Celebrate National Chocolate Chip Day with these amazing Twin Cities cookies, plus recipes

It's the national holiday that few of us knew existed yet most of us can't wait to celebrate.

Yes, 24 hours devoted to the chocolate chip, the key ingredient in America's greatest contribution to the baking arts, the chocolate chip cookie.

Other than ripping open a bag of Nestle's or Ghirardelli and snacking up a storm, there's no better way to mark the day than enjoying a chip-packed cookie, or two, or more. Given their universal appeal, the chocolate chip cookie is a widely available commodity, but a holiday deserves discernment. Which is why you should check out this 2013 Star Tribune story, a guide to 16 gotta-have versions.

(Note that prices may have changed in the interim, and that one outlet, Bars Bakery, is no longer in business).

My picks of this particular litter? I'll limit it to three: the butterscotch-ey delights at Patisserie 46 (and its sibling, Rose Street Patisserie), the brown sugar-overload baked at Sebastian Joe's and the wrinkled, caramelized beauties at Rustica. But that's just me. (What's your favorite? Chime in below in the comments section).

Want to bake?

Turning to the tried-and-true Toll House version is the easy option, but you can do better than that. It's already too late to prepare my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe; the formula, from the New York Times, requires that the dough rest in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours.

Results? A deeply golden, not-too-sweet treat that caters to grown-up cookie cravings, one that's crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. That they're a snap to make is icing on the cake. Go ahead. Preheat your oven.

THOMAS KELLER'S CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Makes about 2 1/2 dozen cookies.

Note: From "Ad Hoc at Home" (Artisan, 2009) by Thomas Keller.

2 1/3 c. plus 1 tbsp. flour

1 tsp. kosher salt

5 oz. 55 percent chocolate, cut into chip-size pieces (about 1 1/4 c.)

5 oz. 70 to 72 percent chocolate, cut into chip-size pieces (about 1 1/4 c.)

1/2 lb. (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, divided

1 c. packed dark brown sugar

2 eggs

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt.

Working in several batches, place chopped chocolate in a fine-mesh basket strainer and shake to remove any chocolate "dust," discarding small fragments.

(Dough can be refrigerated, shaped or unshaped, for up to 2 days, and frozen for up to 2 weeks; shape cookies on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer unbaked cookies to a freezer container. Defrost cookies overnight in the refrigerator before baking).

Shape 2 tablespoons dough into balls. Arrange 8 cookies on prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 or more inches between them (cookies will spread). Bake until tops are no longer shiny, about 12 minutes, rotating baking sheets halfway through baking.

Remove from oven and cool for 2 minute before transferring cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

And for those who prefer their chocolate chips folded into cake, we have just the recipe for you, from Minneapolis native Griffith Day and his wife Cheryl, owners of the Back in the Day Bakery in Savannah, Ga. (Read my 2015 interview with Griffith here).

GINNY'S CHOCOLATE CHIP CAKE WITH CLASSIC CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM

Note: From "Back in the Day Bakery Made with Love," by Cheryl and Griffith Day (Artisan, $24.95).

1 c. whole milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 3/4 c. cake flour, plus extra for pan

1 1/4 c. flour 1 tbsp. baking powder

1 c. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus extra for pan

1 1/2 c. granulated sugar

1/2 c. packed light brown sugar

4 large eggs, at room temperature

1 c. semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour the bottom and sides of a 9x13-inch baking pan. In a measuring cup or a small bowl, stir together milk and vanilla extract and reserve. In a medium bowl, sift together cake flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt and reserve. In a bowl of an electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar for 1 minute. Increase speed to medium-high and beat until light and fluffy, 2 to 4 minutes. Reduce speed to low and add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down sides of bowl with a rubber spatula as necessary. Add flour mixture in thirds, alternating with milk mixture and beginning and ending with flour. Fold in chocolate chips. Scrape batter into prepared pan and gently smooth top with spatula. Tap pan firmly on the counter to remove any air bubbles from the batter. Bake until a cake tester inserted in center of cake comes out clean, about 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven and cool cake for 15 minutes, then invert to a wire rack and cool completely. Invert cake to a platter and frost top and sides with Classic Chocolate Buttercream (see Recipe). Cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

CLASSIC CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM ICING

Makes about 3 cups.

Note: From "Back in the Day Bakery Made with Love."

4 oz. semisweet chocolate, finely chopped, or 2/3 c. semisweet chocolate chips

1 tbsp. whole milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 c. powdered sugar, sifted

Directions