Chocolate Chips
Small chocolate pieces, in drop or chip form, made to be mixed into cookie and cake batter; they largely hold their shape when baked.
What Are Chocolate Chips?
Chocolate chips are small pieces of chocolate, made in drop or chip shapes especially for mixing into cookie and cake batter. They can be made from milk, dark, or white chocolate.
Compared with regular chocolate bars, they are formulated with less cocoa butter and more solids so they do not become completely liquid in the oven and largely hold their shape.
Chocolate Chip Nutrition Facts
As semisweet chocolate, chocolate chips are high in fat and sugar; they provide about 480 kcal of energy per 100 g. Values vary by type (dark, milk, or white chocolate) and are approximate.
How Should You Eat Chocolate Chips?
Chocolate chips are high in fat and sugar, so consume them in moderation as part of a balanced diet. They are generally used in baked goods rather than eaten on their own.
This is general information; chocolate chips are a food and are not a substitute for medical treatment.
How to Choose Chocolate Chips
Good chocolate chips are whole, have a shiny surface, and smell fresh. Avoid products that are stuck together, have developed a whitish bloom, or smell stale.
- The pieces should be whole and separate from one another.
- The surface should be shiny and free of bloom.
- They should smell fresh and chocolatey.
How to Store Chocolate Chips
Store chocolate chips in a cool, dry, dark place (about 18°C / 65°F). Refrigeration is not recommended because they can absorb moisture and stick together.
Using Chocolate Chips in the Kitchen
Chocolate chips are most often used in chocolate chip cookies, muffins, cakes, and granola mixes. Stir them directly into the batter; after baking, they largely hold their shape and retain their chip form.
What Is the Difference Between Chocolate Chips and Chopped Chocolate?
Chocolate chips are formulated to largely hold their shape in the oven, while chopped chocolate bars melt more easily and create softer, more fluid pockets in the batter. Both can be used in cookies, but they produce different textures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do chocolate chips not melt?
They contain less cocoa butter and more solids, which prevents them from becoming fully liquid at oven temperatures and helps them hold their chip shape.
Can you eat chocolate chips on their own?
Yes, but they are generally made for use in baked goods and are less often chosen as a snack than chocolate bars.
Are chocolate chips the same as couverture chocolate?
No. Couverture has a high cocoa butter content and is designed to melt fluidly for coating; chocolate chips are formulated to do the opposite and hold their shape.