Who doesn’t have sweet memories of sneaking a spoonful or two of cookie dough while baking cookies? Unfortunately, the act of eating raw cookie dough can be risky and can lead to foodborne illnesses. As an SEO writer assistant, I was curious to know if there are any safe-to-eat cookie dough options available. My research yielded some promising results, which I will be sharing with you in this blog post.
Why eating raw cookie dough can be risky
Raw cookie dough usually consists of flour, eggs, sugar, and butter or margarine. While these ingredients are fantastic individually, they can harbor harmful bacteria when mixed and consumed raw. Flour may contain E.coli, and eggs may contain Salmonella. Bacteria can be hidden in plain sight, and in most cases, we can’t detect if something is contaminated by its appearance, smell, or taste.
Eating raw cookie dough may lead to common foodborne illnesses like diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. These symptoms can be mild to severe, depending on the type and amount of bacteria present in the dough. Children, pregnant women, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to these foodborne illnesses than others.
What is edible cookie dough
Edible cookie dough is a dessert that is safe to eat, and its ingredients are free from any bacteria that may cause foodborne illness. According to research, the two critical ingredients that make cookie dough unsafe to eat are eggs and flour. To make raw cookie dough safe to eat, it’s essential to eliminate these key risk factors.
Edible cookie dough recipes may feature flour that has been processed to remove any harmful bacteria. Alternatively, the recipe may substitute the flour with oatmeal, almond meal, or other gluten-free flours that don’t typically contain harmful bacteria. To replace the eggs, the recipe may include another type of liquid, such as milk, cream, or condensed milk.
It’s important to note that commercially available edible cookie dough can also be safe to eat. Large-scale manufacturers of edible cookie dough heat-treat the flour and use pasteurized egg whites, making the dough safe for consumption.
The benefits of edible cookie dough
One of the key benefits of edible cookie dough is that it offers the same flavors and textures as regular cookie dough while being significantly safer to eat. Edible cookie dough can be a fun and tasty dessert for those with a sweet tooth. It’s also easy to prepare and can be made in large batches and stored in the fridge for up to a week.
Another benefit of edible cookie dough is that it’s versatile and can be customized to suit different dietary needs. For instance, people who are gluten intolerant can try gluten-free flour in the recipe, and those who are lactose intolerant can use almond milk instead of dairy milk.
How to make edible cookie dough at home
Making edible cookie dough at home is simple and doesn’t require any special equipment or techniques. Here’s a standard recipe that you can try at home:
Ingredients:
– 1 cup all-purpose flour (heat-treated to kill bacteria)
– 1/3 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
– 1/3 cup brown sugar
– 1/3 cup granulated sugar
– 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1/3 cup milk (add more or less for consistency)
– A pinch of salt
– 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions:
1. Heat-treat your flour by placing it in the oven at 350°F for 5 minutes or microwaving it for 1-2 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer.
3. Add the vanilla extract and salt and continue to mix.
4. Gradually add the heat-treated flour and mix until it’s fully incorporated.
5. Add the milk and mix until you achieve your desired consistency.
6. Fold in the chocolate chips.
7. Serve and enjoy!
Conclusion
In conclusion, edible cookie dough is a great alternative for those who love cookie dough but are cautious about consuming raw ingredients. Edible cookie dough can be made at home with simple ingredients, or it can also be purchased commercially from trusted sellers. Edible cookie dough is versatile and can be customized to suit different dietary needs, making it a perfect treat for people with special dietary requirements. Overall, edible cookie dough offers the same flavors and textures as traditional cookie dough, minus the health risks. So, go ahead and indulge in your favorite flavors without worrying about the risks of salmonella or E.coli.
FAQ
Can I eat Papa Murphy’s cookie dough raw?
Papa Murphy’s is a popular chain of take-and-bake pizza stores in the United States. In addition to their pizzas, they also offer cookie dough and S’mores bars dough for baking at home. While many people enjoy the taste of raw cookie dough, the question arises whether it is safe to eat Papa Murphy’s cookie dough raw.
It’s important to note that raw cookie dough is not recommended for consumption in general. The risk of food poisoning from eating raw cookie dough arises due to the presence of raw eggs and raw flour. Raw eggs can contain the bacteria Salmonella, which can cause illness in humans. Raw flour can also contain harmful bacteria such as E. coli. These bacteria can be destroyed during the cooking process, but eating raw cookie dough can increase the risk of contracting these diseases.
Though Papa Murphy’s cookie dough is designed to be baked, some people still wonder if it is safe to eat the dough raw. The answer to this question is no. Papa Murphy’s chocolate chip cookie dough and S’mores bars dough are not meant to be eaten raw. Therefore, it is highly recommended to follow the baking instructions on the package or recipe to ensure the safety of the dough.
While it may be tempting to enjoy a spoonful of cookie dough before it is baked, it is not worth the risk of getting sick from consuming uncooked dough. Papa Murphy’s cookie dough should always be baked according to the instructions provided, to ensure it is safe to consume. If you are concerned about consuming raw cookie dough, consider making an egg-free version or choosing safer alternatives to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Can you safely eat frozen cookie dough?
Many people may be tempted to eat frozen cookie dough straight from the package, or unbaked in other forms, but is it safe to do so? The short answer is that it depends on the ingredients and how you handle the dough.
One of the main concerns when dealing with raw cookie dough is the presence of raw eggs. Raw eggs can contain salmonella, which is a potentially dangerous bacteria that can cause foodborne illness. This is why some brands of cookie dough sold in grocery stores now use pasteurized eggs, in order to reduce the risk of foodborne illness in those who consume the dough.
However, it’s not just the eggs that can pose a problem. Flour, often the main dry ingredient in cookie dough, can also be contaminated with harmful bacteria like E. coli. In fact, in 2016, a widespread recall of flour due to E. coli contamination affected various brands and sizes of flour sold across the US.
So, what about freezing cookie dough? Freezing can actually help kill off some of the harmful bacteria present in raw cookie dough, as many bacteria can’t survive at extremely low temperatures. However, it’s important to note that freezing won’t kill all of the bacteria, and it won’t eliminate the risk of illness altogether.
If you’re planning on eating frozen cookie dough, there are a few things to keep in mind. First and foremost, check the ingredients for any potential hazards. Look for pasteurized eggs or egg substitutes, and consider using heat-treated flour to reduce the risk of contamination. It’s also important to store the dough at the appropriate temperature, which is typically -18°C (0°F) or lower.
When ready to eat your frozen cookie dough, thaw it in the refrigerator or microwave it at a low power setting until it’s soft enough to spoon out. Once the dough has been thawed, it should be baked immediately, as any potential bacteria present may have had time to multiply.
While freezing cookie dough can help reduce some of the risks associated with consuming raw dough, it’s still important to be mindful of potential hazards and handle the dough with care. If you’re unsure about the safety of a particular batch of cookie dough, it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid consuming it altogether.
