Chocolate chip cookie

Chocolate chip cookie is a popular type of cookie that originated in the United States. It is characterized by its ingredients, which include chocolate chips as its distinguishing feature.

History

The chocolate chip cookie was invented by Ruth Graves Wakefield in the 1930s. Wakefield, who owned the Toll House Inn, a popular restaurant in Whitman, Massachusetts, is said to have come up with the recipe by accident when she ran out of regular baker's chocolate and substituted it with chopped up semi-sweet chocolate. The chocolate did not melt into the dough as she expected, resulting in a cookie with chunks of chocolate throughout. The recipe was published in her cookbook, Toll House Tried and True Recipes, and the cookie quickly became a favorite treat across the country.

Ingredients and Preparation

The basic ingredients of a chocolate chip cookie are butter, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, eggs, baking soda, salt, flour, and chocolate chips. Some variations may include nuts, oatmeal, or other types of chocolate such as milk or white.

The preparation involves creaming together the butter, sugar, and brown sugar, then adding the eggs and vanilla extract. The dry ingredients are mixed in a separate bowl and then gradually added to the wet ingredients. The chocolate chips are added last. The dough is then dropped by spoonfuls onto a baking sheet and baked in a preheated oven.

Variations

There are many variations of the chocolate chip cookie, including the double chocolate chip cookie, which includes cocoa powder in the dough, and the chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, which features chunks of raw cookie dough in vanilla ice cream. Other variations may include different types of chips, such as butterscotch or peanut butter, or additions like nuts or dried fruit.

Cultural Impact

The chocolate chip cookie has had a significant cultural impact, particularly in the United States. It is often associated with comfort and home cooking, and is a popular choice for bake sales and holiday baking. It is also the official state cookie of both Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.

See Also

• Cookie
• Ruth Graves Wakefield
• Toll House Inn
• Baking