McDonald’s cookies are a popular dessert item on the McDonald’s menu. They come in different varieties, including chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and sugar cookies. One of the key ingredients in many of the cookies is chocolate. But what type of chocolate is used in McDonald’s cookies? This article will examine the chocolate used in McDonald’s chocolate chip, double chocolate, and triple chocolate cookies to determine the cacao percentage and quality of the chocolate.
What is the Cacao Percentage of the Chocolate in McDonald’s Cookies?
The cacao percentage refers to the amount of cacao bean solids in a chocolate product. The higher the percentage, the more intense the chocolate flavor since cacao solids impart the characteristic taste. Milk chocolate has a lower cacao percentage around 30-40% while dark chocolates range from 60-100%.
McDonald’s does not publicly provide details on the exact cacao percentage of the chocolate used in their cookies. However, based on the ingredient lists, we can deduce that it is likely a milk chocolate with a cacao content around 30-40%.
For example, the Double Chocolate Cookie ingredients list “milk chocolate chunks” as well as cocoa processed with alkali. This combination indicates a milk chocolate, not a dark chocolate, is used. The alkalization process reduces bitterness and mellows the flavor, making it ideal for cookies and other sweets.
Additionally, third-party McDonald’s cookie replicas using store-bought chocolate chips call for milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate morsels. Semi-sweet chocolate typically has 35-65% cacao.
So while we don’t know the exact percentage, we can reasonably conclude the chocolate chunks and chips in McDonald’s cookies are milk chocolate with a cacao percentage in the 30-40% range. This produces a sweet chocolate flavor that complements the cookie dough.
What Type of Cocoa is Used in McDonald’s Cookies?
McDonald’s uses different types of cocoa and cacao products in their cookies:
Cocoa Powder
Many McDonald’s cookie recipes call for unsweetened cocoa powder as an ingredient. Cocoa powder starts with cacao beans that are roasted, cracked, and ground into a powder.
The ingredient lists indicate McDonald’s uses natural cocoa powder without alkali processing. This means it retains some acidity and fruitiness for a slightly sharper chocolate flavor.
Alkalized Cocoa Powder
While regular cocoa powder is used in many cookies, some recipes specifically use alkalized or “Dutch process” cocoa powder. This type of cocoa powder is washed with a potassium solution to neutralize its acids and raise the pH.
McDonald’s Double Chocolate cookies list “cocoa processed with alkali” in the ingredients. This alkalization gives the cocoa a darker color and a milder, less acidic taste.
Chocolate Liquor
Chocolate liquor refers to the pure ground cacao beans after roasting. Chocolate liquor contains 50-60% cocoa butter along with solids.
McDonald’s Triple Chocolate Cookie lists chocolate liquor in its ingredients. This provides rich chocolate flavor and creamy texture from the high cocoa butter content.
Milk Chocolate Chunks/Chips
As noted earlier, the chocolate chunks and chips used in cookies like the Double Chocolate variety are likely milk chocolate. Milk chocolate contains cocoa solids and cocoa butter combined with milk or milk powder.
This gives McDonald’s cookies both the sweet, milky flavor of milk chocolate and the rich melt-in-your-mouth texture from cocoa butter.
Where Does McDonald’s Source Their Cocoa?
McDonald’s states they source cocoa for their chocolate from Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, and other equatorial regions in Africa known for quality cocoa production.
The company says they are committed to ethical, sustainable cocoa farming practices through certifications like Rainforest Alliance. Over 30% of McDonald’s cocoa volume worldwide is third-party verified as sustainably sourced as of 2020.
They aim to have 100% of their cocoa certified sustainable in the future. So while exact farm sources are variable, McDonald’s focuses on responsible growing practices for the cocoa in their chocolate.
Does McDonald’s Use Real Chocolate?
Yes, real chocolate made from cocoa beans is used in McDonald’s cookies. The ingredients lists consistently show cocoa powder, chocolate liquor, and milk chocolate, indicating the actual use of chocolate.
McDonald’s has repeatedly confirmed that only genuine chocolate made from cacao is used in their desserts and other products. They do not use artificial chocolate substitutes.
Consumer reviews of the chocolate chip cookies describe chunks of real milk chocolate that get soft and melted from the oven heat. So you can rest assured McDonald’s cookies contain authentic chocolate ingredients.
How Does McDonald’s Chocolate Compare to Premium Brands?
McDonald’s uses decent quality chocolate in their cookies but it’s not quite premium artisanal chocolate.
