Chocolate Chip Cookies Were Invented At Toll House Inn Massachusetts

Chocolate chip cookies have been around forever, right? Actually, they were invented in Massachusetts less than 100 years ago.

The Toll House Inn in Whitman was the birthplace of chocolate chip cookies. Here’s the full story behind the advent of America’s favorite cookie.

The Toll House Inn was opened in 1930 by Ruth and Kenneth Graves Wakefield. The inn operated out of a building that was erected in 1817.

Getty/Karl Tapales

Ruth Wakefield cooked all the food that was served at the inn. In 1936, she baked a batch of her popular butter drop cookies with semi-sweet Nestlé chocolate chips.

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The new dessert was an instant success with customers. The Wakefields got in touch with Nestlé and brokered a unique deal.

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In exchange for a lifetime supply of chocolate for Ruth Wakefield, the couple would allow Nestlé to print her chocolate chip cookie recipe on the packaging of all their semi-sweet chocolate bars.

Flickr/Dave Dougdale

Although chocolate chip cookies can now be found around the globe, Nestlé still prints Wakefield’s original cookie recipe on their chocolate chip packaging.

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Sadly, the original Toll House Inn burned down in 1984. The site is now home to a Walgreens pharmacy and a Wendy’s restaurant.

Wikimedia Commons/magicpiano However, you can still stop by and check out the historical marker detailing the history of the spot and the invention of chocolate chip cookies. Interestingly, the sign incorrectly lists the building’s construction date as 1709.

The story of the invention of chocolate chip cookies just proves that all the best things really do come from Massachusetts.

Getty/Robert Lowdon

You can find the Toll House Inn historical marker at 362 Bedford Street, Whitman, MA.

Getty/Karl Tapales

Getty/Enrique Díaz / 7cero

Getty/Sarah Showalter

Flickr/Dave Dougdale

Getty/Ryan Cutler / EyeEm

Wikimedia Commons/magicpiano

However, you can still stop by and check out the historical marker detailing the history of the spot and the invention of chocolate chip cookies. Interestingly, the sign incorrectly lists the building’s construction date as 1709.

Getty/Robert Lowdon

Did you know about this fascinating story? Have any delicious chocolate chip cookie recipes to share? Leave your comments and thoughts in the comments below!

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Address: 370-382 Bedford St, Whitman, MA 02382, USA