Name: Half Moon Cookies
Prep time: 8 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: Italian, American
Ingredients: Vanilla Half Moons; 1 1/2 cups sugar; 1/2 cup shortening; 2 eggs; 3 1/2 cups cake flour (for AP flour, add 2 tablespoons cornstarch to 1 cup regular flour); 2 tablespoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 tablespoon pure vanilla; 1 cup milk; For the Chocolate Lovers; Chocolate Half Moons; 3 - 3/4 cups cake flour (for AP flour, add 2 tablespoons cornstarch to 1 cup regular flour); 3/4 teaspoons baking powder; 2 teaspoons baking soda; 2 1/4 cups sugar; 16 tablespoons butter, softened; 3/4 cup cocoa, sifted; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 2 eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 1/2 cups milk; Both recipes should proceed with the same instructions, just with different ingredients; You can use these frosting recipes for both vanilla and chocolate half-moon cookies; however, I will also have other variations in the instructions for more frosting recipes; Dark Chocolate Frosting; 3 cups powdered sugar; 1/4 cup dark unsweetened cocoa powder; 4 tablespoons butter, softened; 2 tablespoons shortening; 1/4 cup milk or heavy cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

If you’re looking for an authentic Central New York Half Moon Cookie, the kind made famous by bakeries in Utica, NY, you’ve come to the right place.

These classic Central NY cookies are soft, cakey, and generously frosted with half vanilla buttercream and half chocolate fudge—nothing like the thin-glazed New York City black-and-whites.

This recipe recreates the original Utica bakery style using simple ingredients and a few key techniques to achieve that signature dome and tender crumb.

Whether you’re nostalgic for the Half Moons you grew up with or discovering them for the first time, this homemade version tastes just like the CNY classic.

You also know that Utica is famous for Tomato Pie, Italian Greens, Italian Lemon Ice, Pizza Fritta, Chicken Riggies, Copycat Utica NY Cheesecake, Upside Down Pizza, and Italian Chocolate Cookies.

Central Utica, NY, is famous for these, and it is where I grew up and have loved since childhood.

half moons with pastel sprinkles for Easter

Flavor Twists for Half Moon Cookies

Chocolate Half-Moon Cookies: (Classic Original Cookie flavor for Central NY) add mini chocolate chips
Spice Cake Half Moons: Add cinnamon, nutmeg, and a dash of clove.
Pumpkin Half Moons: Stir in 1 cup canned pumpkin + increase flour by 1/2 cup.
Lemon Half Moons: Add lemon zest + a touch of lemon oil to the dough.
Coconut topped: Top with a favorite jelly and coconut or all buttercream frosting and coconut.
Sprinkles to Party Themes: During the holidays, we just add colorful themed sprinkles on the white icing for festive half-moon cookies!

Tips for making bakery-style half-moon cookies

Cake flour substituted will give a lighter cake and crumb.
Cream the butter with sugar for at least 3 minutes
If you chill the dough first, they will come up thick, not flat
Bake until set, not browned
Use a cookie scoop for same same-sized cookies
Frost the flat side, not the puffy side!
These freeze perfectly between wax paper up to 3 months, frosted or unfrosted
Use an offset spatula when frosting
Adding heavy cream instead of milk will give a fuller-flavored buttercream frosting
Half moons are best kept layered in wax paper in air-tight containers in the refrigerator as they stay softer

The History of Half-Moon Cookies

The icing is always fluffy buttercream and smooth with a few spread lines for half moons originating in Central N.Y.

Every area takes pride in its traditions, and Utica, New York, has been the home of Half Moon Cookies since 1920. Harry B. Hemstrought crafted his famous Halfmoon recipe in what began as a small bakery on Genesee St. in Utica, New York.

Store-bought as shown below with smooth icing, are what we would consider black and white and not half-moon cookies.

Many areas will have a different take on how these are made, icing, cake, and the name, but our local Central New York bakeries are always half moon, again never black and whites!

Seasonal Toppings

Candy Cane Crunch: Press crushed peppermint candies on the vanilla side — great for Christmas.
Rainbow Jimmies: A Utica-style bakery favorite.
Mini Chocolate Chips: Best sprinkled on the vanilla side.
Cinnamon Sugar Dust: Lightly dust the vanilla side for a snickerdoodle twist.
Cookie Crumble: Oreos, graham crackers, or gingerbread crumbs for texture.

Why You Will Love This Utica, New York, Half Moon Recipe!

You’ll love this recipe because it captures everything people adore about the classic Central New York Half Moon cookie, and you'll see why it is so popular.
The soft, cakey texture, the tall domed shape, and the nostalgic combination of velvety vanilla buttercream and rich chocolate fudge frosting.
These cookies are big, comforting, bakery-style treats that feel both a cozy comfort treat and special, especially to folks who have moved and come back to visit. These are cookies are often a first bakery run when coming home.
They’re easy to customize with fun toppings, perfect for holidays and parties, bridal showers, baby showers, and they taste just as good on day two as they do fresh.
If you grew up in Central NY, they’re wonderfully nostalgic — and if you didn’t, this recipe will show you exactly why everyone there loves them so much.