Nestlé Toll House Cookie Dough has been the cornerstone of countless family traditions, late-night baking sessions, and impromptu sweet treats.
Table of Contents
How to make Nestlé Toll House Cookie Dough
Nestlé Toll House Cookie Dough is a popular ready-to-bake refrigerated cookie dough sold in grocery stores.
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups (270g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks, 226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (160g) packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups (12-ounce bag) Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 1 cup chopped nuts (optional, such as walnuts or pecans)
Instructions for Making the Cookie Dough
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Preparing the oven in advance ensures it’s at the right temperature when it’s time to bake.
Step 2: In a small bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisk these dry ingredients together to ensure they are well distributed. Set aside.
Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer (on medium speed), beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is creamy and smooth. This step is crucial for achieving cookies with slightly crispy edges and soft centers.
Step 4: Add the eggs to the butter-sugar mixture, one at a time. Beat well after each addition until the mixture is fully incorporated.
Step 5: Slowly add the flour mixture (dry ingredients) into the wet mixture, continuing to mix on low until the dough is fully combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make your cookies tough instead of soft.
Step 6: Using a spatula, gently fold in the Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips. If you’re adding nuts, fold those in as well.
Step 7: Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto ungreased baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each scoop to allow for spreading as the cookies bake. For uniform cookies, you can use a cookie scoop.
Step 8: Place your baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the centers look slightly soft. Be careful not to overbake, as the cookies will continue to set as they cool.
Step 9: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes. Then, transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
Helpful Tips for Perfect Nestlé Toll House Cookies
- Measure Ingredients Accurately: Baking is a science, so precise measurements are key. Use a kitchen scale if possible, especially for flour, to avoid overpacking and creating dense Nestlé Toll House Cookie Dough.
- Soften Butter Properly: Softened butter should be at room temperature — not melted. This ensures proper creaming with the sugars, allowing for the right texture in your dough.
- Don’t Skip the Cooling Time: If the Nestlé Toll House Cookie Dough is too warm (e.g., from over-creaming the butter or mixing), your cookies may spread too much. For extra-thick cookies, try chilling your dough for 30 minutes to an hour before baking.
- Customizing the Texture: If you prefer crispier Nestlé Toll House Cookie Dough, bake them a bit longer, around 11–12 minutes.
- For chewier cookies, keep the baking time closer to 9 minutes and allow the cookies to set after removing them from the oven.
- Make-Ahead Option: You can refrigerate the dough for up to 1–2 days before baking or portion it into scoops and freeze for long-term storage. Frozen cookie dough balls can be baked straight from the freezer — just add an extra 1–2 minutes to the baking time!
- Experiment with Add-Ins: While the classic recipe calls for chocolate chips, feel free to experiment with white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chunks, peanut butter chips, or dried fruit like cranberries.
What to serve with
Nestlé Toll House Cookie Dough are already a delightful treat on their own, featuring a perfect blend of buttery, chocolatey goodness. But pairing these cookies with complementary sides and drinks can elevate your dessert experience to a whole new level!
1. Classic Beverage Pairings
a) Milk (The Ultimate Classic Choice)
Few things go better with a warm chocolate chip cookie than a tall glass of cold milk. It softens the texture of the cookie and balances the sweetness.
- Whole Milk: Best for a creamy, rich pairing.
- Non-Dairy Options: Almond milk, oat milk, or even coconut milk are great for those who are lactose-intolerant or vegan.
b) Coffee
The slightly bitter flavor of coffee cuts through the sweetness of the cookies, creating a deep and satisfying contrast.
- Drip Coffee or Americano: Pairs well with the classic cookie flavor.
- Espresso or Latte: Add a shot of espresso for a bold pairing or frothy steamed milk to match the cookie’s creamy texture.
c) Tea
If coffee isn’t your style, tea pairs wonderfully with cookies, especially more robust teas that can withstand the richness of chocolate.
- Earl Grey: The citrus notes play beautifully with the sweetness.
- Chai: A spiced tea adds a warm, aromatic pairing.
- Decaf Options: A mild green tea or rooibos for those who want caffeine-free options.
d) Hot Chocolate
Double down on chocolatey goodness by serving cookies with hot chocolate!
Garnish Ideas: Top your hot chocolate with marshmallows, whipped cream, or a dusting of cocoa powder for extra indulgence.
2. Ice Cream and Frozen Treats
Adding ice cream to your cookies creates a heavenly dessert combination. The warmth of the cookies and the coldness of ice cream make an irresistible textural contrast.
- Ice Cream Sandwiches: Take two cookies and sandwich a scoop of your favorite ice cream (vanilla, chocolate, cookie dough, or salted caramel are crowd favorites).
- Ice Cream Sundae: Crumble cookies over vanilla or chocolate ice cream and drizzle with chocolate syrup or caramel sauce.
- Milkshake Addition: Blend Toll House cookies into milkshakes for a creamy, cookie-packed treat.
Ingredients Substitutes
Nestlé Toll House Cookie Dough is an iconic recipe typically made with classic ingredients like butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, eggs, flour, baking soda, salt, and chocolate chips.
