B Is for Black and White Cookie

B is for the New York classic cookie, the black and white.

For the second post in the A to Z Challenge, I'm going with one of my favorite sweets and a New York City icon, the black and white cookie. While I had to stretch for "A", "B" presented great difficulty in topic choice. There was my perennial New York food favorite, the bagel, as well as Breads Bakery, which I've written about several times. But I thought it was time to feature another iconic New York treat. 

I've never thought much about the history of the black and white cookie, but there is a history. When I did a little research I found that the cookie is "commonly traced" to a German bakery, Glaser's, in the Yorkville section of Manhattan in 1902. When I first moved to New York in 1975 the neighborhood still had a number of German restaurants and food stores, though sadly only a few remain. The cookie base is soft and the fondant icing is usually chocolate and vanilla, though I've had black and white cookies with a lemon section, which are equally tasty. The cookie pictured above is from Orwasher's, originally founded in 1916, also in the Yorkville section, but by Hungarian immigrants. Orwashers is one of my favorite food places in Manhattan and we'll be returning for a fuller look at its goodies in our "O" post.      

 

Though the bagel isn't featured, it definitely deserves an honorable mention. 

"B" also stands for Bonus and I'm including a Pink Saturday bonus, a few photographs from my visit this afternoon to Macy's flower show. 

This display called out for a Pink Saturday post. 

If you look at this picture very carefully, it's a selfie reflection. 

Tomorrow is a break from the A to Z posts, but I'll be here with a book post. I hope you'll stop by. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care. 

Black and White Mug Meets Black and White Cookie

Beautiful Black and White Mug

Sometimes the stars align just the right way. I had the pleasure of participating in a Mug Exchange put together by my bloggy buddy, Stephanie, at Enchanting Rose. Sandra sent the prettiest black and white mug, but I wasn't quite sure how to feature it. It's lovely, but I wanted a New York way to show it off, and if possible something for Foodie Friday. Yesterday afternoon I was taking the bus up First Avenue and the stop had been changed one block. I found myself in front of Glaser's Bake Shop.

I found myself transported back to the bakeries of my childhood, and though, I don't generally sample for Foodie Friday, I bought one of my favorite sweets, the classic black and white cookie. I knew I had a match made in Foodie heaven.

Black and White Mug Meet Black and White Cookie -- You're Perfect Together!

 Now it's time to brew a cup of coffee to fill my mug and enjoy the black and white cookie.

Thanks, Sandra, for the great mug and thanks, Stephanie, for once again putting together a fun exchange.

Please stop by tomorrow. We're celebrating the sixth blogaversary of Pink Saturday, and we're having a Pinkaversary! I've been taking pink pictures all week and it's going to be a pretty-in-pink Saturday.

Another pretty day in New York City. I'm hoping it stays sunny for the weekend. I've got some fun plans -- craft fair time and a visit with my friend, Lonni -- and I hope you do, too.     

As always, thanks for visiting and take good care.  

Take Me to Junior's

Junior's was founded when the Dodgers were in Brooklyn and Harry S. Truman was President. It was also the year I was born and I have a definite soft spot for one of the great homes of New York Style Cheesecake. The original Junior's is on Flatbush Avenue in downtown Brooklyn, but I am more apt to stop in for coffee and a black and white cookie at the Grand Central Station location. It's also a top choice when I am with visitors in the Times Square area.

Plain and less plain, and all delicious. 

I am a fan of the fruit topped cheesecake, but I have a hard time choosing between cherry and pineapple. Luckily I see the cheesecake in the back of the case with cherry, blueberry and pineapple topping.  

My beloved black and white cookies, one of the world's truly great desserts. 

I took the pictures here and at Financier on the same day and somehow managed not to order anything. It was a great temptation, but I am determined to do this series of posts without gaining five extra pounds. I've got to be able to wear the same clothes in May as I did in March when I started and it's a challenge. I'm doing okay so far, but there are nineteen more days to go.  

Today is beautiful. It felt like the first day of summer in the middle of April and I loved it. I made an excursion to Greenwich Village for the photos for "L," and it was lovely. 

 As always, thanks for stopping by and visiting. Don't be shy and please leave a comment and let me know what is your favorite cookie. 

Enjoy the weekend!