Sure, we all love chocolate chip cookies packed with semi-sweet chocolate chips, but sometimes we want to make our recipes a bit more interesting with different kinds of baking chips, especially sweet and creamy white chocolate chips.
But finding the best white chocolate for your favorite sweet treats isn’t as simple as it seems. Some white chocolate brands are too sweet or taste too artificial, and you don’t want that to mess with the perfection that is these double-chocolate brownies. So to find the best white chips for your bakes, our Test Kitchen put nine brands to the test.
How We Found the Best White Chocolate Chips
That’s right: nine brands of white chocolate chips were sampled in a blind test by our Test Kitchen crew. Each tester, all pro cooks and bakers, sampled the chips with these qualities in mind:
- Flavor: How does the white chocolate chip taste? Is it sweet? Does it have notes of vanilla, caramel or butterscotch? Are the flavors well balanced?
- Texture: What is the texture of the chip like? Is it smooth and creamy?
- Melt-ability: Sometimes you want chips to melt (like when you’re making candies—Peanut Butter Snowballs, anyone?) and sometimes you want chocolate chips to be more substantial. There’s no right or wrong for this category, but our Test Kitchen knows it’s worth noting the following: How easily do the chips melt? Do they melt down smoothly?
- Appearance: How do the chips look? Are they uniformly shaped? Are they pure white or more buttery in color?
Our Test Kitchen-Preferred White Baking Chips
This sweet test revealed a few winners. See our Test Kitchen’s picks for the best white chocolate chips.
The Best Overall: Ghirardelli Classic White Chips
Getting the right balance of flavor is crucial in recipes and in the ingredients we use in those recipes. Our Test Kitchen found that Ghirardelli Classic White Chips really mastered the perfect balance of sweetness, creaminess and taste that we all want from white chocolate chips.
These Ghirardelli chips were creamy and melted right in our testers’ mouths. This great texture had our team dreaming of all the delicious ways to use the chips, like in these white chocolate cheesecake cups and cranberry scones.
What really had our Test Kitchen crew raving was the flavor here. These Ghirardelli chips weren’t overly sweet (as many white chocolate chips can be); instead, caramel and cream flavors really took center stage. The spot-on texture and taste here made these a clear winner in the eyes—err mouths—of our Test Kitchen cooks.
Most Complex Flavor: Hershey’s Premier White Creme Chips
Our Test Kitchen also found a white chocolate chip that over-delivered on flavor in the best way possible. Hershey’s Premier White Creme Chips weren’t simply sweet.
These chips had testers picking up on a few different subtle flavors including caramel, vanilla and sweetened condensed milk. Each of these tastes is a welcome addition to so many recipes. Who doesn’t want to add a bit of buttery richness to their next batch of cookies or fudge?
These chips also had a familiar quality that many of our testers enjoyed. We all know and love Hershey’s candies, so being able to add a bit of that flavor to your favorite bakes is really a delight.
The Creamiest: Good & Gather White Baking Chips
For an exceptionally creamy white chip, our Test Kitchen recommends adding a bag or two of Target’s Good & Gather White Baking Chips.
These chips got high marks for their incredible creamy texture and meltiness. Simply put: These are the chips you want if you plan to melt this chocolate for a recipe or make candy. The smoothness of the chips is exactly what you want for making recipes like Tiger Butter Fudge or Dipped Gingersnaps.
But don’t count these chips out if you plan to stir them into your favorite cookie dough. Our Test Kitchen also appreciated the pure white color and slight butterscotchy sweetness.
Best for Cookies: Nestlé Tollhouse Premier White Morsels
When you mix a bag of chips into your favorite cookie recipe, like these Chocolate Chip-Cherry Chunk Cookies or a dessert bar like these Chunky Blond Brownies, you want those chips to keep their texture and pretty appearance in the batter. That ensures you get great bites of solid chocolate while you enjoy them alongside a glass of milk. The best option for recipes like these is Nestlé Toll House Premier White Morsels.
These chips didn’t melt as readily as the rest—perfect for using as a mix-in for cookies, bars and quick breads. As for the flavor, our team found these chips to be fairly sweet but still creamy—exactly what you’d expect from good white chocolate. Testers also picked up some nice vanilla flavors as well, meaning these chips will add more than just sweetness to your bakes.
What to Make with White Chocolate Chips
White chocolate chips are definitely part of a well-stocked pantry for bakers. These chips are essential for craveable bakes like white chocolate macadamia nut cookies and these leveled-up chocolate chip cookies packed with mix-ins.
