National Chocolate Chip Day
Chocolate chip cookies, chocolate chip cookie dough pops…the possibilities are endless for tasty, irresistible treats on National Chocolate Chip Day.
Is there anything that makes everything better like chocolate? Obviously not, that’s why the ultimate in chocolate portability was designed, the chocolate chip.
Chocolate chips are not only easy to transport around, they’re also completely versatile! Want to make any cookie better? Add chocolate chips! (Oatmeal, Macadamia, Peanut Butter?
All cookies that are better with chocolate chips!) National Chocolate Chip Day celebrates these amazing little culinary inventions, and all that they can do.
How to Celebrate National Chocolate Chip Day
Well, the first thing to do is remember that National Chocolate Chip Day isn’t just about cookies, it’s about all the things you can include chocolate chips in!
Pancakes, muffins, pudding, ice cream, granola bars, pies, these are just a few of the wonderful creations you can add them to. We’ll be honest though, our favorite way to enjoy chocolate chips? By the handful out of the bag.
If you’re really committed to the cause, though, why not add chocolate chips to all of your meals? For breakfast, add some chocolate chips to your cereal or start the day with some delicious chocolate chip pancakes!
For lunch, why not add some chocolate chips to your yogurt? You can then enjoy a tasty chocolate chip muffin or chocolate chip cookie as a midday snack.
And then, finish off the day with some chocolate chip ice cream after your dinner! It’s only one day of the year, so you may as well make the most of it, right?
History of National Chocolate Chip Day
It all started at a little place you may recognize the name of, the Toll House Inn.
Located in Whitman, Massachusetts, it just happens to be the home of that most favorite of cookies, the chocolate chip cookie.
Ruth Graves Wakefield had originally planned on making a chocolate cookie, and decided to do so by throwing in chunks of a chocolate bar into it.
In a happy accident, it turned out that the chocolate did not melt and mix with the rest of the cookie, but maintained its shape, filling the cookie with delicious little chocolate bits.
Thus was born the chocolate chip cookie, and the Toll House Cookie Company! From that day forward there have been new forms of chocolate chip added, white chocolate chip, mint chocolate, milk chocolate, bittersweet chocolate, even dark chocolate!
All of these varieties being added to delicious new recipes to create fantastic new treats for you to enjoy!
But it didn’t immediately go from chocolate bar to chocolate chip, there was a little innovation that happened in between first. Based off of the success of the cookies she made, Nestle agreed to add Ms. Wakefield’s recipe to their wrapper.
What did they pay her for this honor? A lifetime supply of chocolate! Sounds like an awesome deal to us too!
Nestle (and at least one other company) went on to include a chopping tool to help prepare the bars for use in cookies. That is, right up until 1941 when they started selling them as ‘chocolate chips’ or ‘chocolate morsels’.
Originally, the flavor of chocolate chips was semi-sweet. Today, we have seen so many different inventions.
Of course, semi-sweet is still as popular as ever. However, we’ve also got white and dark swirled, white chocolate, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and bittersweet chocolate chips to feast on. Your imagination is the only limit when it comes to baking with this ingredient.
Why Not Make Some Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Pops?
If you take a look on the Internet, you will see some exciting recipes for National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day. One of our favorite recipes is chocolate chip cookie dough pops. Here’s how to make them…
Ingredients
- 10 oz dark chocolate melting wafers
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- ½ teaspoon salt
- One teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup of sugar
- One and ½ cups of brown sugar
- One cup of unsalted butter, which has been softened to room temperature
- One and ¾ cup of all-purpose flour
- Sprinkles are optional!
Instructions
- Grab a large bowl and place the sugars and softened butter inside. Use an electric mixer to combine the two ingredients until they are creamy.
- Add the salt and vanilla extract. Stir well.
- Gradually add the sifted, cooled flour mixture. Stir until the ingredients are combined fully.
- Now, we’re ready for the chocolate chips! Stir them in.
- You should now have your cookie dough mixture. Scoop it up into one and ½ tablespoon-sized balls. Roll the mixture between your palms until it is smooth.
- Place the dough balls onto a baking sheet that has been lined with wax paper, and leave it to chill in the fridge for 20 minutes.
- While the cooking dough is chilling in the fridge, you can prepare a box of the cookie dough pops to be placed inside. You can use a piece of styrofoam or any sort of box that you have in the home whereby a tiny hole can be pierced into the surface. Make sure that the cake pop stick is going to fit through the hole and that the stick will be supported once the cookie dough has been added to the end of it.
- Once your cookie dough balls are fully chilled, you can then prepare the melting wafers. There should be instructions on the package. It is best to follow this.
- Place a cake pop stick into a cookie dough ball, and then dip it into the melted chocolate. Drain off any excess chocolate, and add some sprinkles if you want to.
National Chocolate Chip Day FAQs
Did you know the chocolate chip cookie was invented by accident?
In 1938, Ruth Graves Wakefield, owner of the Toll House Inn in Massachusetts, intended to bake chocolate cookies.
Lacking baker’s chocolate, she substituted broken pieces of semi-sweet chocolate, expecting them to melt. Instead, the chunks retained their shape, leading to the creation of the first chocolate chip cookie.
How did chocolate chips become a staple in baking?
After the chocolate chip cookie’s invention, Nestlé saw a surge in demand for their semi-sweet chocolate.
They struck a deal with Ruth Wakefield to print her recipe on their packaging.
In exchange, she received a lifetime supply of chocolate. Nestlé then began producing ready-made chocolate chips to simplify the baking process.
What is the origin of National Chocolate Chip Day?
National Chocolate Chip Day is celebrated annually on May 15th.
While the exact origins of the holiday are unclear, it serves as a day to honor the versatile chocolate chip, encouraging enthusiasts to incorporate them into various recipes and indulge in chocolate chip treats.
How did chocolate chip cookies gain popularity during World War II?
During World War II, soldiers from Massachusetts shared chocolate chip cookies sent from home with fellow soldiers from other parts of the United States.
This sharing introduced the treat to a wider audience, significantly boosting its popularity nationwide.
What is the record for the world’s largest chocolate chip cookie?
In 2003, the Immaculate Baking Company in Flat Rock, North Carolina, baked a chocolate chip cookie weighing over 40,000 pounds.
The colossal cookie measured 102 feet in diameter and required a specially constructed oven for baking.
Are there variations of chocolate chips beyond the traditional semi-sweet?
Yes, chocolate chips come in various flavors, including milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and even flavored varieties like mint or peanut butter.
This diversity allows bakers to experiment with different tastes in their recipes.
Is there a difference between chocolate chips and chocolate morsels?
The terms “chips” and “morsels” are often used interchangeably.
However, some brands, like Nestlé, prefer the term “morsels.” Despite the naming differences, both refer to small chunks of chocolate used primarily in baking.
How did the chocolate chip cookie become Massachusetts’ official state cookie?
In 1997, Massachusetts designated the chocolate chip cookie as its official state cookie. This decision honored Ruth Wakefield’s creation of the cookie at the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts.
What role did the Toll House Inn play in the history of chocolate chip cookies?
The Toll House Inn, owned by Ruth Graves Wakefield, is where the chocolate chip cookie was invented.
The inn’s popularity and the cookie’s subsequent fame led to the widespread adoption of the recipe, making it a staple in American households.
How have chocolate chip cookies influenced popular culture?
Chocolate chip cookies have become an iconic American treat, inspiring various adaptations in desserts like ice creams, cakes, and even being featured in popular media.
Their enduring popularity showcases their significant impact on culinary traditions and popular culture.
Need some inspiration?
Check out these videos for some extra inspiration in getting involved!
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