Chip by Chip: Baking the Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie
Chocolate chip cookies are a timeless treat with global appeal, cherished across generations. Their simplicity makes them universally loved, while their versatility invites endless experimentation. Invented in 1938 by Ruth Wakefield at the Toll House Inn in Massachusetts, these cookies quickly rose to fame after Nestlé secured the rights to the recipe in 1939, turning them into a nationwide sensation. With their rich history and enduring popularity, chocolate chip cookies remain a symbol of comfort and togetherness.
Our goal is to honor the nostalgic flavors of the classic Toll House cookie while adding a unique twist by exploring how browning the butter impacts the flavor, texture, and spread of the cookies. We hypothesized that browned butter would enhance the flavor with nutty, caramelized notes, create a chewier texture, and slightly reduce the spread of the cookies. Through this experiment, we hope to blend tradition with innovation, crafting a cookie that captures both the past and the future of this dessert.
History
Publisher
Food-FueledNotes
Food-Fueled is an undergraduate research journal centered around food-related topics as an extension of American University’s RECIPES project. Funded by the National Science Foundation, RECIPES brings together over 40 researchers working at 15 institutions in order to advance the science needed to make our wasteful food system more sustainable, equitable, and resilient. Food-Fueled aims to publish works on food-related issues ranging from policy to food science, to personal narratives about the influence of food, nature, and agriculture. This work was supported by NSF Grant # 2115405 SRS RN: Multiscale RECIPES (Resilient, Equitable, and Circular Innovations with Partnership and Education Synergies) for Sustainable Food Systems. Findings and conclusions reported within Food-Fueled are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. All journal content can be found at the following website: https://edspace.american.edu/foodfueled/Usage metrics
