Cookies are delicious and they’re all around us.
From cookies in our pantry to baking sheets on the counter to chocolate chip cookies at your local supermarket, we have more than enough ways of enjoying this delectable treat.
But there’s one thing about cookies that many people don’t realize – even though they may be made of sugar, flour, butter, and other ingredients, these treats aren’t actually safe to eat.
How much raw cookie dough can you eat?
There is a lot of confusion when it comes to eating raw cookie dough.
The first question most consumers ask themselves when they see a recipe for homemade cookie dough is whether or not the dough is safe to eat raw.
And while some recipes will say “yes,” others will say “no.”
In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has strict rules regarding the safety of raw cookie dough.
The FDA says that any cookie dough that is intended to be cooked should never be eaten raw.
This includes any cookie dough that contains raw egg, like brownie batter or funfetti cake mix.
Even if a recipe specifically states that the cookies are being made from scratch, the FDA still advises against eating them raw.
According to the FDA, when making homemade cookies, it’s important to follow proper sanitation methods. Specifically, wash your hands and kitchen utensils after using them.
Also, make sure to keep raw cookie dough away from other foods as well as surfaces that are contaminated by germs.
In addition to washing your hands and surfaces, the FDA also suggests that you avoid mixing raw cookie dough with anything else until the mixture has been fully cooked.
For example, if you add milk to cookie dough before it goes into the oven, don’t forget to separate the two once the cookie dough has finished baking.
If you want to try out your own homemade cookie dough recipe but are concerned about how much raw cookie dough you can eat safely, we’ve got some answers for you below!
Can you eat raw Nestle cookie dough?
Nestlé has a long history of producing delicious chocolate chip cookies.
However, the company also makes a variety of other cookie products, including their famous Oreo brand.
Although these cookies have no dairy, eggs, nuts or other ingredients that might cause allergies, you can safely eat them.
However, there are some things that you should know before you start munching on these tasty treats.
What is a safe way to eat raw cookie dough?
First off, do not let anyone else touch your food!
The only people who are allowed to touch the dough are you and your partner.
If someone else touches your food, they will get sick.
So, just keep your food to yourself.
Don’t share your raw cookie dough with anyone else unless you know that they are healthy enough to make sure that they aren’t going to get sick from eating your cookie dough.
Another thing to remember when baking is that you need to be careful about where you put your cookie dough because you don’t want to bake it in the oven too close to the very top.
That could make it hard for the cookie to rise properly and it could even burn up.
It’s best to bake it in a separate pan so that it doesn’t get hot while the rest of the cookies are cooking.
If you have trouble finding a cookie sheet that fits the size of your cookies, try using an old piece of cardboard.
Just cut out a circle around your cookie sheet and then trace around the edges of the cookie sheet with a pencil.
Cut along the traced lines with scissors.
This will save you time by having to measure everything twice and cutting out two pieces of cardboard instead of wasting money on a new cookie sheet.
Be sure to measure the cardboard carefully to make sure that it fits perfectly in the freezer.
Use a little bit of tape to hold down the corners of the cardboard.
Then cut out the circles with scissors and then place the cookie sheet over the cardboard so that you can easily remove the cardboard after baking.
This will stop you from damaging the cardboard and make the cookie sheets last longer.
When you are ready to bake your cookies on the parchment paper, put the pan in the refrigerator to cool until it is done.
To avoid burning the bottom of the cookie sheets, take the cookie sheet out of the refrigerator and place it on a cooling rack.
When all your cookies are cooled, remove the parchment and set it back in the freezer to set until you are ready to serve.
You can also freeze the cookie sheets and then remove them from the freezer and then use the cookie sheets to bake your cookies.
The next step is to decorate your cookies with icing.
Mix together the butter and powdered sugar using a spoon.
Place one tablespoon of frosting at a time and spread it over the cookies.
Once it is all covered, add another layer of icing on top of the first layer.
Add more frosting as needed.
Place it back in the fridge and leave it to set for 10 minutes before you decorate the tops with sprinkles, writing letters or designs with the remaining icing on the sides of the cookies.
To melt the frosting and then sprinkle with sprinkles or edible glitter.
Now you are ready to roll the cookies and place them in the freezer for at least 2 hours.
Remove them from the freezer and then decorate the cookies with sprinkles, or place them on the plate.
What happens if you eat slightly raw dough?
It depends on what kind of cookie dough you are eating.
