The Best Homemade Black and White Cookies Recipe with Claire Saffitz | Dessert Person

The Best Homemade Black and White Cookies Recipe with Claire Saffitz | Dessert Person
Join us in the kitchen with Claire Saffitz, as she takes on the iconic Black and White Cookie in this episode of Dessert Person! Originating in New York City (maybe), Black and White Cookies have become a beloved treat across the country. While many bakeries offer their own take on this classic dessert, nothing compares to a homemade Black and White Cookie made from scratch. In this episode, Claire Saffitz shows you how to make the perfect Black and White Cookie, from mixing the batter to icing and decorating. You'll learn about the history of the Black and White Cookie, and why making them at home is the ultimate way to enjoy this delicious treat. Whether you're an experienced baker or just starting out, this recipe is sure to impress. So, roll up your sleeves and let's get baking!
#clairesaffitz #cookies #dessert
Ingredients:
COOKIES
2 cups all-purpose flour (9.5 oz / 270g), plus more for rolling
1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt or 1⁄2 teaspoon Morton kosher salt
1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup granulated sugar (7 oz / 200g)
1 1⁄2 sticks unsalted butter (6 oz / 170g), at room temperature
2 large eggs (3.5 oz / 100g), at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1⁄2 cup buttermilk (4.2 oz / 120g), at room temperature
ICING
3 1⁄2 cups confectioners’ sugar
(13.6 oz / 385g), sifted if lumpy, plus more as needed
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
2 tablespoons whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of kosher salt
2 tablespoons boiling water
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoapowder
What's for Dessert by Claire Saffitz is out now: geni.us/WjcIbfp
Dessert Person Online: www.dessertperson.com/
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Claire Merchandise: www.dessertperson.com/buystuff
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Video Series:
Producer/Director: Vincent Cross
Camera Operator: Calvin Robertson
Editor: Hal McFall
Assistant Editor: Asher Rogers
Theme Song: Michael Guggino
Animation Credits:
Character Designer/Animator: Jack Sherry
Character Rigger: Johara Dutton
Background/Prop Designer: M. Cody Wiley
Background Illustrator: Jagriti Khirwar

[@wafelkai3154]

Really nice of Felix to let Claire be in his video.

[@dianasmith9504]

From what I understand, the black and white cookie was originally a way for a bakery to use leftover cake batter and icings at the end of the day. Customers liked the unusual cookie texture and variable colors, and a tradition was born.

[@ChiNguyen3797]

You sparked my passion for baking 4 years ago. Thanks to you Clair, I’ve changed careers and am now a professional baker ❤

[@LoLLucentGaming]

That is so amazing!!

[@Stunningchase]

I would love a video where your camera people try to make one of your recipes. The chaos would be amazing 😂

[@MarshallKrueger]

Reversal of roles would be fun to watch!!

[@caral8842]

YESSS

[@ecenbt]

omg i support this idea so much!!!!!!

[@lindsayhaugen7660]

Two Claires in one week?!?! ❤❤

[@csabo1725]

Looks like two Claires in one apron

[@subjectimpermanence]

I’m Polish and here you can get those at almost every bakery - I had no idea they were a Jewish pastry! We call them "Amerykanki" (lit. "Americans") and they usually only have the white icing. 😊

[@tess5378]

Same in germany! We call them Americaner :)

[@MiguelGonzalez-vz6qi]

Its the American's wranglers

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

Only white icing? That feels like an entirely different cookie in my mind.

[@fahimrind9714]

only white huh? sounds about right for poland

[@PeachKeki]

@@fahimrind9714 🙄

[@TheSaweddle]

If the video editor reads the comments...I really appreciated the smiley face on the batter falling from the hand mixer, and I appreciate you.

[@ohnonotaisha]

In case anyone is wondering, her shirt is by Big Bud Press and the print is Fungi Fantasy by Bill Ogden. 🍄

[@gasolineguttt]

You're a true hero.

[@jjpp412]

The way I hit thumbs up at only 10 seconds in. Claire, I love seeing you explore classic Jewish baked goods! Thank you for representing (and sharing the recipes for those of us who have left areas with Jewish bakeries)!

