Recently, I came across a NYT recipe for "Half Moon Cookies". Made the recipe four times, held in-town and out-of-town taste tests, but wasn't satisfied in my heart. Here's why: The Half Moons I remember were devil's food, and this recipe did not call for chocolate.
On my personal social media, I asked for names of these cookies. If you grew up in New York State - anywhere in New York - you had a name... Half Moons or Black and Whites. I found it interesting that the fuzzy dividing line for the names (and the cookie differences) was the Catskill Mountains. North of the Catskills, these are Half Moons. Chocolate/cakey cookie base, topped with the identifiable "half moon" icing. Catskills south: Black and Whites. A vanilla snappy cookie, with the same icing design, but made with fondant.
More research led me to Hemstrought's Bakery in Utica, NY. THIS is the recipe I was seeking! THESE cookies passed every test, checked every box and made my heart happy.
One order is one dozen cookies. Feeds two. (Kidding). One test taster suggested that splitting the cookie in half MIGHT make it last longer. Yeah. No. Another tester remarked that these cookies are "Grown up Hostess cupcakes". However you describe them, they bring a smile to your face and a comfort to your belly.
NOTE: If you prefer, you may order “Bianca Mezza Luna” cookies (white cookie base). Please make sure to TEXT, CALL or EMAIL your preference.
NOTE: Love, Marianne cookies cannot be shipped (yet). They are available for pick up or delivery. And, according to our test tasters, are best when refrigerated.
Recently, I came across a NYT recipe for "Half Moon Cookies". Made the recipe four times, held in-town and out-of-town taste tests, but wasn't satisfied in my heart. Here's why: The Half Moons I remember were devil's food, and this recipe did not call for chocolate.
On my personal social media, I asked for names of these cookies. If you grew up in New York State - anywhere in New York - you had a name... Half Moons or Black and Whites. I found it interesting that the fuzzy dividing line for the names (and the cookie differences) was the Catskill Mountains. North of the Catskills, these are Half Moons. Chocolate/cakey cookie base, topped with the identifiable "half moon" icing. Catskills south: Black and Whites. A vanilla snappy cookie, with the same icing design, but made with fondant.
More research led me to Hemstrought's Bakery in Utica, NY. THIS is the recipe I was seeking! THESE cookies passed every test, checked every box and made my heart happy.
One order is one dozen cookies. Feeds two. (Kidding). One test taster suggested that splitting the cookie in half MIGHT make it last longer. Yeah. No. Another tester remarked that these cookies are "Grown up Hostess cupcakes". However you describe them, they bring a smile to your face and a comfort to your belly.
NOTE: If you prefer, you may order “Bianca Mezza Luna” cookies (white cookie base). Please make sure to TEXT, CALL or EMAIL your preference.
NOTE: Love, Marianne cookies cannot be shipped (yet). They are available for pick up or delivery. And, according to our test tasters, are best when refrigerated.
Recently, I came across a NYT recipe for "Half Moon Cookies". Made the recipe four times, held in-town and out-of-town taste tests, but wasn't satisfied in my heart. Here's why: The Half Moons I remember were devil's food, and this recipe did not call for chocolate.
On my personal social media, I asked for names of these cookies. If you grew up in New York State - anywhere in New York - you had a name... Half Moons or Black and Whites. I found it interesting that the fuzzy dividing line for the names (and the cookie differences) was the Catskill Mountains. North of the Catskills, these are Half Moons. Chocolate/cakey cookie base, topped with the identifiable "half moon" icing. Catskills south: Black and Whites. A vanilla snappy cookie, with the same icing design, but made with fondant.
More research led me to Hemstrought's Bakery in Utica, NY. THIS is the recipe I was seeking! THESE cookies passed every test, checked every box and made my heart happy.
One order is one dozen cookies. Feeds two. (Kidding). One test taster suggested that splitting the cookie in half MIGHT make it last longer. Yeah. No. Another tester remarked that these cookies are "Grown up Hostess cupcakes". However you describe them, they bring a smile to your face and a comfort to your belly.
NOTE: If you prefer, you may order “Bianca Mezza Luna” cookies (white cookie base). Please make sure to TEXT, CALL or EMAIL your preference.
NOTE: Love, Marianne cookies cannot be shipped (yet). They are available for pick up or delivery. And, according to our test tasters, are best when refrigerated.