Some kinds of cookie dough are better than others.
There are some that are better to eat slightly raw and there are other types that are better to cook completely before eating.
For example, chocolate chip cookies are good to eat slightly raw but oatmeal raisin cookies are better to cook completely before eating them.
You should always check the recipe for details on how long to cook the cookie dough before eating it.
You don’t want to eat raw cookie dough and have it spoil before you have a chance to enjoy it.
Cooked cookie dough is much easier to handle and won’t stick to your fingers like raw cookie dough.
Also, cooked cookie dough stays softer and melts faster in your mouth.
However, raw cookie dough is usually tastier and sweeter because it is not processed.
Raw cookie dough contains more nutrients and vitamins than cooked cookie dough.
Raw cookie dough is often healthier for you and is less expensive than buying pre-made cookies.
How likely is salmonella from cookie dough?
AccordingThe chances of getting salmonella from raw cookie dough are slim.
However, raw cookie dough can be contaminated with bacteria when it comes into contact with infected food handlers or surfaces that are contaminated with the bacteria.
Cookie dough can also be contaminated by people who touch their hands after they have handled raw cookie dough.
Salmonella infection occurs when contaminated cookie dough travels through the digestive system of an infected person and enters the bloodstream.
Salmonella infection can cause diarrhea, fever, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and headache.
It can also lead to severe complications such as inflammation of the blood vessels and even death. Because of this, raw cookie dough can make people sick.
If you are going to bake cookies, make sure that you use clean utensils and wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw cookie dough.
If you are planning to freeze cookie dough, make sure you do so immediately after mixing.
This will prevent any bacterial growth.
Cooking temperature can affect the taste of your baked cookie.
To keep the crispness of your cookies, you need to bake it at a low temperature.
A lower temperature will result in a soft cookie that has lost its crunchiness.
And, high baking temperature will produce a crispy cookie that is hard and chewy.
If you plan to freeze cookie dough, you can either place it in the freezer right away or refrigerate it before freezing.
But if you want to freeze cookie dough, make sure you wrap it tightly and leave it in the freezer for one week.
This way the cookie dough will retain its shape and texture when it freezes.
As soon as you take it out of the freezer, transfer it directly onto the cookie sheet to the oven.
Cookie dough takes around 30 minutes to bake.
When the cookie is done, remove it from the oven and cool it completely.
This will help to preserve the freshness of the cookie.
Ingredients:
1 cup flour, 2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine, 1 tablespoon sugar, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 egg yolk, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda,
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mix all ingredients together until smooth.
Roll cookie dough into balls around 2 inches in diameter.
Bake for 10-12 minutes.
Remove with a fork and cool on cooling rack.
Is it OK to eat Pillsbury cookie dough raw?
Pillsbury® cookie dough is a popular staple in American households.
The company sells millions of packages each year, making it one of the best selling brands.
While many people enjoy eating Pillsbury® cookie dough because it’s delicious, there are several health risks associated with eating raw cookie dough.
First, raw cookie dough contains raw eggs.
Eggs are highly susceptible to contamination, which makes them a breeding ground for bacteria.
Second, raw cookie dough has a higher fat content than other types of cookie dough.
High levels of fat increase the likelihood of developing heart disease.
Finally, raw cookie dough is often stored in freezers.
Freezing removes the moisture content from the cookie dough, which can make it difficult for consumers to identify moldy or spoiled products.
Mold and yeast can grow in frozen foods, which can potentially make consumers sick.
In addition, storing raw cookie dough in freezers increases the risk of spreading dangerous germs throughout the home.
Because of these concerns, it is recommended that consumers always cook raw cookie dough before consuming it.
Additionally, consumers should also be aware that Pillsbury® does not recommend eating raw cookie dough.
While the company suggests cooking Pillsbury® cookie dough before consumption, it does not offer specific instructions on how to cook Pillsbury® cookie dough.
If you would like to learn more about the health risks associated with eating raw cookie dough, check out our guide on the dangers of eating raw cookie dough.
Can you eat cookie dough straight?
Many people enjoy eating cookies and other baked goods without any additional ingredients.
However, some consumers prefer their baked goods to have a little extra flavor.
This type of added flavor is typically achieved by mixing sugar, oil, or flour into the mix.
Unfortunately, adding these ingredients to your baked good could pose health risks.
First, adding sugar to your baked good may cause your body to produce too much insulin.
