How Black And White Cookies Are Made In NYC | Regional Eats

If you grew up in New York, chances are you’ve seen these black-and-white cookies at grocery stores and delis all over the city. Topped with dark chocolate icing on one half and vanilla icing on the other half, the black and white cookie is New York’s answer to the Oreo and can vary amongst communities. Smack dab in the city, the cookie is known to be made flat on a denser cake with fondant icing. Meanwhile in upstate New York and Boston, the cookie is more dome-shaped and is made with a fluffier cake that’s topped with a buttercream frosting. We visit Zaro’s Bakery, a company that ships its cookies nationwide, to get a behind-the-scenes look at the making process of the NYC style of the famous East Coast cookie.
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How Black And White Cookies Are Made In NYC | Regional Eats

[@anniekinsmishkamouse7575]

I love how passionate he is about just one cookie. I am sure that same energy is a part of all he gives to the bakery.

[@dagfinissocool]

Please.. He's a yuppie rich kid with a big office it's probably his first time on the floor.

[@audreybel6805]

@@dagfinissocool you sound very jealous.

[@dagfinissocool]

@@audreybel6805 Try realistic.

[@thegreatwal1224]

@@dagfinissocool I’m surprised no one else got this vibe. He’s wearing an Apple Watch and acting like mixing sugar and water is fine science lmao

[@epicxx212]

Y'all, whether it's just for show or not (which i think isn't, because he may not be working there manually everyday, as CEO he was knowledgeable up to the smallest details) we don't need negativity nowadays, k?

[@juicyneli89]

Wow that guy was nice and didn’t hold back any information he truly was just happy to be talking about his grandfather’s legacy.

[@kennethh5657]

Definitely one of the nicest host of a bakery. 👍

[@novikim350]

Yeahhhhh.. i wish he didn't wear mask

[@lyricc2702]

@@novikim350 wym you wish he didn’t where a amask

[@ye23.]

@@lyricc2702 she thinks hes fine. She wanna see that face lol

[@WillBlindYouWithLight]

For all y'all wondering: YES you SHOULD use sour cream in your chocolate cakes! You can't taste it but it makes it perfectly moist, and tender. It's amazing.

[@preppygirlz4329]

I put sour cream and n blueberry muffins it’s really good

[@crisptomato9495]

Mayonnaise is also a good substitute!

[@pvtparts90]

@@crisptomato9495 I've seen this in a lot of recipes and I just can't get past it. Some of the end products looks friggin amazing but the thought of dumping a jar of mayo into a any sort of dessert mixture makes me gag lol

[@dixienormous6969]

But do you know how much sour cream you should put in for a recipe of chocolate cake or no? I've never done that before whenever I bake but I think I'll start doing it now 🗿

[@6ded502]

@@pvtparts90 try using coffee, imo it’s better than mayonnaise in chocolate cake

[@yz4043]

"Is that appropriate to say on television?" No, but this is the internet.

[@justtheletterV274]

What?

[@ech_severs]

@@justtheletterV274 5:46

[@harukrentz435]

Yeah but who doesnt want to bath in chocolate fondant? 😂

[@novikim350]

@@harukrentz435 ants? coz when they do, they die.

[@justtheletterV274]

@@ech_severs oh

[@tosht2515]

Love that Medha wore black and white for this episode and pretty sure that guy was actually Paul Rudd. Yup.

[@FinancialShinanigan]

Japanese artisans: She needs at least 10 years to master the spread of icing.

[@kaijinsama8696]

Man im about to spit it out too 🤣🤣

[@everythingsalright1121]

I want to say its an exaggeration but my asian heritage prevents me xD

[@ye23.]

Im so impressed with how perfectly the japanese and koreans make their cakes/pastries. I watch their cooking videos on youtube and they’re true perfectionists

[@californianking5662]

*a lifetime

[@pvtparts90]

The first 5 years she's only allowed to add the water to the mixer

[@steveyobs551]

My grandma came from Italy to upstate NY, we always called them half moon cookies. She always completely covered them in white icing then covered one half in chocolate. The icing was never sticky but dry to the touch like described in the video.

