Ultimate Nestlé Toll House Cookie Recipe: Perfectly Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Introduction
Nothing beats the classic taste of a homemade Nestlé Toll House cookie! With its crispy edges, gooey center, and rich chocolate flavor, the Toll House chocolate chip cookie has become a nostalgic favorite for generations. This recipe holds a special place in many households, known for its perfectly balanced sweetness and satisfying texture. In this post, we’ll walk through every step of crafting the iconic Nestlé Toll House cookie recipe from scratch, sharing tips and answers to common questions along the way.
With this detailed guide, you’ll have all the insights to create a batch of cookies that will impress family and friends. Get ready to fill your kitchen with the sweet aroma of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies that are perfect for any occasion.
Table of Contents
Recipe Card
Nestlé Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
|---|---|
| Cook Time | 10 minutes per batch |
| Total Time | 25 minutes |
| Servings | 24 cookies |
| Yield | 2 dozen cookies |
| Calories | 110 per cookie |
Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 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:
- Prepare the Oven and Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt, stirring well to blend. Set this dry mixture aside.
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and velvety. Mixing with an electric mixer should take roughly 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Combine: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition. Slowly mix in the flour mixture, ensuring it’s fully blended into the dough.
- Add Chocolate Chips and Nuts: Gently incorporate the Nestlé Toll House semi-sweet chocolate chips and, if desired, the nuts, folding them into the dough. Stir until they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Bake: Scoop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto ungreased baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
Notes:
- For Softer Cookies: Shorten the baking time a bit and take the cookies out of the oven as soon as the edges turn golden, while the center still looks a little soft.
- To Freeze Dough: Shape the dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet to freeze. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Bake straight from frozen, simply adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrition Information | Per Serving (1 Cookie) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 110 |
| Sugar | 12g |
| Sodium | 95mg |
| Fat | 5g |
| Saturated Fat | 3g |
| Unsaturated Fat | 1g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Carbohydrates | 15g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Protein | 2g |
| Cholesterol | 15mg |
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple and Timeless: This recipe is straightforward, with minimal ingredients and steps, making it easy for beginners.
- Classic Flavor: With the perfect balance of buttery dough and semi-sweet chocolate chips, it’s the ultimate chocolate chip cookie experience.
- Perfect Texture: These cookies have a golden-brown edge with a chewy center – just the right texture for chocolate chip cookies.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
- Butter: Unsalted butter is ideal as it allows control over salt content. If using salted butter, reduce the added salt by half.
- Sugars: A combination of granulated and brown sugar gives these cookies their classic taste and chewy texture. Light brown sugar is preferred, but dark brown sugar adds a deeper molasses flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: A high-quality vanilla extract elevates the flavor of the dough, so opt for pure vanilla extract if possible.
- Chocolate Chips: Nestlé Toll House semi-sweet chocolate chips are recommended for that authentic flavor, but feel free to experiment with milk or dark chocolate chips.
- Nuts: Chopped walnuts or pecans add a pleasant crunch but are optional.
How to Make Nestlé Toll House Cookies (Step-by-Step)
1. Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mixing the dry ingredients separately ensures even distribution when combined with the wet ingredients.
2. Cream Butter and Sugars: Beat softened butter with granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Creaming the butter and sugars properly is key for a light, fluffy texture.
3. Add Eggs: Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to ensure they’re fully incorporated.
4. Fold in Chocolate Chips and Nuts: Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts, if using, until evenly distributed in the dough.
5. Bake: Drop rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets and bake at 375°F for 9-11 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Expert Tips for Success
- Room Temperature Butter: Using softened butter (not melted) helps create the ideal dough texture.
- Chill the Dough: For extra-thick cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
- Measure Flour Correctly: Adding too much flour can result in dry cookies. To prevent this, use the spoon-and-level technique to ensure you’re not over-packing the flour into the measuring cup.
- Bake in Batches: For even baking, be sure to rotate the pans halfway through if you’re baking more than one sheet at a time.
Variations and Customizations
- Add Sea Salt: Add a pinch of sea salt on top of each cookie before baking to enhance the sweet and salty flavor balance.
- Experiment with Different Chips: Try white chocolate, dark chocolate, or butterscotch chips to mix things up.
- Nut-Free Option: Omit the nuts entirely for a classic chocolate chip cookie without the crunch.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Storing Cookies: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- Freezing Dough: Shape dough into balls, freeze on a baking sheet, then store in a zip-top bag. You can bake these cookies straight from the freezer; just be sure to extend the baking time by a few minutes.
- Reheating Cookies: For a just-baked sensation, pop your cookies in the microwave for 5-10 seconds.
Serving Suggestions
- With a Glass of Milk: Classic and comforting, milk is the ideal pairing for chocolate chip cookies.
- Ice Cream Sandwiches: Make ice cream sandwiches by layering ice cream between two cookies.
- Crumbled Over Ice Cream: Break cookies into chunks and sprinkle over a bowl of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How can I make my Toll House cookies chewier?
A: To make chewier cookies, increase the ratio of brown sugar to granulated sugar and bake for the minimum recommended time, ensuring the centers stay soft.
Q: Can I substitute baking powder for baking soda in this recipe?
A: Baking powder will not yield the same chewy texture as baking soda, which is essential for Toll House cookies. It’s best to use baking soda.
Q: Why did my cookies spread too much?
A: Too-soft butter or overmixing can cause excess spreading. Try chilling the dough before baking to help control the spread.
Q: Can I use margarine instead of butter?
A: While you can use margarine, the flavor and texture may differ slightly. Butter provides the best results for Toll House cookies.
Related Recipes You’ll Also Love
- Classic Snickerdoodle Cookies: If you love chewy cookies with a hint of cinnamon, these snickerdoodles are a must-try.
- Double Chocolate Chip Cookies: For serious chocolate lovers, these cookies double up on chocolate flavor with both cocoa powder and chocolate chips.
- White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies: A deliciously sweet and nutty alternative to classic chocolate chip cookies.
Conclusion
Baking a batch of Nestlé Toll House cookies is a delicious way to bring a timeless classic into your kitchen. With its delightful mix of textures and rich chocolate taste, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your household. Whether you enjoy them fresh from the oven or make them in advance to share with loved ones, these cookies are guaranteed to be a hit. So go ahead, give this Nestlé Toll House cookie recipe a try, and share your results with #BeesRecipes on Instagram!