Do you love raw cookie dough? You’re not alone! Many people enjoy it as a special treat. But here’s a big question: Is it safe to eat raw cookie dough? 

When it comes to indulging in a spoonful of uncooked cookie dough, many of us can’t resist the temptation. 

However, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks involved. Traditional cookie dough recipes often include raw eggs and uncooked flour.  Both can harbor harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli. These bacteria can lead to foodborne illnesses, making it a risky treat when consumed raw. Especially for the very young and the very old.

But don’t despair, cookie dough lovers! 

There are safe alternatives available to satisfy your cravings. 

What Are Eating Raw Cookie Dough Risks?

Eating raw cookie dough might seem fun, but it can be risky for your health. Two big reasons are Salmonella and E. coli. These are bacteria found in uncooked food.

Salmonella comes from raw eggs, and E. coli can be in raw flour. These germs can make you pretty sick. There are many documented cases of illness from raw cookie dough.  Most people will end up at the hospital with a bad case of food poisoning, but in rare instances death is possible.

The following is a list of symptoms of possible food poisoning:

• • stomach pain
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • fever

These symptoms can develop quickly and become serious, especially for little kids, older people, or if you’re already not feeling well.

So, remember, even though raw cookie dough tastes good, it’s safer to eat it after it’s cooked. 

Why Do People Eat Raw Cookie Dough?

Consuming foods high in sugar and fat, like cookie dough, triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward in the brain. 

This response can create a powerful psychological drive to experience that pleasure again, contributing to why people might crave uncooked cookie dough.

Raw chocolate chip cookie dough is just plain delicious! Also, you don’t have to wait for cookies to come out of the oven.

Although we can all relate to impulsively eating raw cookie dough, know the risks and make an informed decision.

Is There A Safe Way To Eat Raw Dough?

If you love cookie dough, there are safe ways to enjoy it without getting sick.

First, you can find cookie dough in stores that are made just for eating raw. This special dough doesn’t have eggs and uses flour that’s been heat-treated to kill any bad germs. It’s made just for those irresistible raw chocolate chip cookie dough cravings.

If you like making your cookie dough, there are smart steps you can take to make it safe. 

For example, instead of using regular eggs, try using pasteurized eggs or even egg substitutes. 

Pasteurized eggs have been heated up just enough to kill germs but not enough to cook the egg. You can also use egg substitutes, which are made to be safe and are often used in place of eggs for those who can’t eat them.

Another good tip is to heat-treat your flour. This means baking the flour by itself in the oven for a little bit. This heat kills any E. coli or other bad germs that might be hiding in the flour. After it cools down, it’s ready to be used in your cookie dough recipe!

 

Even with these safer ingredients, it’s still important to keep things clean in the kitchen. Always wash your hands before you start cooking and make sure your bowls, spoons, and counters are clean too. This helps keep away other germs that could make you sick.

By choosing commercial raw cookie dough, making your own with safe ingredients like pasteurized eggs or egg substitutes, and heat-treating your flour, you can enjoy your cookie dough treat without worry. Just remember to keep everything clean, and you’ll be set for a yummy raw treat.

Where Can I Buy Safe Raw Dough To Eat?

The food industry knows that people love cookie dough, so they’re working hard to make it safe for everyone to enjoy.

Big brands and smaller companies are creating yummy raw cookie dough products that are safe to eat right out of the package.

They use ingredients like heat-treated flour and pasteurized eggs or even skip the eggs altogether, to make sure there’s no risk of getting sick from germs like Salmonella or E. coli.

Some brands, like Doughlish and Edoughble, are popular because they offer a variety of safe, edible cookie dough flavors. 

These products are specially made so you can eat them raw without any worries. They taste just like the cookie dough you’d make at home but without the health risks.

Stores fill their shelves with these safe cookie dough options. You can find them in the refrigerated section, ready to be enjoyed as a treat anytime. The companies are very careful about how they make this dough, following strict rules to keep everything clean and safe.

Because they know what cookie dough lovers want, the food industry is making it easier and safer for everyone to enjoy this delicious treat. 

Now, you don’t have to sneak bites of raw dough when you’re baking cookies – you can just grab a safe, ready-to-eat option that tastes just as good!

Safe Homemade Raw Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Recipe

Ingredients:

1 ¼ cups heat-treated all-purpose flour (see notes below on how to heat-treat flour)

½ teaspoon baking soda (optional, for flavor only since we’re not baking)

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature

¼ cup granulated sugar

½ cup brown sugar, packed

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 tablespoons milk (or a dairy-free alternative)

1 cup chocolate chips

⅓ cup pasteurized egg substitute (optional, see notes)

Instructions:

1. If you haven’t purchased pre-heat-treated flour, spread your all-purpose flour on a baking sheet and bake it in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes. This helps to kill any potential bacteria. Let the flour cool completely before using it in your recipe.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the heat-treated flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

3. With a different large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.

4. Beat in the vanilla extract, milk, and pasteurized egg substitute (if using) until well combined.

5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

6. Add Chocolate Chips: Stir in the chocolate chips.

7. Chill (Optional): If the dough is too soft, you can chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This step is optional and based on your texture preference.

8. Finally, once the dough is ready, use a spoon or cookie scoop to serve the dough, or you can roll it into balls. 

Recipe Notes

Pasteurized Egg Substitute: This is optional and is used to mimic the texture and richness of eggs without the risk. However, if you prefer not to use it, the dough will still be delicious without it.

Heat-Treating Flour: It’s crucial to heat-treat the flour to kill any bacteria. You can also purchase flour that has already been heat-treated.

Enjoy your safe and scrumptious homemade raw chocolate chip cookie dough! Remember, this dough is meant to be eaten raw and should not be baked, as it doesn’t have the same properties as traditional cookie dough meant for baking.

Uncooked Cookie Dough Egg Replacements

Here are some brands that offer pasteurized egg products or egg replacements suitable for recipes like our Safe Homemade Cookie Dough Recipe :

Pasteurized Egg Products

1. Davidson’s Safest Choice – Offers pasteurized shell eggs that are safe for recipes where eggs are undercooked or raw.

2. Papetti’s – Provides liquid pasteurized eggs, often used in food service.

3. Bob Evans – Known for various egg products, some of which are pasteurized for safety.

Egg Replacements (Vegan-friendly)

1. JUST Egg – A plant-based egg substitute that’s great for baking and cooking, made from mung beans.

2. Ener-G Egg Replacer – A popular egg replacement powder that’s suitable for baking and is free from gluten, wheat, casein, dairy, yeast, egg, soy, nut, low-protein, and rice.

3. Bob’s Red Mill Egg Replacer – Another plant-based egg replacement that’s gluten-free and suitable for baking.

4. The Vegg – A vegan egg yolk replacer, good for recipes requiring the richness of egg yolk.

When you use these products, especially for raw consumption, always ensure that they are meant for such use and follow the guidelines and recipes recommended by the manufacturer. 

For egg replacements, it’s also good to remember that while they can mimic the properties of eggs in baking, they might not always provide the same taste or texture as regular eggs.

Conclusion

Enjoying cookie dough doesn’t have to come with health risks. 

By opting for safe alternatives like heat-treated flour, pasteurized eggs, or egg substitutes, you can indulge in this delightful treat without worry. 

Remember, taking simple steps to ensure safety can lead to delicious rewards.

So why wait? 

Treat yourself and your loved ones to the joy of safe, scrumptious cookie dough. Grab your favorite safe-to-eat ingredients or a pre-made pack from a trusted brand today and dive into the sweet world of cookie dough – your taste buds deserve it!