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar.
When excess insulin is produced, blood sugar levels drop.
As a result, you will likely experience headaches, fatigue, dizziness, diarrhea, and nausea.
If you consume large amounts of sugar, you may even develop diabetes.
Second, adding oil to your baked good may be harmful.
Oil is high in saturated fats, which increase the chances of developing serious chronic diseases, such as heart disease and stroke.
Saturated fats also raise cholesterol levels, which can lead to clogged arteries and heart attacks.
Finally, adding flour to your baked good may not taste as good.
However, this doesn’t mean that flour is bad for your health.
Flour is actually important for healthy bones, muscles, and cartilage.
Nevertheless, adding flour to your baked good could increase your calorie intake, which may contribute to weight gain.
Ultimately, if you want to add flavor to your baked good, try mixing in a small amount of spices or herbs instead of sugars, oils, or flours.
You can also experiment with different sweeteners to achieve a desired level of sweetness.
For example, you can use honey or maple syrup instead of sugar.
Is store bought cookie dough raw?
Unfortunately, most supermarket-bought cookie dough does not contain enough nutrients to provide optimal nutrition.
In fact, many commercial brands contain more fat than protein, and they are often made from refined flour rather than whole grain flour.
Additionally, many commercial brands contain preservatives, additives, and artificial flavors.
The following table provides an overview of common ingredients found in commercially available cookie dough.
- Sugar: Sugar is one of the most commonly used ingredients in commercial cookie dough. While there are natural sweeteners that are considered safe for consumption (such as stevia), it is best to avoid refined sugars because they do not contain vitamins or minerals.
- Fat: Many commercial cookie dough brands contain high amounts of saturated fat, which is linked to serious chronic diseases, including obesity, heart disease, and cancer.
- Flour: Most commercial cookie dough contains refined flour, which is a poor source of fiber and essential nutrients. Whole wheat flour has higher amounts of fiber and nutrients than refined flour, but it still won’t give you all the nutrients you need.
- Salt: Salt is another ingredient that many commercial cookie dough brands contain. Although salt is an essential nutrient that your body needs, consuming excessive amounts of dietary sodium is associated with increased risk of hypertension, kidney stones, osteoporosis, and stomach ulcers.
- Soy Lecithin: Soy lecithin is a plant-based emulsifier that is frequently added to commercial cookie dough. While soy lecithin is generally considered safe, it can cause allergic reactions in some individuals. Therefore, if you suffer from allergies, it is best to check the label on packaged cookie dough before purchasing it.
- Preservatives: Preservatives are chemicals that help prevent bacteria growth and prolong shelf life. While preservatives may seem like a necessary step when making a product, they are often associated with adverse health effects. Some preservatives are toxic to humans, while others can cause cancer. Additionally, preservatives can alter the nutritional profile of foods, reducing the effectiveness of certain nutrients.
- Artificial Flavorings: Artificial flavorings are chemicals that act as substitutes for natural flavors. They are typically made from petroleum derivatives, which means they are often considered unhealthy. Additionally, some artificial flavorings may contain MSG, which is a chemical that causes brain damage in animals. Therefore, it is best to avoid products that contain artificial flavorings.
While eating commercial cookie dough isn’t necessarily unsafe, it is definitely suboptimal.
To improve the quality of your baked goods, consider baking homemade cookie dough using organic ingredients and cooking your own bread.
It is possible to make delicious homemade treats using flour, water, yeast, and a few simple ingredients.
Try experimenting with different types of flour, including buckwheat, almond, oatmeal, and spelt.
You can also experiment with different types of yeast, including active dry, instant, liquid, and fresh.
And lastly, you can choose to cook your own bread instead of buying pre-made bread at the grocery store.
Is edible cookie dough OK?
Yes, edible cookie dough is perfectly acceptable to consume.
However, you should never eat raw dough or batter that is being used for food (cookies, cakes, pancakes, or pizza) or crafts (dough-based holiday ornaments).
Raw dough is very susceptible to bacterial contamination, so it is important to follow instructions regarding cooking temperature and time to kill any bacteria.
Cooking temperatures and times vary depending on the type of dough.
For example, cookies require a lower temperature and shorter time compared to cake batter.
For information on how to properly cook your dough, refer to this article.
What cookie dough brands can you eat raw?
You can find many different cookie dough brands in grocery stores across America.
