Mezza Luna
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 grey 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 ever noticeable "half moon" icing. Catskills south: Black and Whites. A vanilla snappy cookie, with the same icing design.
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.
Ingredients: Base -King Arthur Gluten-Free flour, unbleached sugar, unsalted butter, cocoa, eggs, baking powder, baking soda, salt, eggs, vanilla. Icing: 10X sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa
One dozen cookies equals one order. 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.
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 grey 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 ever noticeable "half moon" icing. Catskills south: Black and Whites. A vanilla snappy cookie, with the same icing design.
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.
Ingredients: Base -King Arthur Gluten-Free flour, unbleached sugar, unsalted butter, cocoa, eggs, baking powder, baking soda, salt, eggs, vanilla. Icing: 10X sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa
One dozen cookies equals one order. 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.
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 grey 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 ever noticeable "half moon" icing. Catskills south: Black and Whites. A vanilla snappy cookie, with the same icing design.
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.
Ingredients: Base -King Arthur Gluten-Free flour, unbleached sugar, unsalted butter, cocoa, eggs, baking powder, baking soda, salt, eggs, vanilla. Icing: 10X sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa
One dozen cookies equals one order. 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.
If you wanna see how these cookies are made, in a commercial kitchen, check out the link from Hemstrought’s Bakery. 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. How Half Moons are made in Utica, NY