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a stack of black and white frosted half moon cookies.
5 from 21 votes

Half Moon Cookies

This recipe for soft, delicate cake-like Half Moon Cookies topped with half vanilla and half chocolate icing is an iconic New York City treat!
Author Diana
Servings 12 cookies
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chilling Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (240 grams) all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ sticks (170 grams) unsalted butter softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ½ cup full-fat sour cream at room temperature

For the Icing:

  • 1 pound (450 grams) powdered sugar measured and then sifted
  • 3 tablespoons whole milk divided
  • 2 tablespoons corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons cocoa powder

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C, and line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, combine flour with baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  • In a separate bowl, using a hand or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment beat the butter with sugar until smooth and creamy (2-3 minutes).
  • Add the eggs and vanilla, and beat again until well combined.
  • Add the dry ingredients in batches alternating with sour cream, beat until combined scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. The cookie dough will be thick.
  • Using a ¼ cup measuring cup or cookie scoop, drop cookies onto the prepared cookie sheet about 4 inches apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-17 minutes, or until the center of the cookie feels springy to the touch.
  • Allow to cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • To make the icing, in a bowl combine the powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons of milk, corn syrup, vanilla, and salt. Whisk until combined, and add more water if needed until you reach a spreadable consistency.
  • Transfer half of the cookie icing to a separate bowl, and add the cocoa powder plus 1 tablespoon of milk. Whisk and add more milk/water to reach the desired consistency.
  • Using a small offset spatula, ice the FLAT side of the cookie with a thin layer of icing (only half of the cookie), and chill in the fridge for 15 minutes. You want the icing to be set so it does not bleed into the chocolate icing once applied.
  • Ice the other half of each cookie with chocolate icing, and allow it to set completely.

Notes

  • Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Let the eggs, butter, and sour cream sit out at room temperature before making the cookie dough. This helps them all to incorporate smoothly and evenly.
  • Be sure that your baking powder and baking soda are fresh so that they do their jobs perfectly.
  • Allow the cookies to cool completely before icing them. Otherwise, the icing will slide off or melt!
  • The icing should be thick but easily spreadable, similar to Nutella, or just a bit thicker. If needed, add more milk or powdered sugar to adjust the consistency to get it perfect.
  • The flat bottom of these cookies becomes the top once they're iced. It won't work quite as well to try to ice the domed side of the cookies.
  • Use a small offset spatula to spread the icing on black and white cookies. It will allow you more control and help you to get a clean line down the center.
  • Chill the cookies after adding the white icing for about 15 minutes. Then add the chocolate icing. This way the colors won't mix together at all.
  • Enjoy these cookies the same day you bake them, or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 438kcal | Carbohydrates: 75g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 140mg | Potassium: 92mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 57g | Vitamin A: 462IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg