Black and White Cookie

These iconic New York City cookies consist of a soft, cake-like base that is covered in equal parts chocolate and vanilla frosting or fondant. Their origin is somewhat of a mystery, and one theory claims that they evolved from the incredibly similar half-moon cookies that are predominantly found in Upstate New York. However, these treats come with chocolate and vanilla base and usually have a buttercream topping. Others believe that black and white cookies originated as a separate dessert at the beginning of the 20th century, and the name that is often associated with its origin is Glaser's Bake Shop in Yorkville. To add to the confusion, in Germany, similar cookies are known as Amerikaners and are typically only vanilla-glazed. Regardless of its origin, the black and white cookie remains one of the classic New York City desserts that is found in numerous bakeries and delis across the city.