Peppermint Black-and-White Cookies

"I didn't grow up in a baking household. As the Asian immigrant lore goes, our oven (and dishwasher, while we're at it) was, indeed, used primarily for storage. That isn't to say that we didn't love baked goods. One of my favorites growing up was the classic black-and-white cookie found in many New York City bakeries and Jewish delis. It was a real treat to pick one up after a museum or gallery trip with my mom."

"An offset spatula might feel like an overly cheffy restaurant utensil, but its function is multifaceted at home. I use it to smooth out anything that needs leveling (like the glaze on these cookies), as a gentle fork-lift for prying things off a baking sheet, or even to help scrape out the last of the mayo in the jar. BAKER'S NOTE: For the smoothest, shiniest application, a thick glaze works best-loose enough to spread, but stiff enough to "stand" on its own."

Some Asian immigrant households use the oven and dishwasher primarily for storage, despite a fondness for baked goods. The classic New York black-and-white cookie—soft, cakey, half vanilla and half chocolate—serves as an influential childhood treat, often purchased at bakeries or Jewish delis after museum visits. A smaller, chubby chocolate chip–sized riff on the extra-large New York black-and-white cookie incorporates peppermint extract and crushed candy canes for a festive twist. An offset spatula is useful at home for smoothing glazes, lifting baked goods, and scraping jars. A thick glaze that is loose enough to spread but stiff enough to stand yields the smoothest, shiniest finish; glaze the white side first to set before the chocolate.

Read at Epicurious