[@brady9499]

yeah idk if it’s a upstate thing but i call them half moon

[@0uzen400]

I love that guys energy, you can tell he's really passionate about his job

[@BS-qg4ep]

I'd be Hella passionate too if I was worth 7 figures and my family owned the business

[@hawtsourcandy]

@@BS-qg4ep true ofc

[@ryanhoffmann9341]

Put it in the fridge so the icing gets hard, break it in half, eat the chocolate half first then eat the vanilla side. Little Southern East Coast secret, Publix bakery has mini black and white cookies that will rival anything from the Northeast. I can say that because I spent my summers on Long Island growing up and consider myself a black and white cookie connoisseur.

[@kcwicks]

Hey, thank you for that fridge idea! That sounds great! I also seek the perfect half moon cookie. If you are ever in syracuse ny, you MUST try the half moons at Green Hills bakery on Salina st.

[@what2730]

yesss i love this publix ones

[@insertcreativenamehere7571]

Im with you on everything except eating the chocolate half first. It needs to be best for last, so chocolate is always second for me!!

[@billybob8257]

I haven’t noticed any at my local Publix

[@animeherogamerfan969]

I eat both

[@xERICxBLAUx]

The white isn’t vanilla though it’s literally just white frosting 😂

[@gaoliag-7742]

which is flavoured with vanilla…

[@xERICxBLAUx]

@@gaoliag-7742 did you listen to him describe how the fondant is made at all? the white is icing sugar mixed with water, the chocolate is the white with cocoa powder mixed in. please tell me where the word vanilla appears in there, outside colloquially calling any white icing vanilla? I've also been eating half moons my entire life, there is not a single note of vanilla taste in them

[@daretodreamoutloud2124]

It’s a vanilla cookie

[@xERICxBLAUx]

@@daretodreamoutloud2124 i said nothing about the cookie itself, i'm strictly talking about the icing

[@xERICxBLAUx]

@Eve put up your dukes

[@nikosp3156]

4:00 Haha pretty bold standing behind your boss and playing with your cellphone! 😂

[@TexasRibeye817]

Look to the cookie Elaine, look to the cookie.

[@SwtTeaLdy]

I directly came to the comments looking for this. Thank you for not disappointing.

[@boogitybear2283]

“You’re as pretty as them, just need a Nose Job”-Cosmo Kramer

[@renecruz2964]

was searching for this comment

[@theoutlaw2099]

I'm literally about to go work out, and of course this pops up before.

[@cheechee6473]

Just work out omfg stop being such a snowflake

[@mekong9629]

@@cheechee6473 but being a a little snowflake boi is fun 😁

[@cheechee6473]

@Kanki K uh yeah!

[@cheechee6473]

@@mekong9629 lmao so a YT video controlling ur decisions is fun?? Bahahaha

[@user-tn2en7fn1w]

Stay hard brother

[@esczaman1299]

The two colours and flavours that sing “A Match Made in Heaven”.

[@eggycooks6124]

ⁱᵐ ˢᵘᵇⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵉᵛᵉʳʸᵒⁿᵉ ʷʰᵒ ˡⁱᵏᵉˢ ᵗʰⁱˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵐᵉⁿᵗ ˢᵘᵇˢ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ

[@thea8646]

Medha's an absolutely delightful host! and Michael was great too! loved the video

[@MC4K]

i grew up in new jersey and never realized this was a regional thing, they were everywhere.

[@FailedFlea93]

I live in the southeast and have seen these cookies down here.

[@spicymango9983]

Florida has them. Idk about the west coast tho.

[@jonahs92]

I'm a Jewish Texan and I didn't realize these were something that everyone ate, or that they were from New York. I thought they were just a Jewish thing! 😂

[@NineteenEightyFive]

Same living in NY! Didn't realize it was regional til just now, although it is very much an east coast diner/bagel place/bakery type of cookie.

[@IamGiamma]

I like her. She's funny, also clumsy but genuine and professional.

