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Fathers’ day is perhaps the one special day when grown men get to celebrate their achievements, and reflect with their family. For many, father's day is the perfect time of year to say "I love you", in the most meaningful way, while still remaining within the boundaries of perceived masculinity. Over the years, what began with a mothers day tradition of giving gifts, crossed over to fathers, because equality wins! Rather than flowers, the modern gift giver is presented with a myriad of masculine electronics and toys, but for the select few, a thoughtful New York tradition can be the best gift of all. 

Unlike other cookies, these spongy bundles of goodness are susceptible to gorging, as they should. At Gimmee Jimmy's Cookies, we've taken this into account, offering them in mini-black and white version as bundles of 12, 18, and 24. Our packaging makes these cookies special too, delivered in a beautiful tin and custom box, these delicious cookies present something for everyone to share at home, or on the golf course.

We've already talked about the history of Black and White cookies here, but did you ever want to know how to make them?

 

Ingredients: 

For cookies

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup well-shaken buttermilk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/3 cup (5 1/3 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg

For icings

• 1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 to 2 tablespoons water
• 1/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder

PREPARATION

1. Make cookies:
   1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
   2. Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Stir together buttermilk and vanilla in a cup.
   3. Beat together butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes, then add egg, beating until combined well. Mix in flour mixture and buttermilk mixture alternately in batches at low speed (scraping down side of bowl occasionally), beginning and ending with flour mixture. Mix until smooth.
   4. Spoon 1/4 cups of batter about 2 inches apart onto a buttered large baking sheet. Bake in middle of oven until tops are puffed and pale golden, and cookies spring back when touched, 15 to 17 minutes. Transfer with a metal spatula to a rack and chill (to cool quickly), about 5 minutes.
2. Make icings while cookies chill:
   1. Stir together confectioners sugar, corn syrup, lemon juice, vanilla, and 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl until smooth. Transfer half of icing to another bowl and stir in cocoa, adding more water, 1/2 teaspoon at a time, to thin to same consistency as white icing.
3. Ice cookies:
   1. Turn cookies flat sides up, then spread white icing over half of each and chocolate over other half.

 

 

So what makes the perfect fathers day gift? Send one this year and see.

Here at Gimmee Jimmy’s Cookies, we bake a variety of delicious fresh cookies and sweet treats in a selection of flavors. From choc chip to oatmeal and raisin, rainbow cookies to traditional black and white cookies, you’ll find all your favorites amongst our great-tasting range. But what about cookie lovers with a taste for something a little less ordinary? If you’re a fan of unusual flavors, you might be looking for something slightly more ‘out there’ than M&M topping. We’ve scoured the web to come up with our top 5 recipes for weird and wonderful cookie ingredients:

1. A Salted Chocolate Masterpiece!

These Chocolate Chip Potato Chip Cookies combine a traditional cookie standard with leftover potato chips, creating a salted chocolate masterpiece which will become a firm favorite in your house. They’re just as easy to make as regular choc chip cookies, so if you’re looking for something just that bit different, why not give them a try?

2. Sweet ‘Meats’ Salty

If you like a salty twist to your sweet cookies but you’re looking for something really unexpected to wow your guests, try this unusual-sounding recipe for Bacon Choc Chip Cookies. With a generous helping of crispy bacon added to the traditional ingredients for choc chip cookies, these taste surprisingly good, and are a great way to use up any leftovers from your weekend breakfast!

3. A Sophisticated Savoury Creation

For a great-tasting savory cookie to enjoy with cheese and wine, or anytime, we’ve found a recipe that sounds simply divine! Spicy Garlic Butter Cookies with Garlic Goat Cheese and Honey is an award-winning combination that we think would make a show-stopping finale for any dinner or drinks party. When you hear the word cookies, many people automatically think of chocolate and other sweet additions, but these just go to show that savory flavors can be just as irresistible.

