A black-and-white cookie, half-and-half cookie, or half-moon cookie is a round cookie iced or frosted on one half with vanilla and on the other with chocolate. In the German language they are called Amerikaner. There are regional differences: strictly, a black-and-white cookie is flat, has fondant icing on a shortbread base, and is common in New York City, while a half-moon cookie is slightly dome-shaped, has frosting on a cake base, and is common in Central New York. Often one side is frosted higher than the other. Black-and-white cookies may also be found with frosting instead of fondant.
The origin of the black-and-white cookie in New York City is commonly traced to Glaser's Bake Shop in Yorkville, founded in 1902 by Bavarian immigrants. The black-and-white cookie was among the original recipes used by the bakery. Half-moon cookies, however, can be traced to Hemstrought's Bakery in Utica, New York, around 1925. The relationship between the two origins is murky; it is likely that both recipes share a common German root, although the origin and name of Amerikaner in Germany is also unclear. Purported explanations include a corruption of the word Ammoniumhydrogencarbonat (ammonium bicarbonate, a leavening agent), or that the cookie was (re)introduced to Germany by American GIs in the 1950s. German Amerikaner are often frosted entirely with vanilla. In the former East Germany, due to anti-American sentiment, the name Ammonplätzchen (Ammonia cookies) was used.
Video Black and white cookie
In popular culture
Black-and-white cookies are mentioned twice on Seinfeld, set in New York City. In the episode "The Dinner Party", Jerry eats a black-and-white cookie while waiting in a bakery with Elaine. He uses the cookie as a metaphor for racial harmony and that people should "Look to the cookie!" In the episode "The Understudy", the hospitalized Bette Midler asks Kramer for one after she is injured at the softball game, telling him, "If I don't get a black-and-white cookie, I'm not going to be very pleasant to be around!".
Also in reference to for racial harmony, Barack Obama dubbed them Unity Cookies when visiting a deli in Hollywood, Florida in 2008.
Gary Dell'Abate (Babba Booey) of The Howard Stern Show is commonly teased for eating black and white cookies on the air by Sal Governale.
Black-and-white cookies were also mentioned in the pilot episode of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Maps Black and white cookie
See also
- Cuisine of New York City
- List of shortbread biscuits and cookies
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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