National Chocolate Chip Day

May 14th is National Chocolate Chip Day. Where would we be without chocolate chips, those little morsels of yumminess perfect for so many fabulous treats. From muffins, to cakes, to cookies to an ice cream topping these little guys can do it all. While chocolate has been around for many years, the idea of the chip was only invented in the 1930’s. Ruth Graves Wakefield at her Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts, was going to cook chocolate cookies for her guests, but she ran out of baker’s chocolate. When she substituted chopped up semi-sweet chocolate bits for the baker’s chocolate, Ruth discovered that the bits did not melt into the dough as baker’s chocolate does, the chocolate chip cookie was born and so was chocolate chips.

Approximately 25 percent of the cookies baked in the United States today are chocolate chip cookies. We have found the best chocolate chips at Trader Joe’s they are kosher and parve and about 55% cacao. Another great option is the Whole Foods 365 brand. To get up to the preferred 70% cacao Whole Foods sells parve chocolate chunks. In addition to using them in cookies and cake etc. where they retain their shape, they do also melt well, since they are all the same size there is less risk of burning when making chocolate dipped strawberries or pretzels for example.

To celebrate National Chocolate Chip Day, pick up a bag and bake here are some great ways to use chocolate chips.