Nestle Toll House Cookie Recipe
The sweet smell of chocolate chip cookies has been a favorite in American homes for years. The Nestle Toll House Cookie recipe is at the center of this tradition. It’s a timeless favorite that has lasted through the ages.
As you mix the dough and see the cookies come out of the oven, they look golden and irresistible. You’ll feel like you’re back in your childhood. A warm, gooey cookie was all it took to make you smile.
Table of Contents
The History Behind Toll House Cookies and Ruth Wakefield’s Legacy
The Toll House cookie recipe has a rich history. It all started with Ruth Wakefield’s creativity. In the 1930s, Wakefield and her husband, Kenneth, ran the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts. It was there, in 1938, that she accidentally made the first chocolate chip cookie.
The Original Toll House Inn Story
Wakefield wanted to make chocolate cookies. But, she chopped up a Nestle chocolate bar and added it to the dough. She called it the “Toll House Crunch Cookie.” The cookie became a hit at the inn, and its fame grew fast.
Evolution of the Recipe Through Decades
The Toll House cookie recipe has changed over time. Wakefield’s original recipe was printed 39 times in her cookbook. In 1939, she partnered with Nestle. They agreed to put her recipe on their chocolate bar packaging in exchange for chocolate and a dollar.
Partnership with Nestle Company
The partnership with Nestle was good for both. Nestle created chocolate chips for cookies, making the Toll House recipe even more popular. Today, Nestle still uses Wakefield’s recipe on their chocolate morsels. This keeps the Toll House cookie as a favorite American treat.
“The chocolate chip cookie was invented in 1938 by Ruth Graves Wakefield at the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts.”
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Toll House Cookies
To make the classic Nestle Toll House Cookies, you need a few key ingredients. You’ll need all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Also, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, eggs, and Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels are must-haves. Over the years, some recipes have added water to change the texture and taste.
Getting the measurements right is key to making the perfect cookie. For example, the flour amount can change the cookie’s texture. Nestle suggests using 281 grams of flour for 2 1/4 cups. They also recommend adding 1-2 tablespoons more if you don’t use nuts.
To get the right texture, bakers have tried different methods. Some add more flour, use shortening instead of butter, or chill the dough. The author suggests using 312 grams of flour, with 297 grams plus 2 tablespoons for the best results.
- Flour: 281 grams
- Baking soda: 4.6 grams
- Salt: 6 grams
- Butter: 227 grams
- Granulated sugar: 150 grams
- Brown sugar: 165 grams
- Vanilla extract: 4.2 grams
- Large eggs: 100 grams
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: 340 grams
- Chopped nuts (optional): 117 grams
Knowing the right ingredients and their exact amounts helps bakers make the perfect toll house cookies. They will have a great mix of flavors and textures.
The Classic Nestle Toll House Cookie Recipe
Get ready to enjoy the timeless Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie. This recipe has been loved for generations. It’s known for its rich flavor and chewy texture. Here’s how to make these delicious cookies at home.
Precise Ingredient Measurements
To make the perfect Nestle Toll House cookie, you’ll need:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups Nestle Toll House semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Step-by-Step Mixing Instructions
Here’s how to make the perfect Nestle Toll House cookies:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and both sugars until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the vanilla extract and then the eggs, one at a time, until well incorporated.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in the Nestle Toll House semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped nuts, if desired.
Baking Temperature and Timing
Bake the cookies at 375°F (190°C) for 9 to 11 minutes. They should have golden edges and soft centers. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy the classic Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe. It’s a timeless treat that will please everyone. With the right ingredients and technique, you’ll make cookies that are a favorite in your home.
The Secret Role of Water in Cookie Texture
Adding a small amount of water to your chocolate chip cookie dough can change everything. It might seem strange, but water in cookie recipes can make your cookies go from soft and chewy to crisp and wafer-like.
The original Toll House cookie recipe, from the 1930s, included a quarter teaspoon of water per cup of flour. This tiny ingredient helped mix the dough well. It also made the cookies rise better and gave them a crinkled look.
Years later, the Toll House recipe changed, and water was often left out. But today, bakers are adding water back in. For example, Sarah Kieffer’s “Pan Banging” cookies use a full teaspoon of water per cup of flour. This makes them super thin and crispy.
How much water you add can make a big difference in the chocolate chip cookie texture. Adding 1/4 teaspoon of water per cup of flour can make the cookies slightly crisper. But adding a full teaspoon can make them wafer-like. This is especially true for recipes with shortening, as water helps mix the ingredients well.
Water Addition | Resulting Texture |
---|---|
1/4 teaspoon per cup of flour | Slightly crisper cookie |
1 teaspoon per cup of flour | Ultra-thin, wafer-like texture |
Knowing how water affects cookie texture can open up new possibilities for bakers. Whether you like your cookies soft and chewy or crisp and wafer-like, adding water can help you get there.
Converting Measurements: Weight vs. Volume for Better Results
When baking Nestle Toll House Cookies, precision is crucial. The original recipe uses cups and tablespoons. But, switching to weight measurements can greatly improve your results. Using a digital kitchen scale for weight measurements ensures consistent proportions.