But no need to limit yourself to just cookies with a bag of these chips. White chocolate chips are a great way to add a bit of sweetness to any bake. They also are great for candy-making. This English toffee and candy bark both get a lift from white chocolate chips. But these recipes are just the start! Check out even more ways to make use of the best white chocolate chips around:
Rhubarb Cranberry Cookies
I like the sudden hit of sweetness when you bite into the white chips. It really complements the tart flavor from the rhubarb and cranberries. —Elaine Scott, Lafayette, Indiana
White Candy Bark
This speedy candy recipe can be varied depending on the type of fruit or nuts you have on hand. Since we have a walnut tree, I use walnuts, but pecans could also be substituted, as well as dried cherries in place of the cranberries. —Marcia Snyder, Grand Junction, Colorado
Over-the-Top Blueberry Bread Pudding
This delicious Southern blueberry bread pudding boasts out-of-this-world flavor and eye appeal. You just may want to skip the main course and go straight to dessert. It’s a favorite for our summer celebrations. —Marilyn Haynes, Sylacauga, Alabama
Oreo Rice Krispies Treats
These Oreo Rice Krispies Treats are chewy on the inside with a crispy, crunchy cookie top. Not only are they tasty, but the crumbled cookies make for a sweet presentation. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Unicorn Manes
Everyone loves a classic shortbread cookie. Make each cookie magical with a quick dip into melted baking chips and rainbow-colored sprinkles. Your unicorns will love these rainbow bites. —Angela Lemoine, Howell, New Jersey
Blackberry White Chocolate Cheesecake Cups
I read that white chocolate intensifies the flavor of blackberries. It's true! The crunch of baking chips, the blackberry puree, and the sweet and salty pretzel crust make this a sensational mini dessert. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
Tiger Butter Fudge
My younger brother and I share a passion for candy making. This smooth and creamy tiger butter fudge is from a co-worker of mine. —Peg Kipp, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
Orange Cranberry Cookie Bars
These cranberry cookie bars combine two beloved holiday flavors and top a delicious soft crust with cream cheese icing. We enjoy these during the holiday season. —Jennifer Blakely, Visalia, California
Chocolate-Covered Pretzels
These chocolate-covered pretzels came from my grandma, who loves to make candy and treats for my students. I have followed in her footsteps and make these for people at work and for other family members. —Aimee Worth, Fair Oaks, California
Dipped Gingersnaps
I get tremendous satisfaction making and giving time-tested yuletide treats like these soft, chewy cookies. Dipping them in white chocolate makes much-loved gingersnaps even more special. —Laura Kimball, West Jordan, Utah
Lime-in-the-Coconut Almond Bark
I love the combination of flavors in this tropical treat, and it takes mere minutes to make. If you need something for a school or church bake sale, this will get you out of the kitchen in a flash. —Julie Beckwith, Crete, Illinois
Vermont Maple Cookies
I created this recipe after tasting maple cookies with a maple glaze at a bakery in Stowe, Vermont, some years ago. I get many requests to bring them for bake sales, parties and ski trips. —Delores Day, Wolcott, Vermont
Chunky Blond Brownies
Every bite of these chewy blondies is packed with chunks of white and semisweet chocolate and macadamia nuts. It's a potluck offering that stands out. —Rosemary Dreiske, Lemmon, South Dakota
Peanut Butter Snowballs
This recipe for peanut butter ball cookies is a nice change from the typical milk chocolate and peanut butter combination. I once prepared them for a bake sale at my granddaughter's school, and I've also put them in gift boxes to share with neighbors at Christmas. —Wanda Regula, Birmingham, Michigan
Frozen Chocolate Cheesecake Tart
I first made this irresistible dessert for some dinner guests. They were overwhelmed by it's rich flavor and appearance. My husband commented that it was the best dessert he had ever eaten in his whole life. —Heather Bennett, Dunbar, West Virginia
Three-Chip English Toffee
With its melt-in-your-mouth texture and scrumptiously rich flavor, this is the ultimate toffee! Layered on top are three kinds of melted chips plus a sprinkling of walnuts. Packaged in colorful tins, these pretty pieces make impressive gifts. —Lana Petfield, Richmond, Virginia
White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies
White baking chips and macadamia nuts are a fantastic duo in these buttery cookies. They are a nice change from the classic chocolate chip ones. —Cathy Lennon, Newport, Tennessee
Cherry Swirl Fudge
For festive fudge with a new "twist," give this confection a whirl! We used vanilla chips instead of chocolate ones and added sweet cherry flavoring. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Iced Pumpkin Cookies
My 2-year-old son, Joshua, especially likes testing—or should I say consuming—these chunky cookies! —Johna Nilson, Vista, California
Magic Wands
These fun and colorful wands don't need to be made by a magician to be magical. You can change the colors to fit any party theme. —Renee Schwebach, Dumont, Minnesota
Cranberry Pecan Cookies
These are so tasty and simple to prepare! Each delightful little cookie is loaded with cranberries, nuts and vanilla, giving them the taste of a treat that’s been slaved over. —Louise Hawkins, Lubbock, Texas
Cookies 'n' Cream Fudge
I invented this confection for a bake sale at our children's school. Boy, was it a hit! The crunchy chunks of sandwich cookie soften a bit as the mixture mellows. It's so sweet that one panful serves a crowd. —Laura Lane, Richmond, Virginia
