C'est Bon: The Famous Bonbon Cookies of 1955-1960
Tuesday, August 26, 2008 
1955-1960 was certainly an eventful series of years. Sputnik I was launched; Alaska and Hawaii were proclaimed the 49th and 50th states; Truman Capote published the novella Breakfast at Tiffany's, which would later be made into a film by the same name.
And during these years, there was one cookie that spoke to the times more than any other: the Bonbon Cookie. At least that's what Betty Crocker says. And other than the fact that she's not actually...well, real, she's never led us astray. According to her Cooky Book (1963), the treats are described as being real trailblazers on the cookie frontier:
"candy-like cookies in vogue--women were fascinated by these beautiful and delicious cookies which were baked as cookies, served and eaten as candies. Excitement over Bonbons brought more candy-cookies, Toffee squares and Cream Filberts, for example"
And if that doesn't pique your interest, the photos in the book will (above)--in pastel tones worthy of Marie Antoinette's court, these are without a doubt cookies for ladies, a pinkies-out affair. We had to make them. Turns out, they're amazingly easy--and rather delicious.
- They are rather on the sweet side--so for those who like a less-sweet cookie, you might want to leave off the frosting, or opt for a more savory filling for the cookies, such as chopped nuts or unsweetened coconut; we used chocolate chips, but then again we're not scared of sweet cookies.
In keeping with the spirit of this dainty cookie and the era from which it harkens, we elected to make ours Tiffany Blue, garnishing them with white sugar pellets in white to offer the same color palette as that iconic box with its white bow. We found that adding a drop or so of green with two or three drops of blue food coloring reached the signature tone nicely.- To attain the desired round Bonbon shape, we used a small ice cream scoop to spoon out our dough; while in the scoop we inserted 2-3 chocolate chips, pressed them down, and then reformed the dough over it to secure the filling.
- 1/2 c. soft butter
- 3/4 c. sifted confectioners sugar
- 1 Tbsp. vanilla
- food coloring if desired
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/8 tsp. salt
- Mix 1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar, 2 tbsp cream, 1 tsp vanilla, and food coloring (if desired).
Cookies, cake history, recipes
Reader Comments (55)
Is this color "good for you"? It can't be natural! Still, they look yummy!
I love that color. I think if I could paint everything that color in my house I would! Those are so cute and would be great for a wedding as an accent. They look delicious!
You can never go wrong with Tiffany blue - nice work! I'm enjoying your recent trips down memory lane!
I need to make these and take them to my mom's house. They match the boomerang countertops that she still has!
love the tiffany blue! that blue box must have been quite the inspiration...
I have those in my cookbook...they crack me up for some reason.
I've never seen these before! I think they look great and can see much potential. I'm already planning a Bakewell-style one filled with almond and jam
Oh my, that color is just too funny! My mom has this books from the 60s called The perfect housewife and How to receive guests that are filled with these kind of jewels, lol! In 2050 they'll laugh at our stuff too!
These are ridiculous! I love the heck out of them. I am SO making them this weekend!
WOW Bonbon Cookies I have never seen these before!! Look at the colour so electrifying blue and I just love them!!
Rosie x
LOVE these cookies. So cute. I'd call them "Tiffany Bon Bons!" The sugar topping is an invaluable addition. I'll have to look for some of that stuff at my local baking store.
Hi, I recently found your blog through a link on a different blog who had a link… Just wanted to say how much I am enjoying looking at all your wonderful sweet treats, there is so much inspiration found here, especially your cup cake ice cream cones!
Awesome- Very "put on my frilly apron and froofy dress and greet my hubby with a whisky rocks" kind of cookie. Love it!
I love a good bonbon and these are TOO cute! Love it! :)
Love these. They look so cute and seems they re easy to make too. Like the colour too.
I have seen this recipe so many times but have never been so inticed to try it than now! what a pretty color and they look a whole lot more tasty than in the old photo. Can't wait to try them!
Ah, blue food. I got crap in culinary school for making a blue tuile decor for a mousse cake. The chefs were shocked I'd use this colour - which I was so pleased turned out to be the exact blue of the school logo, incidentally. Anyways, since then I've always been critical of blue food.
These look really cute, however!
These cookies made me smile!
I am going to make these for my husband. He thinks I sit around and pop bonbons all day!! Hee....
but it's so easy! had i known that bonbons were a snap to make, i'd have been gorging on them for the past 15 years. :)
Guh, I was just thinking what I could make today. This is it. I've never seen them before, but god they look cute. I don't have a mini cookie scoop though. Think I could make gigantic ones using an ice cream scoop? Hm... probably not :\
OHHHH. Love the color. I think you may be starting a new retro trend.
i love these cookies!! i actually have the cooky book from '63 that was my grandmother's, and it has all of her special notes & alterations to the recipes! these bonbon cookies were one of her favorites to make... and now mine!
My favorite color! Love anything that reminds me of Tiffany's!
I don't think I've ever eaten anything that color!