffy. Mix in eggs, milk, and extracts until smooth.
Mix together flours, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ones in batches until combined. The batter should be more like you expect for cake than a dough you get for cookies. In large spoonfuls, dollop batter onto the baking sheets at least two inches apart. Bake 20-30 minutes or until the edges are beginning to brown. The cookies should be spongey and cake-like. Remove from oven and let cool completely on wire racks.
For the frosting, add powdered sugar to a bowl. Add boiling water gradually and stirring until the mixture is thick and spreadable. Place half the frosting in the top of a double boiler or bowl over a pot with simmering water and add chocolate. Stir until the chocolate is melted and frosting is smooth and remove from heat.
Dip or brush cookie half with the white and half with the chocolate frosting. Let set and enjoy!
recipe from the New York Times.
[made while watching The Great British Baking Show.]
Look to the cookie!!!!