Drizzled Gingerbread Biscotti
After stumbling across a community recipe for gingerbread biscotti, I made several batches and tweaked it to our tastes. These became an instant obsession at our house.—Susan Board, Palmer, Alaska
White Chocolate Cereal Bars
A friend shared with me this fresh take on traditional crispy treats. My husband loves them, and I feel so efficient with their quick prep time. —Anne Powers, Munford, Alabama
White Chocolate Cranberry Almond Tart
A sweet white chocolate drizzle perfectly balances the tangy cranberries in my signature holiday dessert. I also make this tart for local coffee houses and restaurants. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Sea Salt Mint White Mocha Cookies
This recipe came from my mom's Grandma Alice, who taught her how to bake. Grandma Alice always had a fresh plate of warm cookies on her counter. I learned some of her recipes by heart as a child, and I've been making these since high school. They taste like Christmas.—Kristin Bowers, Rancho Palos Verdes, California
White Chocolate Party Mix
You won't be able to stop eating this irresistible white chocolate party mix. The light, sweet coating is great over cereal, peanuts, pretzels and M&M's. —Norene Wright, Manilla, Indiana
Spearmint Thins
No time to bake cookies from scratch? Create a tasty treat in little more than half an hour by doctoring butter-flavored crackers with vanilla chips and mint candies.—Kathleen Felton, Fairfax, Iowa
White Almond No-Bake Cookies
My daughter and I like to try new recipes. We were out of chocolate chips one day, so we came up with this cookie using white chips.—Debbie Johnson, Winona Lake, IN
Chocolate Chip Brownies
People love these rich chocolate chip brownies so much that I never take them anywhere without bringing along several copies of the recipe to hand out. The treats are wonderful to take on a picnic because you don't have to worry about melted frosting. —Brenda Kelly, Ashburn, Virginia
Magic Macaroons
Peanut butter, candy corn and macaroons are three of my favorite things, so I combine them all to make one magical sweet that's perfect for Halloween. —Jeanette Nelson, Bridgeport, West Virginia
Coffee Bean Bark
Chopped coffee beans add a yummy crunch to this pretty, two-toned bark. Coffee-lovers won’t be able to resist pieces of the chocolaty candy treat. —Anne Addesso, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Red Velvet Peppermint Thumbprints
Red velvet cookies and cakes are so pretty, but I always wish they had a bigger flavor. I infused these thumbprints with a peppermint pop. —Priscilla Yee, Concord, California
Oatmeal Chip Cookie Mix
I like to give a jar of this oatmeal cookie mix, along with a cookie sheet, for a bridal shower or housewarming gift. —Joan Airey, Rivers, Manitoba
Slice & Bake Chocolate Pecan Cookies
Toasting the pecans makes a huge difference in the taste of these cookies. The double chocolate drizzle also satisfies my cravings for chocolate. They are so fancy looking, your guests will think they came from the best baker in town! —Lindsay Weiss, Overland Park, Kansas
Peppermint Stick Cookies
With cool mint flavor and a festive look, these whimsical creations will make you feel like you're in the North pole. The chilled dough is easy to shape, too. —Nancy Knapke, Fort Recovery, Ohio
Raspberry White Chocolate Bars
A co-worker's mother gave me this gem of a recipe a few years back. I can never decide what's more appealing—the attractive look of the bars or their incredible aroma while they're baking! Everyone who tries these asks for the recipe. —Mimi Priesman, Pace, Florida
Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake
After making some delicious dessert bars, I was determined to turn the recipe into a chocolate peppermint cheesecake. This festive dessert is the result and one of my favorites to serve for the holidays. Whether I share it with family or give it as a gift, it always receives rave reviews. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Red Velvet White Chip Cookies
These cookies are soft, chewy and taste as good as they sound. The first time I baked them, I took them to an aunt's yard sale. Now they’re my go-to for any special event. —Samantha Gstalder, Montoursville, Pennsylvania
Dried Cranberry Scones
I go on vacation with my best friend to Michigan every July. Her cousin is allowed to come, too—but only if she brings her special cherry scones! I make them with cranberries for the holidays. Don't try to double this recipe. If you need more than 12, make two separate batches of dough. —Sherry Leonard, Whitsett, North Carolina
Orange Dreams
A fellow teacher shared this recipe with me. We have several great cooks on our teaching staff, and each of us takes turns bringing special treats to the lounge. These moist, chewy cookies with a pleasant orange flavor are a favorite.—Susan Warren, North Manchester, Indiana
Almond Chocolate Biscotti
My neighbors look forward to getting my gifts of these chocolate-covered cookies. I love that this chocolate biscotti recipe is such a cinch to make. —Ginger Chatfield, Muscatine, Iowa
Easy Cake Mix Bars
I take this dessert to work for Friday pick-me-ups. It's one of my favorite yellow cake bar recipes. I love to share them because they're so easy to eat, easy to make and easy on the wallet. —Amy Rose, Ballwin, Missouri
White Chocolate Maple Pecan Macaroons
I love macaroons and wanted to add a different twist to them with white chocolate and pecans, some of my favorite ingredients. —Patricia Harmon, Baden, PennsylvaniaThe post The Best White Chocolate Chips, According to Test Kitchen Bakers appeared first on Taste of Home.
Lisa Kaminski