Best 5 The Original Half Moon Cookies Recipes

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Indulge in the delightful world of Half Moon Cookies, a timeless classic that has captured the hearts of cookie enthusiasts for generations. These delectable treats, also known as Butter Cookies or Wedding Cookies, are characterized by their unique crescent shape and melt-in-your-mouth texture. With a rich history dating back to the 19th century, Half Moon Cookies have become a staple in many households, passed down through generations as a symbol of love, warmth, and togetherness.

Embark on a culinary journey with our comprehensive guide to Half Moon Cookies. Discover the original recipe that has stood the test of time, featuring a perfect balance of butter, sugar, and flour, resulting in a tender and flavorful cookie. Explore variations that add a touch of excitement to the classic recipe, such as adding chopped nuts, dried fruits, or a hint of citrus zest for a burst of freshness.

For those seeking a gluten-free alternative, we present a dedicated gluten-free Half Moon Cookie recipe that delivers the same delightful taste and texture without compromising on quality. And for those with a sweet tooth, indulge in our selection of Half Moon Cookie recipes with a variety of glazes and frostings, transforming these cookies into works of art that are sure to impress your family and friends.

Half Moon Cookies are not just a delicious treat; they hold a special place in our hearts, evoking memories of childhood and family gatherings. With their timeless appeal and endless possibilities for customization, Half Moon Cookies are a true testament to the joy and comfort that baking can bring.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

THE ORIGINAL HEMSTROUGHT BAKERY HALF-MOON COOKIE



The Original Hemstrought Bakery Half-Moon Cookie image

In NYC and elsewhere, they are known as "Black and Whites" or "half-and-half's". President Obama dubbed them "Unity Cookies". In Germany, where they are iced with either the vanilla or chocolate fondant only, they are called "Amerikaners"... Here in Central New York, we call them Half-Moon cookies and they are slightly...

Provided by Kelly Lollman

Categories     Cookies

Time 1h20m

Number Of Ingredients 27

COOKIES
3 3/4 c all purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
2 1/4 c granulated sugar
1 c butter, cubed
3/4 c cocoa powder, sifted
1/4 tsp salt
2 large eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 c milk
FROSTING - CHOCOLATE
3 1/2 oz bittersweet chocolate
3 1/2 oz semi-sweet chocolate
1 Tbsp butter
4 1/3 c confectioner's sugar
2 Tbsp corn syrup
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
1 c boiling water
FROSTING - VANILLA
7 c confectioners' sugar
1 c butter, cubed, room temp
1/2 c vegetable shortening
7 Tbsp milk
1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract
1 pinch salt

Steps:

  • 1. Preheat oven to 350°.
  • 2. Sift together flour, baking powder, and baking soda in a medium bowl and set aside.
  • 3. Put sugar, butter, cocoa and salt in bowl of mixer and beat on medium speed until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and continue to beat. Add half the milk, then half the flour mixture, beating after each addition until smooth; repeat with remaining milk and flour mixture.
  • 4. Spoon or pipe batter onto parchment-lined baking sheets, making 3'' rounds 2'' apart. Bake until cookies are set, about 12 minutes. Allow to cool, then remove from parchment.
  • 5. Frosting - Chocolate: Melt chocolates and butter in the top of a double boiler over simmering water over medium heat. Add confectioners' sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, salt and 6 tbsp. boiling water - mix to a smooth, stiff paste with a rubber spatula. Thin icing with up to 8 tbsp. more boiling water. Icing should fall from a spoon in thick ribbons. Keep warm in a double boiler over low heat.
  • 6. Frosting - Vanilla: Put sugar, butter, shortening, milk, vanilla and salt in a bowl. Beat on low speed to mix, then increase to medium and beat until light and fluffy.
  • 7. Using a metal spatula, spread about 1 tbsp. of warm fudge icing on half of the flat side of each cookie. Spread the other half of each cookie with 1 heaping tbsp. vanilla icing.

THE "ORIGINAL HALF MOON COOKIES"



The

Better than the ones you can get in a bakery just lke the originals in the north end of boston. The key to the recipe is the nutmeg and as weird as it seems the soured milk

Provided by Pumpkie

Categories     Drop Cookies

Time 35m

Yield 10 large cookies

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
2 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 cup sour milk (add 1 tblspn of vinegar to milk)
1 teaspoon vanilla

Steps:

  • Cream together shortening and sugar and then add beaten egg and vanilla.
  • sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg.
  • add alternately mixture of sifted flour ingreidents and the soured milk to the creamed shortening mixture batter should be thick drop by tablespoons (one on top of the other to give it height one unlevel on bottom one level on top) onto cookie trays bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes until lightly brown on bottoms.
  • cool completely and frost one side with pure white frosting and the other with dark chocolate frosting you can make your own or used canned.
  • If the batter comes out soupy or sticky I add additional flour

HALF-MOON COOKIES (HEMSTROUGHT'S BAKERY) RECIPE - (4.3/5)