[@bradm112]

the little hidden editing extras really add to the video!! like the lil face on the cookie mixture when it falls

[@daisyblooms4813]

Oh no I missed it!

[@annac9534]

My mom worked in Barnes & Noble when I was growing up. I lived in Jersey (not too far from NY), and I remember going with my mom to work, sitting in the cafe, and eating these black and white cookies while reading books. Whenever I see these they bring back nothing but fond memories. I’ll have to give this recipe a try.

[@tonyalongi4409]

Need to revisit that Seinfeld episode. "Look to the cookie!"

[@lisaanderson135]

Since this came out, I’ve made this recipe 3 times. My family loves these so much! I actually have a request for another batch for later today. So delicious and so much fun to make! Thank you for sharing this recipe!!!

[@TheHollywoodCrone]

The Cookie that unites the world! Thanks, Claire! 🫶🏼

[@jessschaper4784]

Growing up in NY I didn't realize how NY centric this is, living in different states now, I really miss a good black and white cookie 😢

[@dawnrichling2773]

I love the way you add vanilla "close enough"

[@got2bjosh]

Shout out to all my New Yorkers who grew up getting black and white cookies from Zaro's Bakery, Zabar's, local diners, etc. around the city.

[@Aura-Of-Syrinx]

Had em upstate too!

[@laurenschenck5355]

Felix is so cute and most sweetest kitty ❤

[@realityreimaginedyt]

As a hispanic i would LOVE to see you make a Pan Dulce recipe!! Whether its Conchas or Regalos, or Campechanas they are so good :)

[@kyleminor]

The way Claire is holding that hand mixer by the very back of the handle is a pretty boss move.

[@karouhogan4267]

Felix is so cute!!

[@f.d.6667]

When I was a kid (70s/80s), those could be found everywhere (Southern Germany)... I still treat myself occasionally when I find a traditional bakery that's making their own. Finally need to learn how to make them I guess! Addendum: I just remembered that our school "cafeteria" would sell these and they weren't too bad either (must have been 1978 or so...).

[@lyricalleslie]

love how the crew has so many questions today and they kept them in the final edit! ha love it!

[@leelahland]

Love your videos Claire, these look so nice! I giggled at the little face on the dropping dough after you finished incorporating the dry/wet ingredients!

[@mariannapuzzles]

1:00 Oh I used to love „Amerikaner“ as a kid in Germany, always makes me happy to see that someone does proper research to find if they have a different name in another country! But we usually only have either chocolate or vanilla icing, never a mix of both. I’m most definitely going to look for them in a bakery tomorrow!

[@fgferraro]

I grew up in northern NJ but my family is all on Long Island, and they are all old school Brooklyn Italian Americans. Whenever my grandparents would come to stay with us, they would always bring an assortment of baked goods in a white box with the red string. Black and whites were my favorite as a kid and I knew there would always be one waiting for me inside! Great memories. Can't wait to make these this weekend.

[@jonnycrandell7328]

We love you Claire!

[@dingleberry11222]

Thank you for talking about ingredient temperatures! So helpful!

[@lovingthelessloved3679]

thank you team claire for always being a safe space on youtube. xox

[@Zentranii]

I used to bake these when i was a child with my mom. i found a recipe for them in a childrens cookbook i got for christmas in the 90s. good memories

[@spencerallegra]

I’ve never been into sweets, like at all, but I want to try all your recipes! They all look so good♥️

[@chambo9212]

These are my favorite cookie of all time. Nothing hits like one of these from an east coast Jewish bagel shop and a cup of coffee.

[@lizzzlouise]

We love a Cal cameo 😅

[@elsafischer3247]

Thank you I had this cookie when I was in NY

[@laurenschenck5355]

Those black and white cookie looks so beautiful and one of my favorites ❤

[@idonwantahandle]

LOVE big bud press!!!

[@Zayphar]

This was a Sunday treat in our house. We would stop at the German bakery on the way home from church and I always got a half-moon cookie(vanilla and chocolate frosting on a chocolate cake). Tradition!

