National Chocolate Chip Day – May 15

Break out the baking sheets and pour a glass of milk – it’s National Chocolate Chip Day 2025! Celebrated on May 15, this day honors the small but mighty ingredient that revolutionized dessert as we know it. Surprisingly, the chocolate chip wasn’t even invented until the late 1930s, and it came about by accident. Legend has it that Ruth Graves Wakefield, owner of the Toll House Inn in Massachusetts, ran out of baker’s chocolate while making cookies and substituted chopped semi-sweet chocolate, expecting it to melt. Instead, the pieces held their shape, and the chocolate chip cookie was born. The cookie became an overnight sensation – so much so that by 1940 Nestlé was marketing chocolate chips (or “morsels”) specifically for baking. In the decades since, these tiny cocoa morsels have found their way into countless recipes and hearts. Massachusetts even named the chocolate chip cookie its official state cookie in 1997.

Nostalgia is a big part of National Chocolate Chip Day. For many of us, just the aroma of cookies baking transports us back to grandma’s kitchen or after-school snacks. But chocolate chips are more than just cookies – they’re a symbol of comfort and creativity in the kitchen. From pancakes dotted with mini chips to velvety chocolate chip ice cream, these versatile bits of chocolate make everything more delicious. It’s hard to find a dessert that hasn’t welcomed the chocolate chip: brownies, muffins, trail mix, even granola bars have all embraced this sweet invention. And while the original chip was semisweet, today you can bake with milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, or even caramel chips, allowing endless variations on classic recipes.

Fun and Creative Ways to Celebrate

• Bake the Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies: Stick with the original Toll House recipe or customize with flaky sea salt, nuts, or different types of chips. A bake-off makes it even more fun.
• Chocolate for Every Meal: Try chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast, granola bars for lunch, and a savory mole sauce at dinner. Dessert? More chocolate, of course.
• Giant Cookie or Cookie Cake: Make a giant chocolate chip cookie to decorate and share. It’s fun, photogenic, and undeniably tasty.
• Get Artsy with Chips: Use chocolate chips to make edible art. Great for kids – and just as fun for adults.
• Ice Cream Social: Host a sundae bar or make homemade chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. A scoop of that is pure bliss.
• Social Media Bake-along: Share recipes or baking videos with the hashtag #NationalChocolateChipDay and challenge others to join in.

Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipes for National Chocolate Chip Day

• The Original Toll House Cookie: This timeless recipe has crunchy edges, chewy centers, and a legacy that started it all. It’s printed on every Nestlé chocolate chip bag for good reason.
• The New York Times “Perfect” Cookie: A cult favorite, this recipe uses bread and cake flour and requires dough chilling for superior texture and flavor. It’s worth the wait.
• Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies: Why stop at one kind of chocolate? Combine semisweet, milk, and white chocolate chips for an indulgent cookie that’s rich, gooey, and irresistible. Perfect for serious chocolate lovers and bake sales alike.
• Chewy vs. Crunchy Experiment: Tweak sugar ratios or chilling times to discover your perfect cookie style. Half chewy, half crispy – now that’s a sweet experiment!
• Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies: Short on time? Try making a small batch of cookies in the air fryer. It’s quick, efficient, and great for satisfying those spontaneous cookie cravings without heating up the whole kitchen.

Of course, the “best” recipe is a matter of taste. The important part is sharing the joy of cookies together. Don’t stop at cookies – whip up chocolate chip muffins, banana bread, or gooey brownies. They all count!

Chocolate Chip Essentials for Your Pantry and Kitchen

• Quality Chocolate Chips: Brands like Ghirardelli and Guittard make premium chips. Try minis, chunks, or specialty flavors for variety.
• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: A stand mixer like KitchenAid is great for frequent bakers. Hand mixers are ideal for tight budgets or small kitchens.
• Baking Sheets and Mats: Heavy-duty baking sheets and silicone mats ensure even baking and easy cleanup.
• Cookie Scoop: Achieve bakery-perfect cookies with a spring-loaded scoop. Consistent size means consistent baking.
• Cooling Racks: Let your cookies cool evenly and stay crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside.
• Airtight Containers: Store cookies with a slice of bread to keep them soft, or use airtight jars to maintain crisp edges.

Armed with these tools and ingredients, you’re all set for a cookie-filled celebration. And if you find yourself eating chips straight from the bag? You’re in good company – surveys say it’s a common (and delicious) habit!

Celebrating with Savings: Offers on Chocolate Chip Day

While specific promotions for National Chocolate Chip Day on May 15, 2025, have yet to be announced, past celebrations have featured a variety of sweet deals from bakeries, restaurants, and retailers. Here are some examples of offers that have been available in previous years:

• Free Cookies: Some establishments have offered complimentary chocolate chip cookies to customers who visit their locations on National Chocolate Chip Day.
• Buy-One-Get-One (BOGO) Deals: Certain bakeries and cookie shops have provided BOGO promotions, allowing customers to enjoy an extra treat at no additional cost.
• Discounted Cookie Cakes: Special discounts on chocolate chip cookie cakes have been a popular promotion, perfect for sharing with friends and family.
• Online Promo Codes: Retailers have occasionally offered online discount codes for chocolate chip cookies and related products, making it easy to celebrate from home.
• Special Menu Items: Some restaurants have introduced limited-time menu items featuring chocolate chips, such as chocolate chip pancakes or desserts.

Please note that these promotions were offered in previous years, and availability may vary by location and participating businesses. To stay informed about potential deals for this year’s National Chocolate Chip Day, consider following your favorite local bakeries, restaurants, and retailers on social media or subscribing to their newsletters.

Whether or not specific promotions are available, National Chocolate Chip Day is a delightful opportunity to indulge in your favorite chocolate chip treats and perhaps even try a new recipe at home.

National Chocolate Chip Day Dates

Year	Date	Day of the Week
2025	May 15, 2025	Thursday
2026	May 15, 2026	Friday
2027	May 15, 2027	Saturday
2028	May 15, 2028	Monday
2029	May 15, 2029	Tuesday

On National Chocolate Chip Day, indulge in the sweet joy these tiny morsels bring. Bake, share, and smile. After all, chocolate chips were a happy accident – and today, they deliver happiness on purpose. Whether you’re baking a family favorite or experimenting with new treats, this is a day to celebrate creativity, comfort, and cocoa.

And the delicious fun doesn’t stop there—May is packed with more foodie favorites. Get ready to fire up the grill for National BBQ Day on May 16, a perfect excuse to balance all that sweetness with something savory. Looking for a toast-worthy celebration? Don’t miss National Wine Day on May 25, ideal for pairing with everything from charcuterie to chocolate chip desserts.

LoveFoodFeed will be covering these and more with fresh recipes, creative ideas, and tips to help you celebrate every bite. So stay tuned—and treat yourself to the next tasty holiday!