“Friends are the chocolate chips in the cookie of life”

“Friends are the chocolate chips in the cookie of life” (or, “In the cookie of life, friends are the chocolate chips”) is a saying that has been printed on several gift items. Chocolate chips are the extra treats of a cookie. The saying has been cited in print since at least 1995 and is of unknown authorship.
 
   
Google Books
The Courage to be Yourself
By Sue Patton Thoele
New York, NY: MJF Books
1991, ©1988
Pg. 25:
Since I’d released those expectations and found other ways to fulfill those needs, his change was much appreciated (the chocolate chips in the cookie of life), but was no longer necessary for my emotional survival.
     
Google News Archive
22 August 1995, Moscow-Pullman Daily News (Pullman, WA and Moscow, ID), “Cookbook Corner” by Vera White, pg. 1B, col. 2:
The cookbook also contains generous helpings of humor, personal vignettes and thoughts to ponder such as: “In the cookie of life, friends are the chocolate chips.”
(Food, Fun and Friends: Recipes Etcetera! by Carol Stueckle—ed.)
 
13 June 1998, Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO), “Rider victim remembered” by Tillie Fong:
Julie Ann Ybanez was remembered by friends Friday as a loving, giving woman whose thoughtfulness will long be remembered.

“If friends are the chocolate chips in the cookie of life, then Julie is the piece of chocolate you would savor,” said Eileen Elliott.
 
Google Books
Heritage Country Harvest Cookbook:
Over 700 favorite recipes from the Amish in northern Indiana
By Ray Yutzy and Malinda Yutzy
Howe, IN: R. and M. Yutzy
2001
Pg. 65:
Friends are the chocolate chips in the cookie of life.
   
Google Books
Help I’m a Mom:
Devotions for Mothers
By Ruth Reazin
Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse
2008
Pg. 60:
Today I saw this slogan; “Friends are the chocolate chips in the cookie of life.” I can’t imagine what life would be without my friends.
   
Beckly Widian
Selasa, 25 Agustus 2009
Sahabat
(...)
Friends are the chocolate chips in the cookie of life…
… it is great to have them there but u can live without them if they go bad…
   
10 October 2009, Reporter-Times, (Martinsville & Morgan County, IN), “Sunny Circle Homemakers win first places at Achievement Day”:
The thought for the day was, “Friends are the chocolate chips in the cookie of life. ”