Chip off the 'Whole' Block

Whole block of chocolate, that is! Chip, chip, chip away...the result—those tantalizing little morsels we all love so well, especially in the cookie. Today, buy a bagful, nibble all day or bake away for...

Today is...

National Chocolate Chip Day

Chocolate chips are so-o-o-o-o versatile! The original decadent little morsels, still available today, are made of semi-sweet chocolate. They have come a long way from their first inception now being available in many different flavors: bittersweet chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, mint chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, and white & dark swirled chocolate chips. They are an essential ingredient in dozens upon dozens of delicious recipes—chocolate chip cookies, chocolate chip pancakes, chocolate chip muffins, chocolate chip brownies, chocolate chip bagels, chocolate chip cake, and so many more. You can even find chili recipes that call for these sweet little morsels! Of course, they hold their own as a quick chocolate snack!

In the 1930s, Ruth Graves Wakefield created the original chocolate chip cookie at her Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts. Ruth intended to bake chocolate cookies for her guests, but she ran out of baker’s chocolate. She substituted chopped up semi-sweet chocolate morsels and discovered that the pieces did not melt into the dough as she expected. Her cookies were an instant hit. Today, 25% of all the cookies baked in the United States are chocolate chip!

 TIP: Be sure to sift the salt, baking powder & baking soda
with the flour lest you forget one of the ingredients.

To celebrate National Chocolate Chip Day, pick up a bag of chocolate chips at the supermarket and bake something yummy to share with friends and coworkers! Decorate by arranging the chocolate chips in smiley faces and other patterns. If you have children, making cookies is a really easy and fun way to celebrate. Maybe even set aside some of the chocolate chip cookie dough for mixing into vanilla ice cream.

Get into the National Chocolate Chip Day spirit starting with breakfast or brunch...

Recipe of the Day: Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

yum, yum, yum . . . yummy!

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