[@AussieAngeS]

Those look wonderful, I’ve never had a black and white cookie before. A cookie that tastes like a cupcake has my vote 😍

[@user-pt6nk1cv4z]

Literally my fave dessert

[@chantalscott7985]

I feel like my request some months ago were answered and my dreams came true: Claire Saffitz makes perfect Black and Whites, an all-time fav childhood cookie! Now in my own kitchen. 🎉Yay.. Love u, Claire!

[@jcthompson7666]

Love, love, love these. I have memories of buying the freshest Black & White Cookies under the stairs at a Grand Central Station’s bakery when I was a commuter. You’re so right, the ubiquitous B&W found in any NYC area deli wrapped in plastic is not as good as fresh baked.

[@kmac8825]

The cookies are great, and so is Claire, but can we take a moment and talk about that kettle! I want one lol

[@StarCrusher.]

Look to the cookie Elaine! I'm glad so many people posting Seinfeld references

[@princessalways4eva]

I love black and white cookies. My son and I used to share, vanilla for me, chocolate for him. Being originally from NY then NJ and living in Florida I sure do miss them. Maybe with your video I’ll attempt. Tfs.🤗

[@andreagamboa4288]

had these when I went to NYC cant wait to try yours!

[@user-hk8zy6bi3c]

Every gift from a friend is a wish for your happiness.

[@snowflaire]

Yes! More Cal!

[@anthonydolio8118]

Yum. Given their size and texture, I think they would make a great after dinner dessert with coffee or tea.

[@Alice1nWond3rland]

I need a Claire x BBP Collab!! Love it!

[@EricThompson1]

Look to the cookie

[@benzo___]

fun fact, these are called 'Amerikaner' (Americans) in Germany

[@welfareprincess]

I love the finished product of that batter/dough it reminds me of those pink grocery store cookies!!!

[@parisXxpedalsXx1]

Made the What’s for Dessert lime squiggles yesterday, they’re beautiful and delicious!

[@laurenschenck5355]

Have a great weekend Claire you deserve it 😊

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

I really like Claire's shirt.

[@nuclearmonster]

I didn’t know these were better fresh! Hope to try one some day

[@vivianramos5700]

Claire, your shirt is amazing!!! Must get!

[@laurenschenck5355]

Those cookies looks delicious and amazing Claire ❤

[@barbiedoo801]

I’ve been wanting to make a Black & White cookie but always thought it would be too hard. You made it look very easy. I’m going to try and make them next week for my friends. They are my Guinea pigs lol They try everything I make. This is my husband and my son’s favorite cookie. They will be very excited. Thank you so much xoxo

[@brianmeehan94]

I have made this cookie from America's test kitchen recipe... now I need to make yours!!!

[@AthanKaiAltair]

If you look at Canadian KZbinr Yolanda Gampp (How to Cake It) she melds the words Cake and Cookie into "Cakies" which describe perfectly these delicious looking treats 😊❤

[@loribeehler1123]

It’s a cakey! Looks delicious and on my soon list!

[@Regluna]

I live in Mexico City and crave this cookies all the time🤩♥️

[@cgwami]

Not that they need my recommendation, but Russ & Daughters is fantastic! Also, a friend of mine made the blue & white cookies from Dessert Person and they are definitely more of a (utterly delicious) cake than a cookie.

[@TreyMcDonaldAnimator]

Let me start by saying I absolute respect this recipe. so much so that I'll definitely take a crack at this... that being said... I don't think anything has captivated my sweet tooth like a Zaro's Bakery Black and White cookie. It to me is about as indulgent as a NYC bagel. Love it so much.

[@robbicu]

This was fun! Nice to see Cal. Love the way the crew trolls Claire and she doesn't get it. haha

[@EatCarbs]

I'd love one of those cookies.. please and thank you.

[@navahija8683]

growing up (german gal here) "Amerikaner" were coated only with white frosting at my favorite bakery, freshly made and just heavenly soft, spongy and sweet. my absolyute favorite kind of baked sweets!

[@lechatbotte.]

