Yin Yang Cookies

Name: Yin Yang Cookies
Yield: makes 25 to 30 cookies
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon baking soda; 3/4 cups (1 1/2 sticks) cold unsalted butter; 1/2 cup shortening; 1 1/2 cups sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 1 tablespoon light corn syrup; 1/2 teaspoon almond extract or Cognac; 1/3 cup sour cream; 3 cups confectioners’ sugar; 1/4 cup light corn syrup; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 tablespoons water; 1 pound Dark Chocolate Plastique (page 134)

December 9, 2011

These playful black-and-white cookies have the simple appeal of chocolate and vanilla as well as the universally appealing symbol of Buddhist duality, yin and yang. By giving these cookies as a gift, you get the return gift of delighting the recipient. For the shortening, look for an all-natural transfat-free brand, available in many health food stores. Use Dark Chocolate Plastique (page 134) to make the chocolate side of the yin yang decoration.

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