Chocolate Chip Cookies with Walnuts

A classic and by far the most-favorite cookie in my family! My mom used to make these every year when I was little (until I started baking). She used to store them in cookie tins and hide them in the garage before Christmas but my Dad and I always found them! The shortening is what keeps them from getting flat and the reason they stay nice and crunchy!

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES WITH WALNUTS

• 2 cups butter-flavor Crisco shortening

• 1 cup sugar

• 2 cups brown sugar (dark or light)

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 4 eggs (beaten)

• 4 cups flour

• 2 teaspoons baking soda

• 2 teaspoons salt

• 1 large bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

• 2 cups chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions:

1. Cream shortening, sugar, vanilla and eggs, then gradually add flour and other ingredients, then add chocolate chips and walnuts.

2. Bake at 350 degrees F until golden brown.

Preparation Tips and Variations

For chewy, golden perfection, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading—your shortening helps here too. Use a cookie scoop for uniform size, and rotate sheets midway for even browning. Variations include swapping walnuts for pecans or macadamia nuts for tropical crunch, or adding oatmeal for a hearty twist. For sea salt lovers, sprinkle flaky salt on top post-bake. Make them giant (use ¼ cup dough per cookie) for bakery-style, or mini for ice cream sandwiches. These freeze beautifully—bake from frozen, adding a minute or two.

The Rich History, Origins, and Enduring Popularity of Chocolate Chip Cookies with Walnuts

Chocolate chip cookies with walnuts, a timeless treat of buttery dough studded with melty chips and nutty bite, owe their existence to a serendipitous kitchen mishap in 1930s Massachusetts. The story begins with Ruth Graves Wakefield, a dietitian and chef who, along with her husband Kenneth, owned the Toll House Inn in Whitman. One day in 1938, while preparing butter drop cookies, Wakefield substituted a chopped-up Nestlé semi-sweet chocolate bar for baking chocolate, expecting it to melt evenly into the batter. Instead, the chunks held their shape, creating the first "chocolate chip" cookies. Guests raved, and soon the recipe was printed on the inn's menu, catapulting the cookie to fame.

Nestlé caught wind and struck a deal: Wakefield received a lifetime supply of chocolate in exchange for the recipe, which appeared on their bags by 1939—complete with the iconic "Toll House" name. World War II soldiers' care packages boosted its spread, turning it into a symbol of homefront comfort. Walnuts, a common add-in since early recipes, added texture and nutrition, drawing from American baking traditions where nuts elevated simple sweets.

By the 1950s, as electric ovens democratized baking, chocolate chip cookies became a household staple, evoking nostalgia and versatility. Their enduring popularity lies in that perfect chew—crispy edges, soft centers—making them a canvas for endless tweaks while honoring Wakefield's accidental genius.

Cultural Popularity and Variations

Chocolate chip cookies have embedded themselves in American culture as the ultimate comfort food, synonymous with childhood, holidays, and impromptu generosity. From the 1940s onward, they starred in cookbooks like Betty Crocker's, fueling a baking boom that mirrored post-war prosperity. Today, they're a social media darling and a $500 million industry, with gourmet shops reimagining them as massive, gooey orbs. Their appeal transcends borders, adapted in Japan with matcha chips or in Mexico with cinnamon and chili for festive flair.

Variations keep the classic fresh: thin and crispy with browned butter, stuffed with caramel, or vegan with aquafaba "eggs." Nut lovers amp up walnuts with espresso for depth, while health twists use almond flour or dark chocolate for antioxidants. Gluten-free or keto versions proliferate, proving the cookie's adaptability across diets and eras. At core, it's about that universal joy: warm from the oven, shared with loved ones.

Highlight on the Delaware Valley

In the Delaware Valley, chocolate chip cookies with walnuts are a heartfelt staple, woven into the region's robust baking heritage from Pennsylvania Dutch roots to urban patisseries. Local traditions emphasize nutty, hearty treats, with walnuts sourced from nearby orchards adding a signature crunch to family recipes passed down through generations. At holiday markets and church suppers, they're baked en masse in tins, evoking the warmth of hidden garage stashes. Iconic spots craft oversized versions with sea salt or browned butter, pairing them with Philly-roast coffee for afternoon rituals. This love affair underscores the Delaware Valley's fusion of simple, nostalgic baking with innovative local flavors, making every bite a slice of home.

Overall, chocolate chip cookies' charm endures through their infinite variations, fostering bonds one warm cookie at a time.

Nutritional Benefits and Health Angle

These walnut-studded chocolate chip cookies balance indulgence with smart nutrition when enjoyed mindfully. Walnuts provide omega-3s and antioxidants for brain health and reduced inflammation, while semi-sweet chips offer a moderate cocoa hit with flavonoids for heart support. Eggs and flour contribute protein and B vitamins for energy, and brown sugar's molasses adds trace minerals like iron. At about 150 calories each, they're satisfying—swap shortening for coconut oil to boost healthy fats, or use whole-wheat flour for fiber. Darker chocolate ups antioxidants, and portioning into smaller cookies aids moderation. This family favorite promotes feel-good moments without guilt, fitting into balanced diets as an occasional treat that nourishes body and soul.