Hilton’s DoubleTree Cookie Is Legendary—Here’s Why (and How to Get Yours)

Few things in life hit quite like a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie—especially when it’s handed to you at check-in. For decades, DoubleTree by Hilton has made this sweet surprise part of its signature welcome, winning over tired travelers and cookie lovers alike.

But how did this delicious tradition start? And more importantly, how can you get your hands on one—even if you’re not staying the night?

In this guide, we’ll dive into why Hilton’s DoubleTree cookie has earned its legendary status and exactly how you can snag one for yourself.

What are the Hilton DoubleTree cookies?

The signature cookie served by DoubleTree by Hilton is a freshly baked walnut chocolate chip cookie that is given free to hotel guests at check-in. These are the real deal—warm, thick cookies containing an average of about 20 chocolate chips each.

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When did the tradition begin?

The first DoubleTree hotel opened in Scottsdale, Arizona, in 1969 on the grounds of Scottsdale Fashion Square, and the second property opened in Tucson in 1974.

The latter—DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tucson Reid Park—is still operating today, making it the oldest operating DoubleTree property in the world.

The DoubleTree brand did not join Hilton until late 1999 when Hilton Hotels Corporation acquired Promus Hotel Corporation but they had already started serving up those cookies in the 1980s.

When the cookies first came out, they were designated for VIP guests but the cookies were not always consistent.

Then, in 1986, the company finalized its signature recipe, allowing hotels across the brand to serve a more consistent cookie experience.

Since then, the cookie has gained a lot of attention, including becoming the first food baked in space aboard the International Space Station in 2019. One can only imagine how amazing the space station must have smelled afterward.

Also impressive is the sheer number distributed each year. According to Hilton, more than 30 million of these cookies are handed out annually.

And who oversees all of this cookie distribution?

DoubleTree has even appointed an official Chief Cookie Officer, a role some have called the sweetest job in the world.

How can you get a free DoubleTree cookie?

Whenever you check into a Hilton DoubleTree hotel, a front desk agent should hand you a cookie or ask you (non-sarcastically) if you want a cookie. (You should definitely say yes.)

The cookies are usually inside of some type of wrapper or bag so that you can take them to your hotel room and devour them in private.

Some properties have occasionally run out of cookies or temporarily suspended the tradition, particularly during operational disruptions such as those experienced during the pandemic.

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Tip: On National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, some DoubleTree properties have offered free cookies to the public, although participation can vary by location.

Can you order Hilton DoubleTree cookies online?

If you don’t have any plans of staying at a Hilton DoubleTree anytime soon you can still partake in the sweet goodness of these cookies by ordering them online.

At times, DoubleTree has offered cookie tins for purchase online, although availability and pricing may vary.

Shipping costs vary based on your location and selected delivery speed. They also can even ship internationally.

Is there a Hilton DoubleTree cookie recipe?

For decades the Hilton DoubleTree cookie recipe was a secret. But that all changed in 2020 when Hilton decided to release the recipe to the public.

Hilton released the recipe during the pandemic, when many people were unable to travel and enjoy the cookies in person.

You can find the recipe to make these at home below.

Ingredients

• ½ pound butter, softened (2 sticks)
• ¾ cup + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ¼ teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 ¼ cups flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Pinch cinnamon
• 1 3/4 cups chopped walnuts 
• 2 2/3 cups Nestle Tollhouse semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Cream butter, sugar and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes.
2. Add eggs, vanilla and lemon juice, blending with mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, then medium speed for about 2 minutes, or until light and fluffy, scraping down bowl.
3. With mixer on low speed, add flour, oats, baking soda, salt and cinnamon, blending for about 45 seconds. Don’t overmix.
4. Remove bowl from mixer and stir in chocolate chips and walnuts.
5. Portion dough with a scoop (about 3 tablespoons) onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper about 2 inches apart.
6. Preheat oven to 300°F. Bake for 20 to 23 minutes, or until edges are golden brown and center is still soft.
7. Remove from oven and cool on baking sheet for about 1 hour.

Cook’s Note

You can freeze the unbaked cookies, and there’s no need to thaw. Preheat oven to 300°F and place frozen cookies on parchment paper-lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake until edges are golden brown and center is still soft.

While DoubleTree uses a standardized recipe, the final product can sometimes vary slightly from property to property depending on baking practices and preparation methods.

It’s not always easy to compare food items sampled months or years apart, but I could have sworn that some cookies differed slightly in taste, size, or texture from others I’ve received. For example, sometimes the oats or walnuts are less prominent.

So just keep in mind that the recipe and/or baking method may not always be 100% consistent.

Recipe courtesy Hilton.

After hearing about these cookies for years, I finally decided to make a batch myself using Hilton’s official recipe.

I was impressed with how close they tasted to the cookies I’ve received at DoubleTree properties over the years. They’re thick, soft, loaded with chocolate chips, and every bit as addictive as I remembered.

Hilton DoubleTree cookie FAQ

Final word

There’s a reason the DoubleTree chocolate chip cookie tradition has endured for decades. The cookies are delicious and there’s nothing better than getting greeted with one of these after a long day on the road.

Even if you’re not able to partake in one of these at a hotel, you can still order them online or if you have the baking skills, you can even make them in your kitchen.