4. Healthy Double Chocolate Cookies

Looking for a way to ease your guilt when you overindulge in a few too many chocolate cookies? This fabulous recipe for Double Chocolate Avocado Cookies is rich, moist, chocolatey, and healthier than most thanks to a hidden ingredient used instead of butter! Avocados are highly nutritious, containing 20 different vitamins and minerals, and they’re often referred to as a superfood. Once it’s combined with all the other ingredients it’s not noticeable at all. It’s official: you can boost your vitamin intake with cookies!

5. A Taste of the Orient!

We love the delicate color of these pretty Green Tea Cookies, and you could work wonders with shaped cutters and artistic icing. These beautiful Japanese-inspired cookies make a refreshing change from some of the heavy flavors and textures of traditional baked goods, and would make a delicious treat alongside your afternoon tea or coffee. Try adding white chocolate chips to the recipe, or dipping into chocolate for decoration.

Although we at Gimmee Jimmy’s Cookies find it hard to believe there can possibly be any such thing as ‘too many cookies’, apparently it can happen! Most people struggle with the opposite problem, and can’t get enough delicious, buttery, crunchy goodness. However in the unlikely event that you somehow over-order and end up with leftover cookies which are past their best, there are plenty of things you can do with them. Some of the ideas we’ve found for using up stale cookies sound so good it’s worth buying some extras and leaving them to go stale on purpose! Here are a few of our favorites:

1. Cookie Truffles

These irresistible-looking truffles are super easy to make, require only a couple of ingredients and are the perfect simple and fun activity to do with kids. Blogger Hannah, of The Perfect Storm has used Gimmee Jimmy’s Rainbow Cookies to make her truffles – the bright colors work brilliantly with the white chocolate coating and colored sprinkles. You could use any kind of cookie, coating and decoration you like to create these little bites of pure yumminess. They’d make great homemade gifts packaged in a pretty box or jar, perfect for teacher presents, father’s day, valentines or just about any occasion!

2. Quick and Easy Cookie Crumble

Make desserts, ice cream and fruit more exciting with the addition of a crushed cookie topping. Simply crumble your leftover cookies using a food processor or by placing in a plastic bag and bashing them with a rolling pin. Don’t crush them too finely – a few larger pieces here and there are a bonus! Sprinkle the mixture over any dessert of your choice, to turn something plain into a real treat. You could try combining with some nuts, chocolate chips or other optional extras to add interest, depending on the type of cookies you’re using.

               

3. Cheesecake Base

Why use plain old digestives for your cheesecake base, when you can make things so much more interesting? Any type of cookie or biscuit will work for this recipe, and depending on whether you’re buying cookies especially or simply using up leftovers that you already have, you could flavor your cheesecake accordingly. Think lemon cheesecake with a gingernut base, or cherry cheesecake with a chocolate cookie base – delicious! Crush your cookies to a fine mixture, combine with melted butter and press firmly into the base of a tin, then add your chosen cheesecake filling and voila!

4. Milk and Cookies Smoothie

Create a rich, indulgent smoothie for a drink or dessert by adding crushed cookies to the mix. We love this recipe for a peanut butter, banana and cookies smoothie. The cookie crumbs give added texture, and make this smoothie as filling as a whole meal. You could even keep some of the cookies aside for dunking. Use whatever cookies you have to hand, and have fun experimenting with ingredients and flavors.

5. Crockpot Cookie Pudding

Similar in concept to a bread pudding, this inventive recipe for Slowcooker Cookie Pudding layers old, stale cookies with eggs, sugar and milk to create a fabulously warming and hearty pudding which would be wonderful served with custard on a cold winter’s day. As with the other ideas we’ve featured, use any kind of cookies you like. This is one recipe where it’s definitely worth making or buying extra cookies especially!

If you don’t have the time or kitchen prowess to create a new dish from your leftover cookies, did you know it’s also possible to revive stale, hard cookies and make them (almost) as good as new? Place your cookies in an airtight jar or ziplock bag with some sliced apple and leave them overnight. The cookies will absorb the moisture from the fruit, making them soft and delicious again. Alternatively, if you think your family won’t be able to eat all your cookies before they get old, freeze some! They only take a few minutes to defrost in the oven or microwave, and when you eat them warm they taste even better!

