Chocolate Chip Cookies

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
Total Time: Approximately 30-35 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and fluffy using a hand mixer or a stand mixer.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until the flour is incorporated.
5. Gently fold in the semisweet chocolate chips using a spatula or wooden spoon.
6. Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving enough space between each cookie to allow for spreading during baking.
7. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may look slightly undercooked, but they will firm up as they cool.
8. Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.

History:

The chocolate chip cookie was invented by Ruth Graves Wakefield in the 1930s. Ruth was the owner of the Toll House Inn, a popular restaurant in Whitman, Massachusetts. While preparing a batch of Butter Drop Do cookies, she ran out of baker's chocolate. In a moment of inspiration, she decided to break up a semi-sweet chocolate bar into small pieces and mix them into the cookie dough, expecting them to melt and create chocolate cookies. To her surprise, the chocolate bits held their shape, and the chocolate chip cookie was born.

Ruth's creation quickly gained popularity, and she struck a deal with Nestlé to print her recipe on the back of their chocolate bar packaging. Nestlé also provided her with free chocolate for life in exchange for the rights to use her recipe. The name "Toll House" became synonymous with chocolate chip cookies, and they remain a beloved classic treat to this day.

Interesting Facts:

- The original recipe for chocolate chip cookies is still printed on Nestlé's chocolate chip bags as the "Original Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie."

- The chocolate chip cookie is the official state cookie of Massachusetts in the United States.

- The "Nestlé Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie" recipe is considered one of the most famous recipes in American baking history.

- There are many variations of the chocolate chip cookie, including ones with nuts, oatmeal, or white chocolate chips, catering to different tastes and preferences.

Note: The baking time may vary depending on your oven and the size of the cookie dough balls.