For those of you with a sweet tooth, a warning that this story might make you crave one of America’s favorite go to desserts-cookies! For many, the chocolate chip cookie tops their list. We have one person in particular to thank for the invention of the chocolate chip cookie, and believe it or not, she has close ties to Framingham: Ruth Graves Wakefield. Just a few days ago-June 17th-marked Ruth’s birthday, and in honor of that, we wanted to learn more about her connections to our city, and the story of the chocolate chip cookie.
It’s hard to imagine a world without the chocolate chip cookie. For many this timeless classic is not only delicious, its fresh baked smell and taste is heartwarming and nostalgic. June 17th 2024, would have been Ruth’s 121st birthday, and though she passed away in 1977- her legacy continues today one chocolate chip cookie at a time. Now Framingham had a special place in Ruth’s heart, as she learned a lot of her cooking and culinary skills at what is now called Framingham State University, before graduating in the class of 1924. It was just a few years after her studies here that the story of the chocolate chip cookie came to fruition, and the tasty treat was born.