National Chocolate Chip Day

Happy looking child with chocolate smeared all over their face, wearing a chef's hat, surrounded by a kitchen filled with baking supplies.. — National chocolate chip day illustration

Settle down, grab a warm cookie and prepare for a delightfully sweet journey back in time. Welcome to the digitally delicious world of National Chocolate Chip Day! This dough-lightful day has a rich (and gooey) online history, and we're here to spill the chocolate chips on every morsel of its tasty timeline!

When is Chocolate Chip Day?

It's national chocolate chip day on the 15th May.

The Sweet Origin Story

National Chocolate Chip Day originates from the happy accident of Ruth Graves Wakefield when she ran out of baker's chocolate and used chopped up semi-sweet chocolate instead. To her surprise, the chocolate did not melt and thus, the world's first batch of chocolate chip cookies was born, an event arguably as important as the wheel. The internet toasted to this serendipitous moment on 15 May 2015, when National Chocolate Chip Day mentions reached a whopping 13470. Imagine all those virtual cookies!

Viral Treats

The popularity of National Chocolate Chip Day has seen a steady rise ever since. People showering cyberspace with drool-worthy chocolate chip recipes, sharing mouthwatering photos of homemade cookies, or simply reminiscing their fondest cookie-eating memories. So, if you ever need a pick-me-up, just search #NationalChocolateChipDay to drown in a sea of digital joy and, if you're not careful, actual drool.

A Sweet Day to Remember

Year after year, this day serves as a reminder of the simple joys in life, a bite-sized piece of happiness available at home, school, or the office. It's a celebration for the kids, the kids-in-heart, and the outright cookie monsters among us. A day to bake, share, love and most importantly - a day to eat. Lots of cookies.

History behind the term 'Chocolate Chip'

1937

The Birth of the Chocolate Chip Cookie

In 1937, Ruth Graves Wakefield, the owner of the Toll House Inn in Massachusetts, invented the chocolate chip cookie. She was preparing a batch of butter drop do cookies when she ran out of baker's chocolate. Thinking quickly, she decided to substitute it with a semisweet chocolate bar, hoping that it would melt and disperse evenly throughout the dough. However, the chocolate only softened, creating the world's first chocolate chip cookie.

1939

Collaboration with Nestlé

After the success of her chocolate chip cookies, Ruth Wakefield began receiving numerous requests for her recipe. In 1939, she entered into an agreement with Nestlé, allowing them to print her recipe on their semi-sweet chocolate bars' packaging. This partnership not only popularized the chocolate chip cookie but also led to the creation of Nestlé's famous Toll House chocolate chips, which were made in a convenient morsel form.

1941

The Spread of Chocolate Chip Cookies

During World War II, soldiers from Massachusetts would often receive care packages containing homemade chocolate chip cookies. These cookies reminded them of home and provided a comforting taste in the midst of war. As the soldiers shared their treats with fellow servicemen from other states, the popularity of chocolate chip cookies quickly spread across the country, solidifying their place as an American classic.

1984

National Chocolate Chip Day

In 1984, National Chocolate Chip Day was established to honor the beloved chocolatey morsels. Celebrated on May 15th each year, this day has become a time for people to indulge in their favorite chocolate chip treats, whether it's cookies, pancakes, or ice cream. National Chocolate Chip Day celebrates the timeless appeal of this classic ingredient and the joy it brings to people of all ages.

Today

Chocolate Chip Innovations

Chocolate chips have continued to evolve and inspire culinary creativity. Today, you can find a wide variety of chocolate chip flavors, from classic semi-sweet to milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and even white chocolate. Additionally, bakers have experimented with adding different textures and fillings to chocolate chip cookies, such as nuts, oatmeal, or even bacon. The versatility and enduring popularity of chocolate chips ensure that they will remain a staple in baking for years to come.

Did you know?

Did you know? Chocolate chip cookies were originally called 'Toll House Crunch Cookies'? This name came from the Toll House Inn where Ruth Graves Wakefield made her epic discovery.