Imagine stepping into a cozy bakery, the sweet scent of vanilla and chocolate swirling around you. You spy a beautiful black and white cookie that seems to call your name. Now, thanks to some innovative techniques and a few cutting-edge ingredients, you can recreate this classic treat at home with a delightful twist—a zesty citrus glaze that adds a refreshing spark!
### Ingredients
**For the Cookies:**
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 3/4 cup granulated sugar
– 1 large egg
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
– 1/2 cup buttermilk
**For the Chocolate Icing:**
– 1 cup powdered sugar
– 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
– 3 tablespoons water
– 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
**For the Vanilla Icing:**
– 1 cup powdered sugar
– 2 tablespoons milk
– 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
– Zest of 1 orange (for a citrus twist)
### Instructions
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring easy cleanup and a perfect bake.
In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This will help to aerate the flour and ensure an even rise. Set aside.
In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream your softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter mixture, mixing until well combined. It’s essential to scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally to incorporate all the ingredients.
Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet mixture, alternating with the buttermilk, starting and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined; overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Flatten each mound slightly with the back of a spoon to achieve that iconic cookie shape.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
While the cookies are cooling, prepare the chocolate icing. In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, water, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth and glossy. If the icing is too thick, add a little more water until you reach the desired consistency.
For the vanilla icing, combine the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and orange zest in another bowl. Mix until smooth. This citrus addition will brighten up the flavors!
Once the cookies are completely cooled, take each cookie and dip half into the chocolate icing and the other half into the vanilla icing. Allow the excess icing to drip off, then place the cookies back on the wire rack to set.
For a finishing touch, you can sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on the chocolate side for contrast or add a few sprinkles on the vanilla side for a touch of fun!
Let the icings set for about 30 minutes before enjoying your modern black and white cookies. These sweet treats are perfect for sharing at gatherings or indulging in a quiet moment with a cup of tea.
Dive into this delightful experience and let each bite take you back to that cozy bakery!