Chocolate chip cookies are the ultimate classic, loved by all ages and cultures. They are the perfect combination of crunchy and chewy, sweet and salty, and chocolatey goodness all in one bite. Not many other treats can boast such a delicious combination of flavours and textures.
Brief History and Origin
The chocolate chip cookie is believed to have been invented by Ruth Graves Wakefield in 1938. She owned the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts, known for its desserts. One day when baking her famous Butter Drop Do cookies, she ran out of baker’s chocolate and decided to substitute it with chopped-up pieces of semi-sweet chocolate. To her surprise, the chocolate melted into small pools within the cookie dough instead of creating individual chips. This accidental invention created one of America’s most popular treats – the chocolate chip cookie!
In 1939, Nestle took notice of Wakefield’s invention and began selling bags of semi-sweet chocolate morsels specifically designed for baking cookies. The packaging featured an image of Wakefield in her Toll House kitchen alongside a recipe for “Toll House Chocolate Crunch Cookies” – essentially what we know today as chocolate chip cookies.
Chocolate Chip Cookie – The Recipe
- Preparation Time: 15 mins
- Cooking Time: 10 mins
- Total time: 25 mins
- Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 75g softened butter
- 40g light brown sugar
- 40g granulated white sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 115g all-purpose flour
- Pinch of salt
- 100g chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and preheat it to 170 degrees C. Also, prepare a baking sheet by lining it with non-stick baking paper.
- Add white sugar, brown sugar, and butter in a bowl, and beat using an electric mixer until consistent and creamy.
- Add vanilla extract and eggs, one at a time, and keep whisking until everything is well combined.
- Now add flour and salt, mix using a wooden spatula, add chocolate cookies and mix again until equally distributed.
- Make small scoops of the cookie batter using a teaspoon and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet while maintaining proper spacing.
- Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges turn light brown.
- When ready, take the baking sheet out of the oven, leave for 2 to 3 minutes, then place it on the cooking rack until cool completely.
Popular variations
Here are a few ways you can change this basic recipe to adjust it to your liking:
- Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies:The chocolate’s depth and the mint’s freshness make these cookies very enjoyable.
- Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies:Make traditional chocolate chip cookies perfect for holidays by adding peppermint!
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies:Pumpkin brings a unique flavour to the classic chocolate chip cookies, making them perfect for fall.
- Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies:Adding banana to the chocolate chip cookies make them chewy and healthy.
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies: These cookies are gluten-free and a healthy take on the traditional recipe.
