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WILLIAM GREENBERG JR DESSERTS

Updated

Phone: (212) 861-1340

Address: 1100 MADISON AVENUE 10028

TLDR

Quintessential NYC bakery famous for its legendary black and white cookies [1], offering a dense yet light vanilla cake base topped with sweet frosting. Also known for sticky buns and a variety of other baked goods [1].

Reddit Sentiment for WILLIAM GREENBERG JR DESSERTS(based on 43 Reddit opinions)

58% Positive33% Neutral7% Negative

Achievements and Accolades

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Tags

bakery 9american 6jewish 4cookies 23desserts 5cookie 4View All

Neighborhoods

Upper East Side

Instagram Posts References

Summary

Recent Articles

Details

This Upper East Side bakery, a fixture since 1946, is celebrated for its iconic New York black and white cookies [1]. These cookies boast a perfectly balanced vanilla cake base, dense yet light, crowned with a smooth frosting. Beyond their signature cookie, they also serve the Amerikaner variation, along with a tempting selection of crumb cakes, challah, rugelach, and strudel [1].

Food Overview

Renowned for its classic New York black and white cookies, described as having a dense yet light vanilla cake base and soft frosting [1]. Reviewers note the texture is more cake-like than crispy, with some comparing it to 'donettes' [2, 1]. Other highly recommended items include their addictive sticky buns, known as Schnecken [1], and rugelach [3]. A flourless chocolate cake and strawberry shortcake are also mentioned positively [4, 5].

Highlights / Recommended

"The establishment is most famous for its black and white cookies, which are lauded for their soft, chewy, cake-like texture [1, 2]. Other highly recommended items include their addictive sticky buns (Schnecken) [1] and rugelach [3]."

Mentioned Dishes:

  • black and white cookie(2)

Customer Sentiment

Customers overwhelmingly praise the black and white cookies, with many calling them the best they've ever had and noting their unique cake-like texture [1, 2]. The sticky buns (Schnecken) also receive specific commendation [1].

Reddit Opinions & Reviews

Top Reddit Posts About WILLIAM GREENBERG JR DESSERTS

This thread is a deep dive into the best black and white cookies in NYC, with William Greenberg Desserts consistently being recommended as a top contender, with many users proclaiming them to be in a league of their own [1, 2].
In a discussion about cookie textures, a user mentions that William Greenberg's black and white cookies are not crunchy at all, clarifying their cake-like consistency [1].
This user declared William Greenberg Desserts the winner for black and white cookies after an extensive taste test, also highlighting their addictive sticky buns called Schnecken [1].
A visitor found the Black and White cookie from William Greenberg Desserts to have a surprising texture and flavor, describing it as very good and cake-like [1]. Another commenter confirmed this, explaining the classic recipe uses yellow cake batter baked directly on the sheet [2].
Discussion around individually wrapped mini black and white cookies, with suggestions to contact William Greenberg Desserts directly, as they offer gift boxes and the cookies reportedly stay fresh for several days [1].

Recent Reddit Mentions

From post: Individually Wrapped Mini Black And White Cookies

"This user suggested that William Greenberg Desserts would likely accommodate a request for individually wrapped mini cookies if called, noting their accommodating nature."

Neutral
May 14, 2026View Comment →

From post: Individually Wrapped Mini Black And White Cookies

"In response to a query about individually wrapped mini cookies, this commenter suggested checking if Bloomingdales previously sold a tin from William Greenberg Desserts containing such items and recommended calling the store for confirmation."

Neutral
May 13, 2026View Comment →

From post: Individually Wrapped Mini Black And White Cookies

"This user inquired if the mini cookies from William Greenberg Desserts are individually wrapped, as they wanted to provide more than one per person."

Neutral
May 13, 2026View Comment →

From post: Individually Wrapped Mini Black And White Cookies

"This commenter suggested William Greenberg Desserts for individually wrapped black and white cookies, mentioning they also offer gift boxes of full-size or mini cookies. The cookies reportedly stay fresh for up to 5 days at room temperature or 8 days refrigerated."

Positive
May 13, 2026View Comment →

From post: Individually Wrapped Mini Black And White Cookies

"This commenter mentioned Meredith's Bakery at various farmers markets offers individually wrapped cookies and suggested William Greenberg Desserts as a preferred option, though unsure if they offer individually wrapped ones."

Neutral
May 13, 2026View Comment →

From post: Best Nyc Treatschocolates To Bring To A West

"A user expressed doubt about the freshness of black and white cookies from William Greenberg Bakery after a week."

Negative
May 8, 2026View Comment →

From post: Best Nyc Treatschocolates To Bring To A West

"A user recommended mini black and white cookies from William Greenberg Bakery as a treat to bring to a West Coast office."

Neutral
May 6, 2026View Comment →

From post: Where To Lose Beef Virginity

"The original poster is considering various options for their first beef experience, including burgers and sandwiches, while deliberately excluding steak."

Neutral
May 4, 2026View Comment →

From post: Kentucky Derby Pie Derby Party Food

"This commenter stated that William Greenberg Desserts has chocolate pecan pies."

Positive
Apr 30, 2026View Comment →

From post: Where Can I Find The Most Fudgy And Dense Cake

"The user recommended William Greenberg's for its flourless chocolate cake."

Positive
Apr 20, 2026View Comment →

From post: Iso Southern Caramel Cake

"This establishment is suggested as a place to check for caramel cake."

Neutral
Apr 11, 2026View Comment →

From post: What Food Starts Increasing In Your Life When

"Asks for recommendations on where to find a great Black and White cookie, mentioning Greenberg Bakery as a place to try."

Neutral
Mar 8, 2026View Comment →

From post: What Food Starts Increasing In Your Life When

"Recommends Greenberg Bakery for its Black and White cookies."

Positive
Mar 7, 2026View Comment →

From post: Rainbow Cookie Project Update Queens Is Complete

"Provided the location of William Greenberg Desserts on the Upper West Side and Upper East Side in Manhattan."

Neutral
Feb 16, 2026View Comment →

From post: Rainbow Cookie Project Update Queens Is Complete

"William Greenberg Desserts is a place to check for rainbow cookies."

Neutral
Feb 16, 2026View Comment →

From post: Where Can I Find The Best Seven Layer Cake

"The user provided a link to W.M. Greenberg Desserts for seven layer cake."

Neutral
Feb 11, 2026View Comment →

From post: Best Brownie Cheesecake In Nyc

"This user suggested William Greenberg Desserts as a likely place to find a good cheesecake brownie, noting that such items might be on a rotating menu and not necessarily a seasonal offering."

Positive
Dec 23, 2025View Comment →

From post: Bakeries Selling Gingerbread People

"The commenter suggested William Greenberg Desserts as a place to find gingerbread people."

Positive
Dec 22, 2025View Comment →

From post: Where Can You Buy Premade Gingerbread Houses In

"The original poster thanked the user for the recommendation of William Greenberg Desserts."

Positive
Nov 25, 2025View Comment →

From post: Where Can You Buy Premade Gingerbread Houses In

"The user recommended William Greenberg Desserts as a place that sells premade gingerbread houses."

Positive
Nov 25, 2025View Comment →