Nestle Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe (1939 Original)

There’s a good chance you’ve got a bag of Nestlé Toll House chocolate chips in your pantry right now, and if you’re like most bakers, you’ve probably glanced at the recipe on the back and wondered if it’s really the same one that started it all. It is, and this guide goes beyond the back of the bag, tracing the recipe back to Ruth Wakefield’s 1939 creation and showing you how to scale it, convert it to metric, and tweak it for softer cookies.

Prep Time: 15 minutes ·
Cook Time: 9-11 minutes ·
Total Time: 30 minutes ·
Yield: 5 dozen cookies (60) ·
Baking Temperature: 375°F (190°C) ·
Number of Ingredients: 9

Here are the key facts about the original Toll House recipe.

What is the original Toll House cookie recipe from 1939?

The recipe that launched a million bake sales is remarkably simple: 9 ingredients, one bowl, and a baking sheet. Ruth Wakefield, owner of the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts, created it in 1939 when she added chopped chocolate to her butter cookie dough. The result became America’s favorite cookie.

What ingredients are in the original recipe?

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (Very Best Baking / Nestlé)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda (Very Best Baking / Nestlé)
• 1 teaspoon salt (Very Best Baking / Nestlé)
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened (Very Best Baking / Nestlé)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar (Very Best Baking / Nestlé)
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar (Very Best Baking / Nestlé)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (Very Best Baking / Nestlé)
• 2 large eggs (Very Best Baking / Nestlé)
• 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) Nestlé Toll House semi-sweet chocolate morsels (Very Best Baking / Nestlé)
• 1 cup chopped nuts (optional) (Very Best Baking / Nestlé)

How did the recipe originate?

According to Nestlé’s official story, Wakefield ran out of baker’s chocolate and substituted a chopped Nestlé chocolate bar, expecting it to melt. Instead, the chunks held their shape, creating the chip cookie we know today. The story, however, is sometimes disputed; some sources suggest she deliberately added the chocolate pieces. Regardless, Nestlé quickly saw the potential and signed a deal to print the recipe on every package of its chocolate chips. The recipe has remained essentially unchanged since 1939. (Nestlé Global)

The implication: The original recipe’s simplicity is its enduring strength.

What is the Nestle Toll House cookie recipe in grams?

Bakers who prefer weighing ingredients over measuring cups need reliable conversions. The official Nestlé recipe uses volume, but several editorial sources have published gram equivalents. The numbers vary because measuring methods differ, but here’s the most consistent conversion.

How to convert cups to grams?

For home bakers, the golden rule is to use a kitchen scale. Standard conversions for this recipe are:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour = 125 grams (source varies; two editorial sources give 312g and 342g for 2 1/4 cups) (The First Year Blog, Cookies for Days)
• 1 cup butter = 227 grams (ClipDish)
• 1 cup granulated sugar = 200 grams (ClipDish)
• 1 cup brown sugar = 220 grams (ClipDish)

A common full-recipe metric conversion: 281g flour, 227g butter, 150g granulated sugar, 165g brown sugar, 2 eggs, 340g chocolate chips. (ClipDish)

What is the half recipe in grams?

For a smaller batch, Nestlé’s official small-batch recipe uses volume, but the metric equivalent is roughly: 140g flour, 113g butter, 75g granulated sugar, 80g brown sugar, 1 egg, 170g chips. (Very Best Baking / Nestlé)

The catch: Metric conversions are not standardized, so bakers must choose a consistent method.

How do you make soft Toll House chocolate chip cookies?

If crisp edges aren’t your thing, a few tweaks to the classic recipe will give you a softer, chewier cookie without losing the Toll House identity. These adjustments are backed by baking science.

What changes make cookies softer?

• Use melted butter instead of softened for a chewier texture (Very Best Baking / Nestlé)
• Add an extra egg yolk for more moisture
• Swap half the chocolate chips for milk chocolate chips
• Replace 1/4 cup of the flour with 2 tablespoons cornstarch for tenderness

How to adjust baking time and temperature?

Baking at a lower temperature for a longer time can yield softer cookies. Nestlé’s small-batch recipe bakes at 350°F for 11-13 minutes, compared to 375°F for 9-11 minutes for the standard batch. (Very Best Baking / Nestlé) The lower heat allows the center to set before the edges over-brown. Chilling the dough for 30 minutes also reduces spread, keeping the cookie thicker and softer.

The pattern: Small adjustments to fat, moisture, and temperature allow control over texture.

What is the chocolate chip recipe on the back of the bag?

If you’ve flipped over a bag of Nestlé Toll House morsels, you’ve seen the classic recipe. It’s the same one Ruth Wakefield created, and it includes clear directions for the home baker.

Is the bag recipe the same as the original?

Yes. Nestlé has confirmed that the recipe printed on the back of the bag is identical to the original Toll House recipe from 1939. The ingredient list and proportions are exactly the same. (Very Best Baking / Nestlé)

How to read the recipe on the back of Nestle chocolate chips?

The bag recipe lists ingredients in both cups and gram weights (on some packages). It also includes the note: “If nuts are omitted, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour.” (Nestlé Global) The instructions say to use a rounded tablespoon for scooping dough, creating consistent cookies.

What is the best chocolate chip cookies recipe?

The “best” recipe often depends on texture preference, but the Toll House original consistently ranks as the gold standard. It balances crisp edges with a soft center, and it’s endlessly adaptable.

What makes a chocolate chip cookie recipe the best?

A great recipe delivers a consistent result: golden edges, tender center, and evenly distributed chocolate. The Toll House recipe achieves this through the right ratio of butter to sugar to flour, with brown sugar providing moisture and granulated sugar driving spread.

How does the Toll House recipe compare to others?

Many popular variations exist (adding pudding mix, using brown butter, incorporating extra yolks), but the original remains the foundation. For serious bakers, the recipe’s simplicity is its strength: it’s easy to customize without breaking the formula.

Step-by-step instructions for the classic Nestle Toll House cookies

Here is the official method from Nestlé’s Very Best Baking site, worded for clarity.

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl.
3. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in a large mixer bowl until creamy.
4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each.
5. Gradually beat in flour mixture.
6. Stir in chocolate morsels and nuts (if using).
7. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
8. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown.
9. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Quotes from the sources

“Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown.”

Very Best Baking / Nestlé

“If nuts are omitted, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour.”

Nestlé Global

These quotes confirm the official instructions and variations.

For the home baker reaching for that yellow bag, the choice is clear: stick with the original 9-ingredient formula for a classic that’s been working for 80 years, or experiment with a few tweaks for a softer, chewier cookie. The recipe on the back of the bag isn’t just a relic—it’s a starting point for your own perfect batch.

For those who prefer a tried-and-true classic, the original Toll House recipe is virtually identical to the 1939 Nestle version.

Frequently asked questions

These FAQs address common baking issues and adjustments.

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