If you were a kid any time from the 70's through to today, Sesame Street and the Muppets probably played some part in your childhood. Jim Henson's funny, sometimes cute, and often educational puppets have had an unparalleled run for a children's TV show, and have also had countless spin-offs for audiences of all ages, becoming an iconic part of popular culture. One of the most popular characters who has been around since the very early days of Sesame Street is of course the childlike, furry blue monster with googly eyes we know as the Cookie Monster. With over 40 years of television history behind him, it is not surprising that there are some interesting little known facts about this guy, which we're going to take a look at here:

Cookie Monster Isn't His Real Name

The character who eventually became the Cookie Monster we know and love was first conceived as a character called Wheel Stealer for an unaired commercial Jim Henson was involved with for a snack food company. Wheel Stealer was also used in a training video for IBM, weirdly. He looked slightly different from the 'final form' of Cookie Monster in that he had teeth and was a slightly different color, but his original job, just like CM's, was to have an insatiable hunger.

Cookie Monster appeared in the first season of Sesame Street in 1969 as an undefined character, but his cookie obsessed ways and his name didn't develop until the second season of the show. However, in a 2004 Sesame Street episode, Cookie Monster sang a song that revealed his real name was Sid. This was backed up by a tweet from 'his' account run by Sesame Street, which said Cookie Monster was a nickname that stuck and he didn't remember his real name – but maybe it was Sidney.

He Represents 'Babyishness' Rather Than Gluttony

All of Sesame Street's main characters are supposed to represent a human weakness or foible, exaggerated for comic effect, but Cookie Monster is not designed to represent something as simple as gluttony. In a 1985 edition of Sesame Street Magazine, when talking about parents' concerns about how he talks incorrect grammar, one of the directors of the show said he represents 'babyishness personified' – which is why other characters speak better than him and he has an uncontrollable and selfish drive to eat!

He'll eat anything from machines to car fenders, so it is hard to pick a favorite cookie flavor for him, but we think due to his childlike nature he'd love Gimme Jimmys colorful rainbow cookies best of all.

He's Been Controversial!

Cookie Monster may have the comedic trait of being obsessed with cookies, but some people have seen this as no laughing matter over the years, with some (perhaps slightly killjoy type) people saying his fondness for sugary treats sets a bad example. He has been used in health awareness campaigns and segments of the show that promote healthy eating, but the show never gave in to controversy and kept his character the same, even poking fun on the show about rumors he was going to be changed into the far less funny sounding 'Veggie Monster'.

So there you have it, some little known facts about one of America's most iconic TV characters!

The US presidential election 2016 is a huge source of interest at the moment, both at home and abroad, as people watch the front running candidates vying for votes. Whether you have already got a favorite or not, there is no denying that this year's candidates are a very diverse bunch, with Clinton and Sanders, Trump and Cruz all bringing different views, ideas and personalities to the race. There are lots of different ways people have described their different characters, likening them to everything from fast food to characters from TV's Game of Thrones, but to add a new comparison to the mix, here we're going to take a look at which flavor of Gimmee Jimmys Cookies each of these candidates is most like!

Bernie Sanders – Oatmeal and Raisin

Bernie Sanders is by far the oldest candidate, and so the classic oatmeal and raisin seems to suit him perfectly. He's also a big hit with the highly liberal 'hipster' community, who love all things natural and have a taste for the retro. Oatmeal and raisin is a flavor some people love, and others find to be a bit of a compromise if they were hoping for a more decadent or flashy flavor. It is always a good seller, however, and those who like it find it to be their favorite comfort food.

Hillary Clinton – White Chocolate Chip

While Hillary Clinton has supporters of both genders, and is remembered just as much for being Bill Clinton's loyal wife who stood by him during times of scandal as she is for being arguably the most likely candidate for first female US president, a lot of analysts believe that female swing voters, and whether Hillary can appeal to them, will be the key to her success or failure. Like Hillary and the idea of a woman president, white chocolate is especially popular with women, and white chocolate chip cookies are often the ladies' first choice!

