Best Chocolate Chips

[DaisyM]

Which brand of chocolate chps do you think are the best for baking? I'm making a pie and the recipe calls for chocoate chips. Thank you!

[jbsiegel]

Has anybody ever tried the chocolate chips from Lake Champlain Chocolate? Not exactly cheap, but I was wondering if they are worth it...

[Isolda]

I have not tried their chips, but I have never had a bad piece of chocolate from Lake Champlain. Their small world truffles are memorable.

[chowser]

I like Guittard, or eGuittard if I want to splurge. I'm not a huge fan of Ghirardelli. But, if I have time, I'll cut my own, usually from TJ's pound bars.

[DaisyM]

This is probably a really stupid question...but if a recipe specifies chocolate chips is there a reason why they are to be used as opposed to a bar of the same type of chocolate? Is there something regarding chips (size or what is added to them) that make them more desirable for certain baking recipes? Thank you!

[Dee S]

Chips do have something added so they retain their shape but it's not a complete fixation, since they do melt. I recall seeing something on how they're made but can't remember the show.

My favorite chips are Guittard with Ghirardelli as a back up. I've had some good chips that were store brand but it's been a while.

[chowser]

As Dee S said, it retains the shape but that's not important to me. I like Guittard because after baking, the chocolate melts in my mouth better, similar to chopping my own. The others cool and harden back how they were, pre-baking.

[Dee S]

I think you read my mind, chowser....and said it better than I intended. Guittard definitely produces an exceptional chocolate flavor and their chips end up more like a fine piece of chocolate instead of a "chip". They are some of the smoothest chips out there!

Some of the others do become more solid; almost waxy, which spoils the cookie experience. However, that may come in handy if you're using chips for coating instead of cookies.

[cioccolata]

Guittard is my favorite supermarket brand, although it can be hard to find in most stores. The quality, in my humble opinion :), is much better than Ghirardelli or *shudder* Nestle.

[chowser]

It's been a problem for me lately, too. Years ago, it was much easier. World Market used to carry eGuittard but it's been hit or miss lately and they carry milk chocolate chips more than semisweet. But, it's also hard to me to get my head around the idea of $10 for 10 oz or whatever the size is they carry. I make ccc often and that adds up quickly.

[cioccolata]

When I was attending UCD Nuggets carried them. Now I can find them at Vons but that is the only major grocery chain store that I have found them in recently, although my mom claims that Ralphs once carried them. The price is pretty reasonable at Vons, around $3.50 for a 12 oz bag. I bake a lot of chocolate chip cookies so i go through them quickly. Ordering them online would be too expensive (especially with shipping and cool packs).

[Isolda]

I use Guittard and Ghirardelli. They are both excellent.

[rockycat]

Are you looking for something readily available in the supermarket or something you might have to mail order? If you mean supermarket, then yes, Ghirardelli is probably the one to go with. If you have an Earth Fare, Whole Paychex, or similar store near you, your options will open up. They may carry Callebaut, El Rey, or another premium band. They might have disks or pearls which may work in your recipe.
If you need something fast, go for the Ghirardelli. It's definitely good and easily available.

[DaisyM]

Thank you. Yes, I need to get it at the grocery or TJ's.

[bear]

I think Trader Joe's chocolate chips are really good.

[Hank Hanover]

I don't think Dove makes chips so you are probably better off going with Ghirardelli.

[ChiliDude]

I second the motion!

[jbsiegel]

Actually, I just found this: http://www.dove-chocolate-discoveries...

They also seem to make some bits that are mini peanut butter cups. THOSE look good!