Woo hoo it’s Claire day. Best day of the week. Epic fridge shot, no room lol meanwhile my fridge is almost empty

[@SpoonDono]

Claire if I make this recipe I’m adding all the lemon back in 👍

[@utopianfiat]

Claire's hand mixer technique is really interesting. I usually expect to hold it like an iron, full hand grip above. She's holding it lightly from the end, letting it work itself into the ingredients rather than being forced. Fascinating.

[@danbev8542]

My theory is that she has a high counter & lifting her whole arm & shoulder is harder. Hers is probably a good strategy for height challenged people.

[@jilletdelphine]

can you timestamp what you mean? it looks like she’s using it normally to me? idk i’m not seeing it

[@Rea13434O]

@@jilletdelphine maybe 5:40?

[@jilletdelphine]

@@Rea13434O oh! you’re right. i was mostly paying attention to it around 6:30 where she seems to be using it normally

[@jml4774]

Yum!

[@pineconey]

Love the effect at 8:39, Claire!

[@Amber_cooks]

My favorite kind of cookie! I made a vegan version last week and it was incredible. Of course, I still have to check out how the Dessert Queen does it!

[@GasparLewis]

ADVANCED INFORMATION: When you have a standard, middle-of-the-road cookie from a diner or plastic wrapping, it has a textural split as well as a flavor split. The chocolate icing will be soft to the tooth while holding its shape, where the vanilla will have firmed into a hard icing shell that cracks and shatters on biting.

[@got2bjosh]

Exactly. Zaro's Bakery has the best ones.

[@toastmybagel]

Yes!! And I actually love the standard middle of the road ones for what they are, you know? Love the homemade’s and the plastic wrapped ones equally! But a bad stale one really can mess a day up hahah

[@saratakkoush6109]

Look to the cookie Elaine.. look to the cookie.

[@Annikina]

We love Cal..!!!!!!

[@yejikim1494]

I've never had this kind of cookies; it was cakey like you said, not too sweet so I had to control myself^^; It was a shame that I couldn't get round-shaped cookies from the oven, I presume it was because of the fan. So, I had to cut them using a cookie cutter. Still, they were really good. Thank you for giving me a chance to have a Jewish New York style cookie in Melbourne. Lucky me!! Thank you as always!

[@BHBdrummer]

If it loses moisture over time and hardens, it's a cake. If it absorbs moisture over time and softens, it's cookie. At least according to UK tax law, which sets different VAT rates on cakes and cookies.

[@Aura-Of-Syrinx]

Half-Moon cookies are sooooo goooooooood! \o/

[@lisaanderson135]

I’m afraid to make these because I love them so much! I probably will eat the whole batch, lol! It doesn’t help that I just made Claire’s croissant recipe 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@crystallinecrisis3901]

I made her blondies last week for work and only got to take one home (bc I ate 2 at work)

[@lisaanderson135]

@@crystallinecrisis3901 I see that we’re suffering from the same addiction! The symptoms are… an overpowering lack of self control and the crippling inability to stop after eating one 🤣

[@Looptydude]

As a guy who loads up KZbin and sees a new hoonigan video and a Claire video I click Claire first 😂

[@jessicataylor3180]

Getting happy The Marvelous Mrs Maisel vibes from these delicious cookies, not that Midge could bake them, but she sure loves sharing them. Thanks for another excellent recipe Claire! x🎙️📺 ❤️.

[@MC-dk7tr]

I was thinking the same when I saw this! Episode 6 is up if you haven’t watched it yet!

[@pushingdaisies954]

I wanted to try this from the moment I saw it in Seinfeld years and years ago! Unfortunately I'm from Europe, so definitely gonna try this (in vegan version)

[@jaminwaite3867]

I think Gretchen’s Vegan Bakery has a recipe on her yt channel/website

[@vr4787]

Look to the cookie Elaine!

[@Iconology]

I’d love to see a rainbow cookie recipe (the yellow, green and red ones)! Only problem with these videos is now I really want cookies.

[@wildador]

Hahah I just commented on the last video for this recipe!

[@CSaffitz]

Thanks for commenting!