1. Butter
Substitute Options:
- Unsalted Butter: If the recipe calls for salted butter, you can use unsalted butter and add a pinch more salt.
- Margarine: Offers a similar texture but may slightly alter flavor.
- Coconut Oil or Vegan Butter: Great for dairy-free cookies. Use refined coconut oil to avoid a strong coconut taste.
- Applesauce (unsweetened): Replace half to all of the butter for a lower-fat version. This makes cookies chewier and less crisp.
- Greek Yogurt: Use plain, full-fat Greek yogurt to replace the butter for a reduced-fat option. This will yield softer cookies.
- Avocado (mashed): Acts like butter but may slightly tint the dough green.
2. Brown Sugar
Substitute Options:
- Granulated Sugar + Molasses: To make your own brown sugar, mix 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon of molasses for light brown sugar, or 2 tablespoons for dark brown sugar.
- Coconut Sugar: Offers a similar sweetness with a slightly nutty flavor.
- Maple Syrup or Honey: Add ¾ of the volume of brown sugar and adjust the flour to avoid over-combining liquids, as syrup is more moist.
3. Granulated Sugar
Substitute Options:
- Raw Sugar or Cane Sugar: Works similarly to granulated sugar, though the texture may be slightly grainier.
- Powdered Sugar: Can add sweetness but may affect texture, yielding softer cookies.
- Stevia or Monk Fruit Sweetener (for low-calorie versions): Use a converted amount listed on the packaging, as these are much sweeter.
4. Vanilla Extract
Substitute Options:
- Imitation Vanilla Flavor: Budget-friendly alternative with a slightly artificial flavor.
- Almond Extract: A stronger, nutty option. Use sparingly (around ½ teaspoon).
- Maple Syrup: Offers a similar depth of flavor but with lighter sweetness.
- Vanilla Bean Paste or Powder: Provides a rich vanilla flavor; adjust the amount for a stronger intensity.
5. Eggs
Substitute Options (per egg):
- Flaxseed Meal: Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of water; let sit to gel.
- Chia Seeds: Similar to flaxseed; use 1 tablespoon of chia seeds and 3 tablespoons of water.
- Applesauce (unsweetened): Use ¼ cup applesauce as an egg replacement.
- Mashed Banana: ¼ cup mashed banana per egg. Adds flavor to the cookies.
- Yogurt or Silken Tofu: Use ¼ cup of either as a binding agent.
6. All-Purpose Flour
Substitute Options:
- Whole Wheat Flour: Substitute up to half of the all-purpose flour for a nuttier texture and healthier option.
- Gluten-Free Flour: Use blends specifically designed for baking, such as those containing rice flour, tapioca starch, and xanthan gum.
- Almond Flour: Provides a denser, chewier texture (use in combination with arrowroot flour to soften).
- Oat Flour: Adds a slightly nuttier flavor and makes the recipe gluten-free when combined with GF certified oats.
7. Baking Soda
Substitute Options:
- Baking Powder: Use three times the amount of baking soda, although the cookie texture may be fluffier.
- Self-Rising Flour: Skip baking soda altogether by using self-rising flour, which contains leavening agents.
8. Salt
Substitute Options:
- Kosher Salt: Use the same quantity as table salt, as this ingredient is slightly coarser.
- Sea Salt: Adds a more nuanced flavor. Adjust to taste if using coarse sea salt.
- Low-Sodium Salt: For reduced sodium recipes, use in equal quantities.
9. Chocolate Chips
Substitute Options:
- Dark Chocolate Chunks: Provides a richer, less sweet flavor.
- Milk Chocolate Chips: Sweeter option for those who prefer less bitterness.
- White Chocolate Chips: Can be used for variety or added in combination with traditional chips.
- Candy Pieces (M&Ms): Add color and texture to the dough.
- Dried Fruit (raisins or cranberries): Not a direct substitute, but offers a chewier, less sweet alternative.
Final Thoughts
The Nestlé Toll House Cookie Dough recipe is a timeless treasure that transforms simple ingredients into something truly special.
More Cookie Recipes:
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups (270g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks, 226g) unsalted butter
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (160g) packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups (12-ounce bag) Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 1 cup chopped nuts
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Preparing the oven in advance ensures it’s at the right temperature when it’s time to bake.
Step 2: In a small bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisk these dry ingredients together to ensure they are well distributed. Set aside.
Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer (on medium speed), beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is creamy and smooth. This step is crucial for achieving cookies with slightly crispy edges and soft centers.
Step 4: Add the eggs to the butter-sugar mixture, one at a time. Beat well after each addition until the mixture is fully incorporated.
Step 5: Slowly add the flour mixture (dry ingredients) into the wet mixture, continuing to mix on low until the dough is fully combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make your cookies tough instead of soft.
Step 6: Using a spatula, gently fold in the Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips. If you’re adding nuts, fold those in as well.
Step 7: Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto ungreased baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each scoop to allow for spreading as the cookies bake. For uniform cookies, you can use a cookie scoop.
Step 8: Place your baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the centers look slightly soft. Be careful not to overbake, as the cookies will continue to set as they cool.
Step 9: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes. Then, transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
