National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day celebrates America’s beloved sweet treat that has become a global sensation. This delicious observance honors both the cookie itself and its accidental inventor, Ruth Graves Wakefield.
Quick Facts
- When is it: August 4th annually
- Tagged as: Food Holiday
- What’s the hashtag: #ChocolateChipCookieDay
- When was it founded: 1938
- Who founded it: Ruth Graves Wakefield
History
The chocolate chip cookie was created by accident at the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts. Ruth Graves Wakefield, while making regular chocolate cookies, decided to add chopped pieces of chocolate to her cookie dough. To her surprise, the chocolate didn’t melt completely, creating the first-ever chocolate chip cookies. Nestle later bought her recipe in exchange for a lifetime supply of chocolate.
Timeline
1938 – First chocolate chip cookie created
1939 – Recipe sold to Nestle
1941 – Nestle begins producing chocolate chips
1963 – Chips Ahoy! launches commercially
1997 – Massachusetts declares it the official state cookie
Dates for Next Years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Aug 4 | Monday |
| 2026 | Aug 4 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | Aug 4 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | Aug 4 | Friday |
| 2029 | Aug 4 | Saturday |
How It’s Observed
People celebrate by baking homemade cookies, visiting local bakeries, hosting cookie exchanges, or simply enjoying their favorite chocolate chip cookies with a glass of cold milk.
Fun Facts About Chocolate Chip Cookies
- The world’s largest chocolate chip cookie weighed 38,000 pounds
- Americans consume about 7 billion chocolate chip cookies annually
- 53% of Americans prefer chocolate chip cookies over other varieties
- The average tablespoon of cookie dough can hold 50 chocolate chips
Quiz
- Who invented the chocolate chip cookie?
- What was the original name of the cookie?
- What did Ruth Wakefield receive in exchange for her recipe?
(Answers: 1. Ruth Graves Wakefield, 2. Toll House Cookie, 3. Lifetime supply of chocolate)
FAQs
Q: How long do chocolate chip cookies last?
A: 2-3 days on counter, 2 months in refrigerator, 8-12 months in freezer
Q: Can you freeze chocolate chip cookies?
A: Yes, they can last up to a year when frozen
Importance of the Day
This day celebrates culinary innovation, preserves an important piece of American food history, and brings people together through the shared love of this classic treat.
Related Days
- World Baking Day
- National Cookie Day
- National Peanut Butter Cookie Day
- National S’mores Day
- National Dessert Day