Why Chocolate Chip is the King of Cookies

What is it about chocolate chip cookies? No matter how you make them – whether large or small, traditional, vegan, paleo, or keto; chewy or crispy; homemade or store bought, the chocolate chip cookie is America’s favorite.

The chocolate chip cookie was invented in 1938 by Ruth Wakefield who, with husband Kenneth, ran the Toll House restaurant in Whitman, Massachusetts from 1930 to 1967. The cookie caught on so fast that Marjorie Husted, whom you may know as Betty Crocker (yes, there was a real person behind Betty!) featured it on her radio show.

Oh, how we love our chocolate chip cookies! And there are several important reasons why.

Versatility – They’re perhaps the most versatile cookie ever. Almost no matter what your personal taste or dietary restrictions, there’s pretty much a cookie recipe to accommodate you. They can be made with less sugar or sugar alternatives such as xylitol or erythritol. The fats used could be butter, vegan “butter”, shortening, or even lard. Can’t have eggs? You can use flax or psyllium “eggs”. You can make them with a gluten-free flour blend, or nut flour or coconut flour, making them suitable for paleo or keto diets. They can be dairy-free with alternative milk and dark, dairy free chocolate. Nuts or no nuts. Thick, thin, soft and chewy, or crispy. In other words, they can be totally custom-made!

Easy – Even the kids can make chocolate chip cookies using a basic recipe

Diverse Textures and Flavors – Just as your teeth are biting into either that chewy or crispy exterior, along comes the firm yet silky-smooth chocolate to seal the deal, exploding in your mouth like the decadent delight it is.

Scientific – Studies have shown that people are drawn more to foods that contain both carbs and fats than foods containing just one or the other. 

Emotional – Ah…there’s something about the smell as these heavenly wonders are baking. Then as you sink your teeth into one fresh from the oven, or even eat them cold with a frosty glass of milk, you’re transported back to your past. It might be fond memories of Mom or Grandma or even a kindly neighbor baking those chocolate chip cookies, the heady aromas delightfully assaulting your senses as you entered the kitchen. Or it could bring back memories of time spent giggling or plotting mischief with your friends, or summer vacations.

Whatever it is, the emotional pull is very real and perhaps, the biggest reason why the chocolate chip is the king of cookies.