Historically, immigrants from Italy created the rainbow cookie to pay homage to their ancestral country (the colors represent the Italian flag). Tradition dictates that the cookie is made of layers of almond-paste cake separated by fruit jam and coated with chocolate. Locally, bakeries and restaurants around Westchester are adapting on the classic, creating custom confections that bend the rules and celebrate the Italian cookie in a whole new way.
Rainbow Cookie Cheesecake at Homestyle Desserts Bakery
24 S Water St, Peekskill; 914.737.4659
Everything tastes better when it’s on a stick, especially this dessert. Cheesecake’s richness can overpower other flavors, but at Homestyle Desserts Bakery, the essence of a rainbow cookie truly shines through. Did we mention that it’s frozen and dipped in chocolate? Just another reason to run here this summer.
Rainbow Cookie Ice Cream at Bona Bona Ice Cream
10 Westchester Ave, Port Chester; 914.481.5712
71 US-6 Baldwin Pl, Yorktown Heights; 914.600.3004
This is no run of the mill cookies-and-cream combo. Beat the heat with a scoop of rainbow cookie ice cream with bona fide chunks of cookies, served Bona-style — topped with a spiral of torched Italian meringue. If you haven’t mixed rainbow cookies with ice cream, then consider this your sign to try one in ice cream sandwich form. Now with two locations, Bona Bona offers double the rainbow cookie fun in Westchester.
Rainbow Cookies at Martine’s Fine Bake Shoppe
10 Fisher Ave, Tuckahoe; 914.346.8640
48 E Pkwy, Scarsdale; 914.722.4949
For the freshest cakes and pastries that are always made in-house, Martine’s Bake Shoppe has the finest rainbow cookies. If you happen to be in Scarsdale or Tuckahoe, don’t miss out on the opportunity to a batch home (your sweet tooth will be glad you did). Martine’s also has custom cake options along with traditional flavors like Funfetti and coconut dream.
Rainbow Cookie Bars at Sugar Hi
380 Main St, Armonk; 914.273.4777
With so many eye-catching desserts available, including raspberry pop tarts, push pops by the dozen, and cinnamon roll cakes, you’ll feel like a kid in a candy store. Keep your eye on the goal: rainbow cookie desserts. Go for the baked goods platter; it’s like a pastry charcuterie board that your guests will most certainly appreciate (available in small, medium, and large sizes).
Over the Border Bonus
Josie & Tony’s
20 North Main St, South Norwalk, CT
Stop by at Josie & Tony’s in Connecticut for some of the most raved about rainbow cookies. These tri-color cookies are made with homemade raspberry jam and topped with melted chocolate. See why this restaurant owned by Josh Mesnik is a favorite among celebrities like Clive Davis and Martha Stewart.
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Related: The Dessert Cocktails Your Sweet Tooth Needs in Westchester
Dining and Cooking