Small Size, Big Flavor: The Sweet History of Chocolate Chips
Who can resist the a warm, freshly baked cookie stuffed with deliciously melty chocolate chips? Chocolate chips are by far one of the most popular ingredients in baking. But have you ever wondered about their origin? Prepare to embark on a mouthwatering journey as we uncover the sweet, sweet history of chocolate chips.
From accidental discoveries to iconic cookie recipes, the story behind these tiny morsels is guaranteed to make you hungry!
The History of Chocolate Chips
We’re going back to the year was 1937. Ruth Wakefield, the owner of the Toll House Inn in Massachusetts, was experimenting with a batch of Butter Drop Do cookies. She had run out of baker’s chocolate, so she decided to break a semisweet Nestlé chocolate bar into small chunks and added them to the dough.
She expected them to melt and spread throughout the cookies. But the chocolate bits retained their shape and the chocolate chip cookie was born! Nestlé quickly saw the potential and struck a deal with Ruth Wakefield, featuring her recipe on the back of their chocolate bars in exchange for a lifetime supply of chocolate.
Chocolate Chips Go Mainstream
The introduction of the Toll House chocolate chip cookie recipe in the 1930s made chocolate chips a household name. People across America fell in love with the soft, chewy cookies and the demand for chocolate chips skyrocketed.
Nestlé was quick to meet this demand by producing their chocolate chips, specifically designed for baking. Making it easier than ever to recreate the Toll House cookies at home.
As chocolate chips gained popularity, bakers and dessert enthusiasts began incorporating them into a wide variety of treats. From brownies to muffins, cakes to pancakes and even ice cream. It didn’t take long for chocolate chips to become a staple ingredient in countless dessert recipes, adding a touch of sweetness and a burst of chocolatey goodness to every bite.
Over the years, chocolate chips have undergone some fun transformations. Today, you can find chocolate chips in various sizes, like mini chips, jumbo chips, extra-dark & white chocolate options. The introduction of different flavors and fillings like mint, caramel, butterscotch and peanut butter-filled chips, has further expanded the possibilities for creating tasty treats.
A few of my favorite Recipes
3 ingredient graham cracker brownies
White chocolate lofthouse cookies
The Original Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup 2 sticks butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups 12-ounce package NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
- 1 cup chopped nuts Optional. If omitting, add 1 to 2 Tbsp. of all-purpose flour.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375° F.
- Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.