Some are made with all-purpose flour, some with bread flour, and others with whole wheat flour.
There are also several varieties of cookie dough available at health food stores such as Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods Market.
In addition, there are also several types of cookie dough sold online that can be purchased from Amazon, Walmart, and other major retailers.
The most popular brand of cookie dough in the United States is Betty Crocker.
This brand is manufactured by General Mills and has been around since 1939.
The Betty Crocker company website states that “Betty Crocker Cookie Dough was first introduced in 1939 and has been a staple in American kitchens ever since.”
Another popular brand name is Nabisco.
It was founded in 1876 and has expanded into various products including Oreo cookies, Nilla Wafers, and Chips Ahoy!
They have also expanded their product line to include cookie dough. Their cookie dough is made with milk, soybean oil, sugar, and salt.
Other notable brands include Hostess, which was purchased by Apollo Global Management in 2013, and Keebler.
Keebler also sells its own version of cookie dough, but it is not as widely distributed throughout the country as the other two brands mentioned above.
As you can see, there are a number of cookie dough brands out there that make them in a variety of shapes and sizes.
If you’re looking to try out one of these cookie dough brands, please read our review of the best cookie dough flavors for more details.
While many people love eating cookie dough straight out of the package, we recommend baking it instead.
Here’s why:
- It’s easier to control the amount of calories that go into the meal.
- Baking your own cookie dough allows you to customize the recipe to your liking.
- When baked, cookie dough becomes crispy and delicious.
- You can eat it right away without having to wait for it to set up.
How to bake cookie dough
To bake cookie dough, you will need to prepare it ahead of time.
You can either make the entire batch of dough and freeze it or make individual portions of dough and freeze them individually.
Once frozen, you can transfer them to a resealable plastic bag.
When you want to bake your dough, simply thaw the dough in the fridge overnight.
This method works well if you plan to bake multiple batches of cookie dough, as the process of baking multiple batches is much less time consuming than making an entire batch.
You can also do this when you only want to eat one portion of the dough.
You just need to bake it immediately after thawing.
If you choose to bake your cookie dough before freezing, it is recommended that you cut the dough into small pieces of about 1 inch each.
This way, they will bake faster and won’t dry out too quickly.
Once the dough is completely thawed, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Remove the dough from the freezer and place it onto a lined baking sheet.
Bake it until golden brown, approximately 20 minutes.
Let it cool completely before eating.
Can you eat Betty Crocker cookie dough raw?
No, you cannot eat raw cookie dough.
Even though it may seem tempting to do so, raw cookie dough is extremely dangerous to consume.
Raw cookie dough contains high levels of moisture, which makes it very easy to get sick from, especially if you are prone to allergies.
In fact, raw cookie dough can cause severe illness, including vomiting and diarrhea.
Additionally, raw cookie dough can contain allergens like nuts, seeds, and dairy, which could trigger allergic reactions in those who are sensitive to them.
If you really want to give it a try, you should ensure that the cookie dough is completely cooked before putting it in your mouth.
To do this, bake it as described above.
What are the chances of getting sick from raw cookie dough?
The chances of getting sick from eating raw cookie dough aren’t too great.
However, there have been some cases where people have gotten sick after eating raw cookie dough.
The most common symptoms include stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Other symptoms might also occur depending on the individual.
In rare instances, people have even died from consuming raw cookie dough.
However, it’s important to note that these cases were due to improper handling and preparation of the cookie dough.
For example, they could not properly cook the cookie dough before eating it.
Also, they either ate the cookie dough without washing their hands first or they put the cookie dough directly into their mouths instead of using a spoon.
Additionally, these incidents were isolated events rather than widespread illnesses.
This means that they were caused by one person and not many others.
If enough people consumed raw cookie dough at once, an outbreak would likely occur.
Raw cookie dough isn’t as dangerous as raw meat, but it still poses a risk.
Raw meat has higher levels of bacteria than raw cookie dough because raw meat is more susceptible to contamination during its production process.
On top of that, raw meat is often handled with bare hands, making it easier for germs to spread around.
How to make sure you’re safe when eating raw cookie dough
To reduce your risks of getting sick from raw cookie dough, you should follow these guidelines:
- Cook all cookies and other products containing raw cookie dough until they reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
- Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling any cookie dough.
- Don’t eat raw cookie dough if you have gastrointestinal issues such as IBS or lactose intolerance.