[@victoriahesstori]

Why does it bother me so much that the “vanilla” doesn’t have vanilla in it

[@Mason_Malakai_Leroux]

Yeah it's not vanilla unless it has vanilla

[@jaredf6205]

They add vanilla to the cake.

[@Mason_Malakai_Leroux]

@@jaredf6205 they called the frosting vanilla

[@carmengomez3748]

Same. They say "vanilla frosting" several times, so when they say the recipe of the frosting is sugar+water, I was like... Whaaaat 😕🤔

[@Paelorian]

Perhaps they do that so it will be perfectly white, but I agree that I'd rather it be cream-colored and have vanilla in it. Cost shouldn't be an issue, since even imitation vanilla (vanillin) is better than nothing and extremely inexpensive

[@MR-su7de]

Growing up in Williamsburg, Brooklyn these were my favorite treat. Freshly baked. Fortunate to grow up exposed to different cultures and food.

[@DeeOne88]

I love these cookies and alway's thought the cookie was made with lemon or lemon zest because that's the first thing I taste when I eat them.

[@beetee801]

Same

[@SpoonDono]

It is lemon zest you’re tasting In the cookie part, not the icing part Don’t think Zaro’s adds it…

[@natyssssss]

Its probably from the sour cream that makes it kinda zingy

[@amazingbomi1430]

"LOOK TO THE COOKIE ELAINE!" -Jerry Seinfeld 😂

[@kawaiiladki]

"If people would only look to the cookie, all our problems would be solved"

[@Missray2911]

Lmfao I thought I was the only person that thought of Seinfeld with this cookie

[@TristanDumantay]

"1 black and white. Peace"

[@RMBII91]

When he and the guy in the store cookie toast each other haha *cue the Seinfeld theme*

[@Rheisler1475]

the black and white? not getting along?

[@LifeExotics]

The corn syrup grandpa certainly didn’t use back in Poland

[@classified773]

He probably used regular sugar or if they’re crafty, homemade fructose

[@foodielah535]

That’s really interesting texture. Wanna try them 😍

[@elizabethaugustine2199]

I grew up in N.Y. and moved to the Midwest. This cookie brings back the sweetest memories of my grandma who lived in Queens and bought this cookies from the bakery down the street from her, these cookies were always packed in a pink cake box tied with twine. ❤

[@yousefalsalihi4021]

Yumi that looks delicious 😋

[@giovannadedomenicis2149]

Fabulousness! They ate my favorite! The first time I had one was in NYC!

[@Passionforfoodrecipes]

Things aren't always so black and white.. But sometimes they are! 😋

[@Mason_Malakai_Leroux]

Are you that guy that comments cooking puns?

[@Passionforfoodrecipes]

@@Mason_Malakai_Leroux Mayyyyyybeeee

[@bada5539]

Make an adultswim reel

[@mikesbooms4]

That cookie looks so delicious I wish I could have one right now

[@AudreyBTR]

Michael is one of the most substantive informant in this channel!

[@iminco9844]

This is incredibly wholesome.

[@bexyPTX]

I love these so much

[@maricarlareyes1468]

Its so good to watch everytime that they include old videos of series in the past. :) i remember that features the Donut shop that shown in ironman.

[@ashviniswamy8630]

Medha is so cutely and hilariously helpless!

[@luckyDancer100]

These were sold at my grocery store until recently. I had no idea they were so beloved.

[@MiniM69]

This is where it came from. That’s why it translates to the American

[@cookiesworld2801]

What a great video!

[@neoandroid8586]

The guy is awesome, his passion is infectious

[@WeberEnthusiast]

Absolutely brilliant , thanks for sharing 👌👌

[@greenmachine5600]

Agreed

[@lrbm2006]

Been living in Texas practically all my life, have visited New York and have never heard of these cookies, but now I want to try them.

[@PumpkinMozie]

I love these cookies!

[@jenniferbates2811]

I live in Rhode Island and I grew up with these cookies!

[@jessfoodiaries]

the fondant pulling is very satisfying to watch

[@alexisbk9576]

Would love to see a video on real Italian Rainbow Cookies!

