Carol Becker

Carol Becker Carol Becker, owner of William Greenberg Desserts, has guided the Upper East Side institution through 80 years of tradition. Famous for their Black & White Cookies, hailed as the city’s best, and Challah and Rugelach that are holiday and celebration staples, the bakery has built a devoted following of generations of New Yorkers.

Since taking the helm in 2008, Becker has guided the Madison Avenue destination into a new era while honoring its legacy. Having grown up on the Upper East Side with fond memories of the bakery’s confections, Becker recognized it as more than a bakery but as a true community fixture. She preserved its heritage by keeping original recipes and longtime bakers, while introducing new favorites like lemon bars, mini bundt cakes, and biscotti, and expanding the bakery’s website and mail-order business. She also added a personal twist to the iconic Black & White Cookies, offering custom colors for special occasions.

Beyond the bakery, Becker is deeply committed to New York’s philanthropic community, partnering with organizations like City Harvest, Meals on Wheels, and the American Cancer Society. In 2019, she authored The William Greenberg Desserts: Classic Desserts from an Iconic New York City Bakery followed by William Greenberg Desserts Bakes Vegan in 2025. With deep respect for heritage and community, Carol Becker is a caretaker of tradition while modernizing William Greenberg Desserts for a new generation.