- Don’t eat cookie dough right away after purchasing it. Let it sit at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.
- Don’t let children under the age of 5 eat raw cookie dough.
- Don’t eat raw cookie dough if you have a compromised immune system.
- Clean up spilled cookie dough immediately.
- Use utensils to serve cookie dough.
- Keep cookie dough out of the refrigerator.
- Don’t eat raw cookie dough if you are pregnant.
When did cookie dough become safe to eat?
Before the 1950s, a lot of people thought that raw cookie dough was unsafe to consume. However, this belief began to change in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
At the time, manufacturers started producing refrigerated cookie dough.
They used pasteurized milk, which helped prevent illness.
Since then, manufacturers have added additional steps to help ensure cookie dough is safe to eat. These steps include the following:
- Heat treating the flour.
- Pasteurizing the eggs.
- Adding preservatives to the cookie dough.
- Adding salt to the cookie dough.
- Adding sugar to the cookie dough.
- Controlling the amount of water in the cookie dough.
- Using high-quality ingredients to produce cookie dough.
- Ensuring proper storage conditions.
- Adding antioxidants to the cookie dough.
- Adding coloring agents to the cookie dough.
With all of these safeguards in place, it’s safe to eat raw cookie dough.
Now, you can enjoy Pillsbury’s refrigerated cookie and brownie doughs in both their baked and raw forms.
How do you know if cookie dough is raw?
If you’re looking for an easy way to tell whether or not your cookie dough is raw, there are several ways to determine its safety.
The first step is to check the package label.
If the label doesn’t contain any information about the product’s expiration date or other important details, such as whether or not the dough contains preservatives, it may be raw.
Next, look on the packaging itself.
The most common sign of a raw product is the use of expired ingredients.
For example, if you see the words “expired” or “outdated,” you should assume the product is likely to be unsafe to eat.
Finally, ask your local bakeries what they recommend.
Most will say that they only sell products that have gone through all of the necessary steps to ensure the safety of the finished product.
Benefits of Raw Cookie Dough
While many people consider the benefits of eating raw cookie dough to be negligible, there are some real advantages to doing so.
In addition to being safer than processed cookie dough, raw cookie dough offers the following benefits:
- It tastes better.
- It’s lower in calories.
- It’s free from additives.
- You get more bang for your buck when purchasing raw cookie dough compared to raw cookies.
- It helps fight food allergies.
- Raw cookie dough offers a wide variety of health benefits.
- It boosts your immune system.
For more information on the nutritional value of raw cookie dough and how to make it yourself, take a look at the links below.
Equipment
- Rolling Pin
- Pastry Blender
- Hand mixer
- cut and serve turner
- Stand Mixer optional
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheet
- wire cooling rack
- gingerbread cookie cutter
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar packed
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 Tablespoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 12 Tablespoons butter room temperature, cut into 12 pieces
- 3/4 cup molasses dark molasses
- 2 Tablespoons milk
For the frosting:
- 2 Tbs butter room temperature
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 Tablespoons milk
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt.
- Using a pastry blender, incorporate the butter pieces into the mixture until it resembles fine meal. Add the butter pieces.
- The molasses and milk should be added gradually while the mixer is set on low speed, and mixed for about 30 seconds.
- Make two balls out of the dough by dividing it in half. If you’re in a rush, place them in the freezer for approximately 20 minutes, or you may cover them in plastic wrap and refrigerate them for two hours or overnight.
- Set the oven to 350 degrees. Put parchment paper on two baking trays.
- One dough sheet should be taken out of the fridge or freezer and placed on the counter. The dough should be rolled out to a thickness of about 12 inch. If necessary, sprinkle little flour on your rolling pin. Gingerbread men should be cut out and put on baking pans.
- For five minutes, put the gingerbread men in the fridge (meanwhile you can roll out the other dough ball).
- For 8 to 11 minutes, or until the centers of the cookies are set and the dough barely leaves a fingertip imprint, bake the cookies (depending on the size of your cookie cutter). Aim not to overbake!
- To a wire rack, remove the cookies. Before frosting, let the cake reach room temperature.
- Use parchment paper to separate the layers of an airtight container to store gingerbread cookies. For up to three months, freeze.
- Butter, milk, and 1 cup of powdered sugar should be combined in a bowl to make the frosting. Blend until uniform. A further cup of powdered sugar should be added and smoothed out. If desired, add frosting to the piping bag.
Video
Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.