Ted Cruz – M&M and Chocolate Chip

Ted Cruz is the Republican candidate of choice for Republicans who aren't so keen on Donald Trump. Trump is a divisive figure even in his own party, and Cruz represents an alternative. He is also the youngest candidate, and appeals to those who want a statesman who is not considered out of touch with their generation. His cookie flavor is M&M and chocolate chip – an interesting flavor that appeals to young people, but isn't the obvious choice.

Donald Trump – Marble Cookies

Before he entered into politics, Trump was best known as a successful businessman and owner of lavish, glamorous premises. He would be best represented by marble cookies, which resemble the same opulent materials used in the hotels and casinos under his brand. Luxurious, rich, and not really very good for you, marble cookies, for a lot of voters, represent Trump perfectly!

John Kasich - (Unknown)

ssshhhh....The truth is, our writer forgot that John was still in the race...forgive us?

So there you have it – political candidates as cookies! Do you agree with these choices, or is your favorite cookie matched to the wrong candidate?

The sweet-toothed among us will probably say that anything involving the words ‘cake’ or ‘cookie’ is guaranteed to be good, whatever the occasion. From celebrating our greatest achievements to comfort eating in front of a soppy film, we love baked products in all shapes and sizes. If, however, you’re looking for something to meet your needs more specifically, we’ve got plenty of recommendations to make. With that in mind, here’s a light-hearted look at some of our favorite bakes for all occasions:

It’s Party Time!

If you’re celebrating with friends, these colorful Rainbow Cookies are the very essence of fun! Perfect for parties, the layers of bright and festive cookie are topped with chocolate frosting and finished off with a dusting of all-important sugar sprinkles. Frivolous and cheerful, Rainbow Cookies will go down a treat on informal occasions. For a (slightly) more subtle hit of color, try our M&M and Chocolate Chip Cookies. These eye-catching offerings are ideal for chocolate lovers, and will bring a smile to your guests’ faces without fail! They’re studded with real chocolate chips and topped with mini M&Ms, and would make a lovely centre piece for a child’s party or a celebratory tea.

 

 

Brownies The Ultimate Feel-Good Food

Proper comfort food, in our opinion, has to involve chocolate, and plenty of it! If you’re mourning a lost love, struggling with stress or simply feeling sorry for yourself and in need of a boost, our luxury Homestyle Nut Free Brownies are bound to hit the right spot. Made with love and the authentic taste of home baking, these moist, chewy and chocolatey goodies are simply scrumptious, and are the ultimate way to treat yourself when you’re feeling blue, just try not to eat the whole tin in one sitting!

Mini Rugelach, Elegant Edibles

For those occasions when you need to go all-out to impress, we’ve got plenty of choice. Whether you’re trying to seduce your secret crush or make a good impression on your best corporate client, think chic, classy and sophisticated… Bitesize bakes win it for us every time, with the cuteness factor and of course the fact that they’re great for sharing. Our selection of Fresh Baked Mini Rugelach offers plenty of scope to amaze and delight. They look great on a platter as a table centre piece, or in a beautiful presentation tin if you’re sending them as a gift – why not order a selection of flavors for a stylish and scrumptious way to show you care?

Play It Safe With Classic Cookie Favorites

If you’re not sure about your recipient’s preferences, or you simply can’t make your mind up from our fabulous array of scrumptious delights, you can’t go wrong with the good old classic cookie. Our Gourmet Cookies are available in a selection of tempting flavors, including traditional classics like chocolate chip and oatmeal raison. We bake our wonderfully soft and sweet cookies fresh every day, so whatever the occasion and whichever cookies, cake or  you opt for in the end, you’re guaranteed freshness and great taste every time.