HALF-MOON COOKIES (HEMSTROUGHT'S BAKERY) Recipe - (4.3/5) image

Provided by jbrockel

Number Of Ingredients 26

OR THE COOKIES:
3 3/4 cups flour
3/4 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
2 1/4 cup sugar
16 tbsp. margarine, cut into pieces
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
1/4 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups milk
FOR THE FUDGE ICING:
3 1/2 oz. bittersweet chocolate
3 1/2 oz. semisweet chocolate
1 tbsp. butter
4 1/3 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
2 tbsp. corn syrup
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Pinch salt
FOR THE BUTTERCREAM ICING:
7 cups confectioners' sugar
16 tbsp. room temperature butter, cut into pieces
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
7 tbsp. milk
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
Pinch salt

Steps:

  • Hello all. Here is the actual recipe for Hemstrought's half-moons. I used to work at Hemstrought's back in the 70s when the store was on Oriskany Circle. It's since been demolished to make way for the highway. Bob Hemstrought was a nice guy, though not sure if he's still around now. He was the head baker. So... here you go! We all know it's worth the effort! Enjoy! FOR THE COOKIES: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Sift together flour, baking powder, and baking soda in a medium bowl and set aside. Put sugar, margarine, cocoa, and salt in bowl of standing mixer and beat on medium speed until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and continue to beat. Add half the milk, then half the flour mixture, beating after each addition until smooth; repeat with remaining milk and flour mixture. Spoon or pipe batter onto parchment-lined baking sheets, making 3-inch rounds 2-inches apart. Bake until cookies are set, about 12 minutes. Allow to cool, then remove from parchment. FOR THE FUDGE ICING: Melt bittersweet and semisweet chocolates and butter in the top of a double boiler over simmering water over medium heat. Add confectioners' sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, salt, and 6 tbsp. boiling water and mix to a smooth, stiff paste with a rubber spatula. Thin icing with up to 8 tbsp. more boiling water. Icing should fall from a spoon in thick ribbons. Keep icing warm in a double boiler over low heat. FOR THE BUTTERCREAM ICING: Put sugar, butter, shortening, milk, vanilla, and salt in the bowl of a standing mixer. Beat on low speed to mix, then increase to medium and beat until light and fluffy. TO FROST THE COOKIES: Using a metal spatula, spread about 1 tbsp. of warm fudge icing on half of the flat side of each cookie. Spread the other half of each cookie with 1 heaping tbsp. buttercream icing.

HALF MOON COOKIES (WHITE)



Half Moon Cookies (White) image

Growing up, there was a local bakery that made the best half-moon cookies. That bakery isn't in business any more, so now I have to make my own. Half Moon cookies bring back such great childhood memories for me. For frosting, use recipe #188454.

Provided by MsBindy

Categories     Drop Cookies

Time 30m

Yield 30 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/2 cup shortening
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour milk (1 Tbsp white vinegar plus milk to make 1 cup)
3 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla

Steps:

  • Cream butter, shortening and sugars together.You can use all butter, or all shortening if you prefer, but the texture and shape will come out a little different.
  • Mix in eggs and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients together in a separate bowl.
  • Combine in dry ingredients and sour milk, alternating until mixed well.
  • Drop from Tablespoons onto greased cookie sheet (About 1/8 cup is the right size) Your cookie sheet should not be warped, or else your cookies won't come out nice and round. Allow plenty of room for the cookies to spread. Start with 4 cookies to a sheet and then see if you can increase to fitting 6 cookies.
  • Bake at 375 F for 12-15 minutes.
  • Frost the BOTTOM of the cookies. Half with white frosting, half with chocolate frosting with frosting recipe #188454.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 146.6, Fat 5.7, SaturatedFat 2.1, Cholesterol 19, Sodium 143.2, Carbohydrate 21.8, Fiber 0.4, Sugar 10.7, Protein 2.2

HALF-MOON COOKIES



Half-Moon Cookies image

This recipe makes 21 large or 34 small cookies, depending on the amount of dough used. Stir the leftover berry puree (used to tint the icing) into your morning yogurt or oatmeal.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cookie Recipes

Time 3h5m

Yield Makes 21 large or 34 small

Number Of Ingredients 14

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup fresh berries, such as raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk together flours, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, beat butter on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup granulated sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla. Add flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with 2 additions of buttermilk, beating until just combined (do not overmix). Refrigerate dough until firm, about 1 hour.
  • Roll 1- or 1 1/2-tablespoon pieces of dough into balls; place 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake until bottoms turn golden, rotating sheets halfway through, about 10 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks; let cool completely. Cookies can be stored at room temperature up to 1 day.
  • Cook berries and remaining 1 tablespoon granulated sugar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring and crushing berries until soft and juices have been released. Pass mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible, and let cool completely.
  • Whisk together confectioners' sugar, honey, lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl. Transfer half of icing to another bowl, and whisk in 1 teaspoon more water. Divide remaining portion in half again, and stir 1/2 teaspoon berry puree into one part, and cocoa powder and 3/4 teaspoon water into other. Spread white icing on half of each cookieâ??s flat side and fruit or chocolate icing on other half. Let set 30 minutes before serving.

Tips:

  • To achieve the perfect half-moon shape, use a sharp knife to cut the cookies before baking.
  • For a chewier cookie, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking.
  • If you don't have a cookie sheet, you can bake the cookies on a greased baking pan.
  • To prevent the cookies from sticking to the pan, line it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  • Bake the cookies until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set.
  • Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Conclusion:

The original half-moon cookies are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that are perfect for any occasion. With their crispy edges and chewy centers, these cookies are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. So next time you're in the mood for a sweet snack, give this recipe a try.

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