This helps you get the perfect cookie texture every time.
Gram Measurements for Accuracy
For the Nestle Toll House Cookie recipe, the key ingredient measurements by weight are:
- 280g all-purpose flour
- 226g unsalted butter
- 150g granulated sugar
- 165g brown sugar
- 340g semisweet chocolate chips
Kitchen Scale Benefits
Using a kitchen scale for baking makes the process easier. It removes the guesswork from measuring. With a scale, you can quickly and accurately weigh each ingredient.
This ensures the right baking measurements are used. This attention to detail can significantly improve the texture and consistency of your Toll House cookies.
By switching from volume to weight measurements, you’ll get more reliable and consistent results. This allows you to perfect the classic Nestle Toll House Cookie recipe in your own kitchen.
Mastering the Cookie Dough Preparation
Getting your cookie dough right is key to baking amazing chocolate chip cookies. Start by softening the unsalted butter at room temperature for 30-60 minutes. This makes the butter perfect for mixing with sugars.
Next, mix the softened butter with granulated sugar and dark brown sugar until smooth. Add the large egg yolk one at a time, beating well after each addition. This ensures the egg is evenly mixed into the dough.
- Mix in the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and a pinch of salt gradually. Don’t overmix, as it can make the cookies tough.
- Use a spatula to gently fold in the dark chocolate chunks or chopped high-quality chocolate. Make sure the chocolate is in bite-sized pieces for the best texture.
- For even cookies, use a rounded tablespoon or a cookie scoop to drop the dough. Leave about 2 inches of space between each cookie on the baking sheets.
Ingredient | Quantity |
---|---|
Unsalted Butter | ¼ cup (56g) |
Granulated Sugar | ¼ cup (50g) |
Dark Brown Sugar | ¼ cup (55g) |
Large Egg Yolk | 1 |
All-Purpose Flour | ½ cup plus 2 tbsp (90g) |
Dark Chocolate Chunks | ⅔ cup (100g) |
By following these steps, your cookie dough will be ready for delicious, soft, and chewy chocolate chip cookies. Enjoy making these classic treats!
Professional Baking Techniques and Tips
Take your cookie baking to the next level with these expert tips. Softened butter is key for the right texture. It should keep its shape when pressed.
Using an electric mixer for butter and sugar is a must. It mixes everything evenly. Mix dry ingredients slowly to avoid tough cookies.
A cookie scoop makes baking easier and faster. It ensures all cookies are the same size. Let them cool on the sheet for 2 minutes before moving to a wire rack.
Proper Butter Temperature
The butter’s temperature is crucial for great cookies. It should be soft but still hold its shape. Press on it to check.
Mixing Methods
Beat butter and sugars with an electric mixer for the best mix. This makes sure everything is well combined. Mix dry ingredients slowly to avoid tough cookies.
Cookie Scoop Usage
A cookie scoop is a game-changer for baking. It makes all cookies the same size. This looks professional and bakes evenly.
“Baking is like washing dishes, you just have to practice and play around until you get it right.” – Vinita Boppana
Storage Solutions and Freezing Methods
Enjoying freshly baked Nestle Toll House chocolate chip cookies is a joy. But what about enjoying them later? Don’t worry, there are ways to store and keep your treats for later.
Baked cookies can stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for 4-5 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 2 months. Just put them in a freezer-safe bag or container and seal it well to avoid freezer burn.
What about the cookie dough? You can freeze that too! Scoop the dough into portions and put them on a baking sheet. Once they’re frozen, move them to a freezer-safe bag or container. This lets you bake fresh cookies whenever you want. Just thaw the dough for 1-2 hours before baking, or bake for a bit longer.
Got leftover baked cookies? Reheat them in the oven easily. Place them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 3-5 minutes. They’ll be warm and crispy on the outside.
With these storage and freezing tips, you can enjoy Nestle Toll House cookies for weeks. Bake a batch and enjoy the sweetness whenever you feel like it!
Modern Variations of the Classic Recipe
The Nestle Toll House chocolate chip cookie recipe has inspired many variations. Bakers have made gluten-free versions and added unique flavors. This shows how versatile this classic recipe is.
Want chewier cookies? Try adding an extra egg yolk or more brown sugar. Some even use miso paste for a surprising umami taste. For crisp cookies, try the pan-banging method for beautiful edges.
Looking to make the recipe your own? The Toll House cookie is perfect. It keeps the original’s charm but lets you explore new flavors. This makes it a favorite for many.
FAQ
What is the Nestle Toll House Cookie recipe?
How did the Toll House Cookies come to be?
What are the key ingredients in the classic Nestle Toll House Cookie recipe?
What are the precise measurements for the Nestle Toll House Cookie recipe?
How does the addition of water affect cookie texture?
What are the benefits of converting recipe measurements to weight (grams)?
What are some professional baking techniques for perfect Toll House Cookies?
How can Toll House Cookies be stored and frozen?
What are some modern variations of the classic Toll House recipe?
Source Links
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- This Retro Toll House Cookie Recipe Calls for a Secret Ingredient – https://www.simplyrecipes.com/tollhouse-cookie-secret-ingredient-8651507
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