[@rocbolt]

“Look to the the cookie!”

[@RelaxAndSmokeMeth]

oh the nostalgia

[@Killerkey1863]

If Claire's cat's are in the episodes more like the opening of this video, I'll absolutely click the bell and turn on notifications for Claire's channel. 😂 Hint Hint.

[@1samsmith2]

Thank you for the video and recipe. It works! Let me ask you, instead of rolling the refrigerated portions into balls what do you think about refrigerating the whole bowl of dough and using a PAM sprayed scooper to drop portions on the parchment lined sheet, then flatten with dusted fingertips?

[@terezgiuliana9319]

I love the vanilla side so I ice the whole cookie in vanilla and then add chocolate on top of half of it.

[@TamarLitvot]

I was just thinking I’d prefer an all chocolate iced one!

[@szdxfgcvbhijkolfgchujiop]

would love to see a basque cheesecake! xuixo! beignet!

[@carinen8119]

Gorgeous

[@snoojalqouba3305]

never clicked on a notification so fast in my life

[@Karen1024]

Cute shirt, Claire!

[@lovetolose]

*Gasp.* She actually showed the brand name of the butter this time.😮

[@AM-gx2sz]

I once read that the German name “Amerikaner“ derives from the chemical leavener that was used in the recipe back in the day! It’s called Hirschhornsalz in German (salt of hartshorn - or literally “deer antler salt“ because it was extracted from animals‘ horns and other nitrogen-rich parts). It’s mainly ammonium hydrogen carbonate and ammonium carbonate. The German words for these chemical compounds are exactly the same, you just pronounce them a little differently, and it is believed that they were too complicated for people to say so they just shortened it to a word that sounds similar - Amerikaner!!

[@TamarLitvot]

These cannot be the same cookie. That ingredient would *never* be in Jewish cookie, not only because milk and meat, I.e., butter mixed with something from an animal, but also because anything that comes from an animal has to be from a kosher type of animal and one who is slaughtered in a particular way. So I would bet Eastern European Jews changed the recipe to one that fit the culture. Would be fascinating to eat one cookie from each heritage and compare.

[@AM-gx2sz]

@@TamarLitvot very interesting point!! I never thought about that! thank you for adding :) maybe it was a recipe popular with Jewish people who didn’t follow the kashrut rules? The cookies also aren’t connected with Jewish heritage in Germany I believe(I wasn’t aware of it either before watching the video), personally I consider them an easy German staple dessert for events like children’s birthday parties. Nowadays you usually don’t prepare them with salt of hartshorn anymore anyway, just regular baking powder. Would be interesting to know if it was once a specifically Jewish recipe and its history was erased or simply a recipe from Middle Europe beloved by Jewish and non-Jewish people alike and then made popular in the US by Jewish immigrants!

[@milu9099]

@@TamarLitvot It's not made from animals anymore, hasn't been for a very long time. The name is more than a hundred years old and probably kept because its sounds better than NH₄HCO₃

[@TamarLitvot]

@@milu9099 oh, I know that. My point was that if these were originally German cookies, it’s likely that Jews changed the recipe to fit with dietary restrictions so the German (or other non-Jewish Eastern European) cookies and the Jewish version may be related but have developed into slightly different cookies over time

[@TamarLitvot]

@@AM-gx2sz a lot of Ashkenazi Jewish foods are adaptations of various German and Eastern European foods. My bet is the cookies were originally not Jewish but the most common version in the U.S. now is what people like my grandparents and great grandparents created in Europe based on the local cuisine and adapted to fit Jewish dietary requirements. Food is so often a melding of cultures.

[@baskkev7459]

In the Netherlands we also have a version of this. I think I would not say a cookie or cake. But more a thing that falls in with chocolate bread

[@AsuCaga16]

The half-moons from Utica are similar, but different style icings which IMO are a big improvement! Would highly recommend people try the variation if you're going to go all out making these.

[@lizeebath]

Hemstrought's! My Aunt and Uncle would always have them ready for our visits to their home in Utica or bring a box with them when visiting us. 😊