 

Babka Cake

The impressive-looking Babka Cake is a brioche-like sponge cake, traditional as a celebration cake in Eastern Europe. It’s often baked in a round pan, and decorated with vanilla and chocolate flavored icing. The Jewish version of Babka is made from twisted length of dough and baked in a loaf pan. In Poland, Albania, Macedonia and Bulgaria, Babke Cake is usually baked to be eaten on Easter Sunday, although it’s also enjoyed during other celebrations too.

Origins of Babka

Old forms of Babka are said to have been similar to an Italian pannetone, and were much larger and higher than their modern equivalent. They would have been known as baba, meaning grandmother, referring to their shape resembling pleated skirts. The name babka translates as little grandmother. In the past, Eastern Europe was relatively poor, and luxury ingredients like chocolate would have been extremely hard to come by. Traditional Babka Cakes are more likely to have been sweetened and decorated with the addition of honey and dried or candied fruits, with chocolate being a later evolution.

Jewish Babka is thought to have first come about during the early 1800s. Housewives making dough for challah bread, braided bread eaten on the Sabbath and Jewish holidays, would have prepared extra dough, to be filled with cinnamon or jam, which was then rolled up and baked as a special treat.

Streusel Topping

The popular crumb topping now found on Babka Cakes is known as streusel. It’s sprinkled on the top of loaf-shaped cakes before baking, and often layered inside the dough too. Streusel is made with a mixture of flour, butter and sugar, sometimes with cinnamon, spices or nuts included too. It adds an element of extra sweetness and crunch to any cake.

Babka’s Big Break!

Traditionalists may disapprove, preferring to stick with tried and tested methods and enjoying Babka as it was originally intended, however there are many inventive ways to experiment with baking and eating Babka. From buns and bread pudding to ice cream sandwiches and even cereal, the possibilities seem to be endless. Whether you’d like to get creative in the kitchen or follow in your forefathers’ footsteps, baking Babka is probably not a recipe for beginners to undertake, and certainly doesn’t suit an impatient baker. It can be a time-consuming process, but definitely worth the extra effort!

Baking Babka at Home

It may not be quick, but baking Babka yourself doesn’t have to be difficult. There are plenty of very good recipes and tutorials online, many with step-by-step instructions and pictures to follow, like this one for Chocolate Babka from Tori Avey. If you’re looking for an intricate and impressive centrepiece for a celebratory table, Babka makes an excellent choice. This is a rich cake with an even richer history, which can form part of your own family tradition – at Easter, or as part of any other special meal. If you’re lacking the time, patience or skill to bake your own Babka, we at Gimmee Jimmy’s have a selection of Babka Crumb Cakes which we’re ready to bake fresh to order. Give your family and friends a taste or traditional baking with none of the effort, by ordering one of our delicious Babkas to arrive in time for your celebration!

5 New York Kosher Classics You've Got To Try

If you’re anything like us, you probably enjoy reminiscing about the past, and enjoying those special foods that take you back to another time and place. In a place as diverse and special as NYC, it’s no surprise that there are so many favorite comfort foods that truly represent a taste of the Big Apple. Here are a few of our favorite New York kosher classics that will surely take you back to the good old days:

Can you think of other great tasting treats? let us know at info@gjcookies.com or tweet us @gjcookies 

1. Black and White Cookies

The iconic black and white cookie is the city’s quintessential sweet treat. Believed to have originated in upstate New York, these delicious biscuits are a favorite among all ages. They offer the best of both tastes, with chocolate icing on one half and vanilla on the other. While you can buy packaged versions, they simply can’t compare to a fresh baked biscuit. Today, you can even find them in pink and white and blue and white versions.

2. Matzo Ball Soup

This traditional Jewish soup is an important part of Passover meals, as well as a warm and delicious comfort food for many. It consists of warm chicken broth and hearty dumplings made out of a mixture of water, matzah meal, eggs, and some type of a fat, like oil. When left to simmer on the stove, the matzo balls soak up the rich flavors of the chicken broth. The history of Matzo Ball soup extends back to biblical times. Today, you can find matzo available in supermarkets, making it easy to enjoy a bowl at home, as well as in restaurants and delis throughout the Big Apple.

