Simple Sundays | Remembering with a Black-and-White Cookie
We weren’t supposed to turn on the television.
It was our own rule. We were on our honeymoon.
But for some reason, the television was on. It was daybreak, six hours away.
We weren’t supposed to see the horror on the screen. We weren’t supposed to be wondering where our dearest friends and coworkers working in the towers were, not knowing if they were okay…the same friends who toasted us at our wedding just days earlier. Wondering about the hot dog stand vendor near the base of the World Trade Center who gamely took photos with me in my wedding gown. Feeling frustration at being so far away…at the busy phone lines. Feeling confusion and sadness. Sadness for those lost and for those left behind. Grieving for the world.
It was such a somber time, and we will never forget.
Today, I remember 9/11 with a Black-and-White Cookie.
The Black-and-White Cookie is a New York classic. Ask anyone who has spent some time there, and they will likely smile when they recall the quintessential black-and-white cookie found on bakery counters and delis throughout the city. Old time bakers bolstered surplus cake dough with flour to create these soft cookies frosted with vanilla and chocolate frosting, reminding me of the resourcefulness of New Yorkers. I have craved this cookie for quite a while, and it seemed an appropriate one to share with you on a day like today. The black-and-white cookie is about making the most with what is left, it is about restraint and simplicity. It is humble. It juxtaposes darkness against light.
I baked a couple of batches this weekend, testing classic recipes that use cake flour to those that have clearly evolved over time. I think I found one that reminds me of my childhood and the city I will always love.
Black and White Cookies
Yield: Makes 8 large cookies.
Ingredients:
For cookies
- 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup well-shaken buttermilk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
- 1/3 cup (5 1/3 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
For icings
- 1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
- 1 tablespoon agave nectar
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 to 2 tablespoons water
- 1/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Measure out the buttermilk and stir in the vanilla. Set both aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and the sugar until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and beat another minute more. Mix in the flour mixture in two batches, alternating with the buttermilk.
On a parchment paper lined baking tray, drop 1/4 cup of the batter (about a standard sized ice cream scoop), two inches apart. Bake for about 14-16 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the icing by combining sugar, agave nectar, lemon juice, vanilla and 1 tablespoon of water in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth. Pour half of the icing in another bowl and mix in the cocoa powder. Add the other tablespoon of water to thin the icing until its consistency matches the white icing. Frost the cookies by spreading the white icing on one half and the chocolate on the other, on the flat side of the cookies.
Adapted from Black-and-White Cookie recipes from Epicurious and The New York Times
Oh my goodness, these Black and Whites are absolutely divine !!! I want to bite into one right now! Lovely post for this day 9/11 ! Thanks for sharing!
I must admit I still do crave these cookies. A symbolic choice for remembrance of one of our darkest days.
Perfect honoring of NYC with these cookies, thanks for sharing…
It’s painful to even watch the 9/11 videos,can’t imagine how hurtful it must be for the families affected. My heart goes out to those families affected by this tragic incident. Love and prayers to them. Your post is so apt and perfect honor for the day
Black and White Cookies! Very symbolic. On the other hand, your cookies look great liren!
It’s a lovely blog post. The cookies are perfect.
Perfect pick to honor 9/11. Beautiful cookie.
What a great way to honor a wonderful city. It’s one that I’d love to visit one day. I never knew about this black-and-white cookie business and NYC. Now, I know :-) Thank you for sharing it with us.
Those look so gorgeous! I love black and white cookies and I realize now that I haven’t had one in ages; I’m going to have to give these a try. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for this post. As a New Yorker I appreciate the thought and effort. Black and Whites are surely a New York favorite and one of my husbands. I think this post is one of my favorites. We will never forget.
Perfect cookie for a day of remembrance~
Beautiful cookies! I’m suddenly wondering why I haven’t made Black and White cookies in years…and I’m a New York gal! :)
It is true… the black and white is a NYC staple. Something I certainly grew up on and always associate with trips to a deli. And this is a truly touching post for September 11th. It’s a day I certainly will never forget, but I do hope that it gets better as the years go by.
I’ve been to NYC many times but somehow never tried a black & white cookie. Thank you for a lovely tribute and a delicious recipe.
Yummy, these look so good!
I used to always pass these cookies over, but my dad loves them and he’s turned me into a convert. So simple but so, so good.
Those look very tasty and fitting for a day to remember.
What a great post, I spent the day in my apt crossing my fingers that all this heightened security led to no horrible tragedies. I wish I had one of these cookies to take my mind off of it…they look amazing. :)
What a lovely post and a great way of honoring New York. At first I thought you made the black and white checker cookies. But these look way better.
Liren – what a great tribute to 911! I was glued to the TV yesterday and my thoughts and prayers went out to all of the families and folks directly affected by this tragic event. It was nice to see these happy and cheerful cookies! Lovely post!
This is a great tribute to 9/11. The cookies look lovely and I never had these cookies before but now I can’t wait any longer.
What a beautiful tribute post and the cookies look delicious!
These are perfect cookies to a beautiful post.
Perfect tribute. The black & white is such a classic symbol of New York.
Black and White cookies are the perfect way to honor a city that once was torn and broken and now is rebuilding. Hard to believe it’s been 10 years since that tragic day. Lovely post.