[@Mooodyyhhh]

I loveeeeee this cookie

[@VesaJay]

Had it twice it's the best thing that they do....so good!!

[@jazzywazz6780]

I LOVE THESE COOKIES

[@ernestojr.acosta972]

I just had to click on this. Black and White cookies were a part of my childhood growing up in Queens New York.

[@arpitsharma8426]

One day for sure I'll be there and eat every single edible thing in NEW YORK CITY..All thanks to Food Insider

[@NutsInYourMouth]

@Armpit Shawarma that must be a looong long day for your toilet, at least.

[@arpitsharma8426]

@@NutsInYourMouth kind of.... But you know what it's totally worth it..

[@linsick4862]

I ll soon live my whole life in NYC , and eat everything shown here lol , work , thrive & probably pass away in NYC too. Amen .

[@MrEdium]

🤗🤗THIS IS AMAZING🤗THANK YOU🤗🤗

[@Pesto_O]

this was such a wholesome episode(?) good rapport

[@strawberryrnilk]

the guy is such a sweetheart

[@miamimi1956]

The sounds so nice and very good with customer.

[@genetlair5999]

I wasn’t too sold on it until I saw how big and soft it looks in the video!!

[@lerepaskitchenvlogs]

Nice 💖💖💖💖video❤️loved it❤️❤️❤️keep sharing stay safe...!!

[@brynnwalker3865]

No one will resist delicious food

[@timh6792]

fun fact: In germany this is called "white American" or "black American", it's unknown why that is so, there's a theory tho that it's because of the race of American soldiers in ww2

[@jellytoes6143]

LOL WHAT

[@derbongo3736]

Ich wollte gerade das selbe schreiben 🤣 ich liebe die Dinger seitdem ich denken kann!

[@totallyaccuratebotansimula9493]

you cannot mix the white and black. make sure you draw a distinction line down the middle.

[@NemesisEnforcer7]

Fun fact: I've been eating these for 35+ years and never heard anyone call them black or white American. Must be a regional thing. If that's the case my theory on why they call it that is because the sugar or lemon glaze is white and the chocolate is dark, duh. We say Amerikaner with Zucker- (sugar), Zitronen- (lemon), or Schoko- (chocolate) glasur (glaze, icing).

[@jellytoes6143]

@@totallyaccuratebotansimula9493 wdymm? the icing

[@vexillumvixen6054]

Ah yes! A Upstate NY classic!

[@donnapollock]

I love these cookies

[@waffazein9318]

mouth watering

[@viktorvictorian4206]

My hometown in upstate New York sells a black and white doughnut. Absolutely delectable. 10/10 recommended

[@Ajimo]

yum!

[@eggycooks6124]

Iᵐ ˢᵘᵇⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵉᵛᵉʳʸᵒⁿᵉ ʷʰᵒ ˡⁱᵏᵉˢ ᵗʰⁱˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵐᵉⁿᵗ ˢᵘᵇˢ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ

[@nh4ci295]

We call this "Amerykanka" In Poland. I didn't know i was actually Polish

[@tthappyrock368]

Now I want to go to Zaro's Bakery and get some of these!

[@Handle873]

God I love these cookies Earned a sub

[@arfriedman4577]

I miss eating these from Brooklyn NY. I have to get some.

[@jaceeq9235]

I haven't seen them here in Poland but i would love to try it

[@bahnspotterEU]

You don't need to travel to the US to get one, just hop over the border to Germany. Many bakeries have them and they are called "Amerikaner" ("American"). Very good and not very expensive either.

[@jaceeq9235]

@@bahnspotterEU yeah I live in the west of Poland, going across the country just for a cookie is not worth it saddly 😕

[@Missssay]

Biedronka should sell it, tho 😄. Btw, I’m an Indonesian who used to study in Warsaw for 2 years.

[@jaceeq9235]

@@Missssay that would be amazing

[@thedodafamily]

I grew up in MA and I remember having these cookies at every single party we had.

