Soft vanilla cookies with a distinctive top layer of half chocolate and half vanilla icing. They are sweet, unique, chewy but cakey, and can become a favorite fast. The different components can be made ahead and assembled shortly before serving them.

Several black and white cookies on a round wire rack. View from above.

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A perennial classic

These cookies are round with a unique look. Half the cookie is frosted with vanilla icing, and the other half with chocolate. And often associated with American cuisine, specifically New York.

The cookie itself is soft and cake-like in texture.

Black and white cookies came late into my life, but I'm SO glad they did.

I tried these cookies in New York city many years ago and understood why they have such staunch followers. They are simple, yet have a depth of flavor, a clear case of common ingredients bearing great results.

They make wonderful treats for school lunch boxes. Or to snack on during the day as the hand often finds itself in the cookie jar when you casually go into the kitchen.

Freshness: you can enjoy them as soon as the frosting dries. So the cookies will be at their freshest flavor and texture.
Control of ingredients: home baking allows you to control the quality and quantity of the ingredients used. This is particularly important if you have dietary restrictions or preferences.
Cheaper: buying black and white cookies from a bakery or grocery store can sometimes be expensive, especially if you want a large quantity. Making them at home can be a cost-effective alternative.
Fun project: though they take some time and have several components, these are great cookies to make with kids, as an Easter project, or just because you love baking for your loved ones.

Black & white cookies flavor

The cookie itself is vanilla. And by themselves, they don't say much.

But when frosted, the sum of the parts is more than each component.

The result is the softest vanilla cookie with a mix of glazes that work well independently or together. A bite here, a taste there, they have a vintage flavor.

It ends up being delicious and surprising. A meld of vanilla and chocolate, with each bite a surprise depending on what part of the cookie you're eating.

Round wire rack with glazed black and white cookies.

Ingredient list

All-purpose flour.
Cornstarch: it adds a melt-in-your-mouth quality.
Salt.
Baking powder: make sure it isn't expired.
Unsalted butter.
Milk: whole or reduced in fat.
Eggs: fresh.
White, granulated sugar.
Vanilla extract.
Powdered sugar: also called confectioners or icing sugar.
Cocoa powder: always use unsweetened.
Corn syrup: is used to make the frostings shiny and softer. Runny honey can be substituted.

Quantities are listed in the recipe card towards the end of this post. The Ingredients page has more details and lists the brands we use.

The dough has a softer texture thanks in part to cornstarch. It makes a big difference, adding a melt-in-your-mouth quality that is unbeatable.

It can be made ahead and kept refrigerated for a day or frozen for a month.

Vanilla cookie dough in a metal stand mixer bowl on white marble. Top view.

The icings

These cookies are covered with fondant icing, flavored half with vanilla and the rest with cocoa powder.

What is fondant or powdered sugar icing? It's one of the simplest and yummiest ways of dressing up a simple cookie. Powdered sugar (or icing sugar) is mixed with a liquid to form a paste. For this recipe, we flavor half with vanilla and the rest with cocoa powder.

Vintage Kitchen Tip

My experience is that it's better to glaze the chocolate half first, let it set completely, and then ice the vanilla half. It's the less messy way.

Half glazed vanilla cookies on parchment paper on a streaked white table. A bowl containing chocolate icing.

The dough has a softer texture thanks in part to cornstarch. It makes a big difference, adding a melt-in-your-mouth quality that is unbeatable.

Similar to the way cornstarch alfajores have a melting quality when you eat them.

I tried and tweaked my original vintage recipe; today's remains my favorite. It was tricky, as the cookie can lack in flavor before being glazed.

Glazed black and white cookies on a cooling rack with a bowl of ganache in the white background.

Kitchen notes

Organization: read the recipe first and ensure you have ingredients at the correct temperatures, equipment, and enough workspace. This will make the process so much easier!
Baking time: keep in mind that all ovens and pans are different, even if they look similar. The baking time in my recipes is as accurate as it can be, but it might take you more or less time. You can use a thermometer(like the OXO oven thermometer) to check that your oven is at the right temperature. I recommend you keep track of how your oven works and what tiny details you might need to adjust.
Glaze: my experience is that it's better to glaze the chocolate half first, let it set completely, and then ice the vanilla half. It's the less messy way.
How to store these cookies: keep them in tins or other airtight containers, in single layers separated by parchment paper so the icing doesn't crush. They last for a week.
Freezing the cookie dough: make a flat disc, wrap it well in plastic and then foil, or place it in an airtight sealed bag and freeze for up to a month. Transfer to the fridge the day before you plan to bake them to thaw slowly and remain cold.

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Let me know in the comments below if you made this recipe and loved it and if you had issues so we can troubleshoot together. I love to hear what you think, always. Thanks for being here. It's much appreciated.
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