3. Babka

Kosher babka is usually made with cinnamon or chocolate, making it a sweet bread that’s really more like a cake, in terms of taste. It’s traditionally made out of yeast dough that is braided or twisted, and can be topped with streusel for added sweetness. Not only does it taste amazing, but it looks just as lovely, too.

 

4. Kosher Pickles

Traditional kosher pickles have a long history in the city, dating back to the beginning of the 20^th century. At the time, they could be found being cured in barrels in the lower east side’s Jewish neighborhoods as the immigrant population grew and expanded. Today, the techniques of those early years are still being used to make these crispy, sour snacks. They’re great for snacking on their own, or are perfectly paired up with a sandwich, like the next one on our list.

5. Mile High Smoked Meat Sandwich

 

Just one bite of this sandwich will have you tasting history. No trip to New York’s iconic Katz’s Deli would be complete without indulging in a delicious Mile High Smoked Meat sandwich. While you can find this classic Jewish sandwich all over the city, Katz’s has been serving it up since it opened in 1888. It consists of layers of pastrami, a dry cured meat, which is rich in smoky, peppery flavors, piled between two pieces of rye bread. With this sandwich, it’s not only about the taste, but the textures. Some prefer to add mustard on top their meat for a little extra kick, and it’s always good to have a crispy kosher pickle on the side for added crunch.

 

Can you think of other great tasting treats? let us know at info@gjcookies.com or tweet us @gjcookies 

 

The black and white cookie has been an NYC snack staple for many years. This iced biscuit with a cake-like texture, also sometimes referred to as a half and half cookie, makes an ideal dessert for all kinds of occasions, or even just an everyday treat. Here are 10 surprising things you didn’t know about the iconic black and white cookie:

1) The origin of the black and white cookie isn’t known, but it has a long history in New York. The popular belief is that it originated upstate, and some suggest that Hemstrought's Bakery in Utica was the first to bake it in the early 20^th century. In any case, the black and white cookie is a favorite among New Yorkers, especially in New York City.

2) Black and white cookies don’t only come in one color combination- you can now get them in pink and white, and in blue and white. They have the same delicious taste, but the colors make them a perfect addition to a dessert table at a baby shower, gender reveal party, birthday parties, and more. They also make a great gift to send to someone.

3) The black and white cookie is often confused with the half-moon, a very similar baked good that has chocolate frosting on one side and vanilla on the other. The difference is that the half-moon is typically larger, with a spongier base.

4) The icing on a black and white cookie is a chocolate fondant on one half and vanilla fondant on the other. Using fondant gives a firmer texture, whereas the half-moon uses a fluffier frosting.

5) While campaigning in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in October of 2008, President Obama dubbed the black and white cookie a “unity” cookie.

6) The cookie was mentioned on Seinfeld in two different episodes, which is no surprise, as the series is set in NYC. In episode “The Dinner Party”, Jerry says to “look to the cookie”, as a way to refer to racial harmony.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlLPAIrmqvE[/embed]

7) Technically, the traditional black and white is actually a drop cake, but the amount of flour used in the recipe creates the firmer consistency. With less flour, the cookie would end up more fluffy and cupcake-like.

8) While the cookies are now typically made with a vanilla base, some of the first versions were made with a chocolate base. You can still find the chocolate based ones in upstate New York, but it’s more often reserved for the half-moon style cookies.

9) Germany has a similar version of the black and white cookie, known as the Amerikaner. It was first brought to the country by US soldiers during the Second World War, but this version has one half glazed in sugar and the other with melted chocolate.

10) You can actually find black and white cookies for sale all around the US, with many supermarkets carrying packaged versions. However, if you want the truly authentic cookies, it’s best to purchase them fresh baked. And if you’re ever in New York City, it’s well worth your time to find a bakery and buy a batch to snack on while exploring the Big Apple. But if your not in the city, consider a speedy delivery of these sweet treats from Gimmee Jimmy's Cookies.