This video is unavailable because we were unable to load a message from our sponsors.

If you are using ad-blocking software, please disable it and reload the page.

Rach first met twin sisters Aria and Maya Christian last season after they turned their passion for baking into a bona fide business during the pandemic. (Last time the twins were on the show, they made these amazing Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies with Sea Salt.)  

Since then, "Twins that Cook" has really taken off. The Christians work out of a test kitchen in Brooklyn, NY, and ship their baked goods all over the U.S. Cookies are their specialty, and this is their absolutely delish take on the black and white cookie, a cake-like cookie topped with half chocolate, half vanilla icing. Fun fact: It's apparently the most popular dessert in New York state!  

Here, they dressed up the black icing with edible gold leaf as a nod to the sparkly skyline and lights of New York City—but that is totally optional. 

Pro Tip from Aria and Maya: To get a straight, clean line between the two icings, cover half of the cookie with parchment paper before applying the first icing. Also, we like to use Madagascar vanilla extract.  

Ingredients

For the Cookies:
  • 1 ¾ cups AP flour, plus 1 tablespoon, if needed
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon lemon extract
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 1 cup milk or milk substitute
For the Black Icing:
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder
  • ½ cup whole milk or milk substitute
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Edible 24 karat gold leaf (optional)
For the White Icing:
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • ½ cup whole milk or milk substitute
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Flaky sea salt

Yield

Serves: 8 to 10

Preparation

For the cookies, preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 

Mix the 1 ¾ cups flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl, then set aside. 

Using an electric mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and lemon extracts and mix. 

Add the egg and cream together. Gradually add some of the flour mixture and lightly mix before gradually adding the sour cream. Add more flour and repeat. It is okay if a few white streaks are visible at this point. Mix until a semi-wet dough forms. If it's TOO wet, add the 1 tablespoon of flour. On the final mix, you don't want any white streaks. 

Form into 8 to 10 balls using a scooper or your hands, place on the prepared baking sheet and bake until still pale with a light brown edge, 12 to 14 minutes. Let rest until completely cool. (You can hurry this process by placing the cookies in the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes.) 

For the black icing, mix together the confectioners' sugar and cocoa powder in a medium bowl. Stream in the milk while mixing until the icing thickens to your liking. For this cookie, the thicker, the better. Mix in the vanilla extract. 

For the white icing, mix together the confectioners' sugar and milk in a medium bowl. Mix in the vanilla and mix until you get a thick consistency. 

Flip the cooled cookies over, then ice half of each cookie with black icing and half with white. Decorate the black side with small pieces of gold leaf (if using) and sprinkle sea salt on the white side.