Cacao Percentage
The approximately 30-40% cacao percentage of McDonald’s milk chocolate falls on the lower end of the spectrum. Premium quality dark chocolates have cacao contents of 60% and above.
Sourcing & Production
McDonald’s sources cocoa beans from major growing regions like Cote d’Ivoire using some sustainable practices.
But smaller premium chocolate brands may have direct trade relationships with single origin farms and bean-to-bar production control. This results in higher quality chocolate.
Ingredients
A premium chocolate brand focuses on high-quality cacao beans and minimal additional ingredients like sugar and lecithin. McDonald’s chocolate contains more fillers and stabilizers to achieve the right texture and shelf life.
Flavor Profile
The milk chocolate used in McDonald’s cookies has a sweeter, milkier flavor than darker gourmet chocolates. It lacks some of the complex fruity, floral, nutty notes you’d get in artisanal chocolate.
So in summary, McDonald’s uses real, decent chocolate that satisfies for a mass-market product. But it falls short of boutique chocolate brands focused purely on quality and taste.
Nutrition Facts for Chocolate in McDonald’s Cookies
Here are the nutrition facts for the chocolate used in a McDonald’s Double Chocolate Cookie (per 1 cookie):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 160 |
| Total Fat | 7g |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 10mg |
| Sodium | 105mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 24g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Sugars | 16g |
| Added Sugars | 12g |
| Protein | 1g |
As you can see, the chocolate contributes calories, fat, and sugars. A single Double Chocolate Cookie contains 160 calories and 16g total sugars.
The saturated fat content is high at 44% of the Daily Value. There are also 12g of added sugars accounting for 24% DV.
So the chocolate does add indulgence, sweetness, and rich texture but also increases the calorie and sugar load.
Cost of Chocolate Ingredients for McDonald’s
McDonald’s purchases chocolate and cocoa ingredients in enormous volumes since they serve millions of customers daily. This allows them to get advantageous prices from major wholesale suppliers.
Exact figures are not publicized but we can estimate McDonald’s likely pays:
- Cocoa powder: $3-5 per lb
- Milk chocolate: $2.50-3 per lb
- Chocolate liquor: $4-6 per lb
For packaged cookies retailing around $1 each, the chocolate ingredients may cost McDonald’s 25-50 cents per cookie depending on the recipe.
With high sales volumes producing economy of scale, McDonald’s keeps chocolate costs low enough to maintain strong profit margins on cookies and other menu items. Strategic purchasing and supply chain management are key.
Should You Make McDonald’s Cookies at Home?
McDonald’s cookies are certainly tasty but also easy to recreate at home for less cost. Here are some pros and cons of making copycat McDonald’s cookies yourself:
Pros
- Much cheaper ingredient costs
- Avoid preservatives & artificial colors/flavors
- Customize to your preferred chocolate type
- Bake fresh cookies instead of reheating
- Portion out dough rather than limited whole cookies
Cons
- More hands-on time and effort
- May lack branding appeal for kids
- No on-demand fast access
- Trial and error to perfect recipe
Many home bakers say they’ve nailed the distinctive taste of McDonald’s cookies for a fraction of the price. With strategic ingredient tweaks and baking methods, you can potentially enjoy fresh, warm cookies still hot from the oven.
Top Recipe for Copycat McDonald’s Chocolate Chip Cookies
If aiming to recreate the classic McDonald’s chocolate chip cookie at home, this highly rated recipe is a top contender:
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 21⁄4 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 12 oz milk chocolate chips
- 1-2 tbsp water as needed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugars until creamy. Mix in eggs and vanilla.
- Add flour, baking soda and salt. Mix just until blended, adding water if too dry.
- Stir in chocolate chips.
- Scoop 1-2 tbsp dough per cookie onto baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
- Bake 9-11 minutes until lightly browned around edges.
- Cool on pan 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack.
The key factors are using melted butter, both white and brown sugars, milk chocolate chips, and baking no longer than 11 minutes for soft cookies. Letting them rest on the pan before removing also prevents crumbling.
Conclusion
McDonald’s uses real milk chocolate and cocoa in their cookies, likely with around 30-40% cacao content. The chocolate contributes rich flavor but also additional calories and saturated fat. While not gourmet artisanal chocolate, it satisfies customers’ craving for an indulgent chocolate chip or double chocolate cookie. Fans seeking freshly baked homemade versions can recreate McDonald’s cookies with grocery store ingredients at a fraction of the cost. With some trial and error, you can potentially perfect a chocolate chip cookie tasting just like the golden arches.