[@WillBlindYouWithLight]

Are they tasty? What's that like?

[@thedodafamily]

@@WillBlindYouWithLight I love the cookie but I’m not a fan of the frosting

[@dappiedocious]

An Amerikaner over here in Germany! One of my faves. The black and white ones are also common now, but these are an ooooold pastry here. I just saw some in the nearby Bäckerei and a supermarket not too long ago. 😅

[@woopy7689]

i eat them in germany in 1975 ... america, and i love them to this day ...

[@georginapallis5823]

Yummmm.....take them to the beach in Point Pleasant NJ ...

[@Vwill26]

Love the auto-caption error at 0:24 lol 😂😂

[@maryasmr2300]

Amazing😄😄😄

[@syazwanaharun359]

what a nice man!

[@jarrodyuki7081]

wow.

[@christophermccarthy3361]

LOOK TO THE COOKIE!!

[@DexterHeisenbergBruh]

“Look to the cookie Elaine.”

[@NYMetsNo1]

Zaro's fresh baked products that they show in their displays are incredible. Their pre-packaged products by the time they're sold go bad really fast.

[@modest_mind2526]

She's adorable.

[@Altmnop]

Wholesome and surprising amount of information. Good work team 🤓

[@nonamesleft4475]

Ranboo cookies. I shall buy

[@Poonamsmartkitchen]

Good

[@SaadNabil]

Nice.

[@annamayeee]

I want to apply even as a cameraman 😂😍

[@robertkerr9527]

I grew up 30 minutes drive from Manhattan. All the local bakeries in my town made these and they only cost a dollar. They were a full meal 😋

[@Extrassss]

I really want to be a food journalist like her❤

[@fictionqueenx3]

this get an automatic like before watching the video 😍😍

[@thatprettygreencolor]

my fave cookie

[@jarrodbarkley9061]

Look to the cookie!

[@NYCfrankie]

Native New Yorker from Bensonhurst Brooklyn born and raised every Italian bakery has the quintessential Italian pastries but they all have black whites also my son loved these when he was little fuggedaboutit with the cannolis when he was 5 he only wanted black and whites

[@JazzedJuniper]

As someone who’s lived in NY (southern tier/finger lakes) I never knew these half moons were an east coast thing. Now I live in Washington state and am realizing (yeah I don’t have that options really here) and now, even though I didn’t order them much before, I really want a half moon cookie.

[@vubui2788]

Look to the cookie, Elaine! Look to the cookie!

[@Jo3W3st]

When I was young, actually my first job was at a commercial bakery. I made these everyday for about a year.

[@CBrown-zu6jf]

Just had a mini one while watching this. I'd love if they also did all chocolate and all vanilla. I guess that takes away from the allure.

[@ignaciolopezcajina8551]

Look to the cookie Elaine!!

[@MsLazyllama101]

I've grown up with black and white cookies. My husband is from Maryland and grew up with Burger cookies. They're similar but only have the chocolate icing.

[@KiMoKo9787]

My grandma from Maryland would giggle and say that anytime we had them as a kid (south Florida) lol it makes so much sense now!

[@YappieKitchen]

Have to be honest… I was so eager and excited to try it on my trip to NY but didn’t think it was that special. The bagels and pizza there! Now that was something!

[@sailorarwen6101]

I always thought they were pretty flavorless

[@nataleeisjustchilling2737]

I grew up eating half moon cookies cause I live in central ny, it’s my all time favorite cookie

[@nataleeisjustchilling2737]

But half moon cookies are a little different than black and white cookies

[@philipplouden5892]

I have to say that there are a lot of subpar black and white cookies in NYC, but that Zaro’s has the best. Their cookies are tender and flavorful, and their icing isn’t too sweet. The trick is to get it from their bakery locations in their display case. The large size actually maintains the moisture, but make sure it’s from the bakery case not the pre boxes.

[@yuria7350]

Early and cool!

[@vsboy2577]

I do desire one

[@audrey3073]

Yessssss

[@bloodflower11375]

My favorite cookie 🖤 🤍