Summary
Ah, the Toll House cookie. A timeless classic, packed with nostalgia and an irresistible chocolate chip crunch. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a cozy weekend treat, or just because cookies make everything better, the Toll House cookie recipe is a must-have in any kitchen. But here’s the kicker: you don’t need to stop at just any old cookie.
The Original Toll House Cookie Recipe
The famous Toll House cookie recipe has been gracing kitchens since the 1930s, when Ruth Wakefield, the owner of the Toll House Inn, accidentally invented what we now know as the chocolate chip cookie. It’s a simple recipe, yet the balance of buttery dough and gooey chocolate is pure magic. Below, I’ll walk you through the steps of this iconic recipe, plus sprinkle in some tips and affiliate products that’ll make your cookies next level.
Essential Baking Tools and Ingredients to Elevate Your Cookies 🍰
Want to step up your Toll House cookie game? Below are a few must-haves for the perfect cookie batch.
OXO Good Grips Cookie Scoop
Say goodbye to uneven cookie sizes! This cookie scoop guarantees perfectly round and consistent cookies every single time. Its spring-loaded mechanism makes scooping dough a breeze.
Silpat Non-Stick Baking Mat
For flawless cookies with no sticking, a reusable Silpat mat is a game-changer. No more parchment paper waste, and your cookies slide right off with no fuss.
KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer
If you’re serious about your baking, a KitchenAid stand mixer is a must. This powerhouse not only makes creaming butter and sugar effortless but also ensures your dough is perfectly mixed every time.
Guittard Chocolate Chips
While Nestlé’s Toll House chips are a classic, using Guittard chocolate takes the flavor profile to a new height. These chips are luxuriously smooth, crafted from the finest premium cocoa beans.
Common Toll House Cookie Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them) 🎂
Even the best bakers run into issues from time to time. To ensure your Toll House cookies turn out perfect every time, here are some common mistakes to watch out for—and the best products to help you avoid them.
- Flat Cookies: If your cookies are spreading too thin, it could be due to overly warm butter. Make sure to soften, not melt, your butter. When you’re short on time, a butter crock is your go-to for keeping butter perfectly spreadable.
- Over-baking: The difference between soft, chewy cookies and crispy ones can come down to just 1 minute! A good oven thermometer will help ensure your oven’s temperature is accurate.
- Uneven Baking: Rotating your cookie sheet halfway through the bake time ensures even cooking, but using a quality baking sheet (like USA Pan) can make a huge difference in how your cookies bake.
Tips to Elevate Your Cookie Game
- Chill the Dough: Let your dough rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before baking. This helps the flavors meld and gives your cookies a chewier, more satisfying texture.
- For a deeper flavor, brown the butterbefore mixing it with the sugars. This adds a nutty, caramelized richness.
- If you like your cookies a bit thicker, try adding an extra tablespoon of flourto the dough.
Creative Toll House Cookie Variations to Try
While the classic Toll House cookie recipe is perfection on its own, sometimes a little twist can elevate your cookies to a whole new level. Here are some fun variations to try, so you can mix it up and surprise your cookie-loving friends and family.
1. Salted Caramel Toll House Cookies
Take the sweet and salty trend to your cookies by adding chunks of salted caramel to the dough or drizzling caramel sauce on top once baked. Pair this with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for that irresistible flavor balance.
2. Double Chocolate Chip
For the chocolate lovers out there, double up on the chocolate by replacing some of the flour with cocoa powder. This turns your classic Toll House cookies into a rich, chocolatey dream. Add white chocolate chips for a beautiful contrast.
3. Peanut Butter Toll House Cookies
Peanut butter adds a deliciously nutty twist to the Toll House recipe. Simply replace a portion of the butter with creamy peanut butter (about ½ cup), and you’ll have a soft, chewy cookie with a rich peanutty flavor.
4. Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Love oatmeal cookies? Try adding 1 cup of oats to your Toll House cookie dough for a heartier texture and added flavor. The chewiness of the oats combined with the chocolate chips makes for a truly satisfying bite.
Toll House Cookie Ingredient Substitutions for Dietary Needs
No one should miss out on the joy of Toll House cookies! Here are some ingredient swaps to accommodate different dietary preferences or restrictions, without sacrificing taste or texture.
Final Thoughts: Bake Like a Pro!
The Toll House cookie recipe is a classic that’s here to stay. With the right ingredients, tools, and a few pro tips up your sleeve, you can elevate your cookie-baking game in no time. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or a solo snack, these cookies will bring joy with every bite. Ready to bake? Be sure to check out the affiliate links sprinkled throughout this post to grab the best products for your cookie-baking adventure. Your tastebuds – and your kitchen – will thank you!
Toll House cookie
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls You’ll need a set of mixing bowls in various sizes to hold your dry and wet ingredients separately before combining them.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons Accuracy is key in baking, so a set of measuring cups for dry ingredients and a liquid measuring cup are essential.
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer For creaming the butter and sugars, a stand mixer or hand mixer is ideal. It makes mixing the dough faster and ensures a smooth, consistent texture.
- Silicone Spatula A flexible silicone spatula is perfect for scraping down the sides of the bowl and folding in chocolate chips or nuts.
- Baking Sheets You’ll need sturdy, flat baking sheets to bake your cookies evenly. Non-stick or aluminum pans are best, but make sure they’re not too thin, as that can lead to uneven baking.
- Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat Lining your baking sheets with parchment paper or a reusable silicone baking mat prevents cookies from sticking and helps them bake evenly.
- Cookie Scoop A cookie scoop ensures uniform cookie sizes, which helps with even baking. Plus, it’s quicker than shaping the dough by hand.
- Cooling Rack After baking, it’s important to transfer the cookies to a cooling rack. This allows air to circulate, preventing the bottoms from becoming soggy.
- Oven Thermometer To ensure your cookies bake at the correct temperature, an oven thermometer is useful. Ovens can sometimes be off by a few degrees, which can make a big difference in baking.
- Spatula or Cookie Turner A flat spatula or cookie turner is necessary to lift cookies off the baking sheet without breaking them.
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 sticks unsalted butter,
- cup ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups Nestlé Toll House semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your ovento 375°F (190°C).
- In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until creamy.
- Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Gradually mix in the flour mixture.
- Stir in the Toll House chocolate chips and nuts (if you like a little crunch).
- Drop dough by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
- Bakefor 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks.
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