Easy steps to create delicious edible cookie dough -
Edible cookie dough

Easy steps to create delicious edible cookie dough

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Cookie dough has long been tempting, but concerns about raw ingredients have often held people back. Now, there’s a solution that allows everyone to indulge safely. Edible cookie dough recipes have gained popularity, offering a way to enjoy the sweet, irresistible taste without worry. This trend has caused a revolution in home baking, giving cookie lovers a chance to savor their favorite flavors risk-free.

This article provides easy steps to create delicious edible cookie dough at home. It covers the essential ingredients for safe cookie dough, including alternatives like gluten-free flour. Readers will learn how to heat-treat flour properly, ensuring it’s safe to eat. The guide also includes step-by-step instructions to make various cookie dough flavors, from classic chocolate chips to Funfetti. Finally, it offers tips on storing and serving edible cookie dough, including fun ideas like cookie dough ice cream and bites.

Creating safe, edible cookie dough requires a careful selection of ingredients to ensure a delicious treat without health risks. Here’s a breakdown of the essential components:

All-purpose flour

All-purpose flour serves as the base for edible cookie dough. However, raw flour can carry E. coli, making it unsafe to consume. To eliminate this risk, heat-treating the flour is crucial. This process involves spreading the flour evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and baking it at 350°F for 5-10 minutes. Alternatively, microwave the flour in 30-second intervals for about 2 minutes, stirring between each interval. The goal is to reach a temperature of at least 165°F, effectively killing any harmful bacteria.

Butter

Unsalted butter is preferred as it allows for better control of the salt content in the recipe. For the best results, leave the butter at room temperature for 1-2 hours to soften. Be cautious not to over-soften the butter, as this can lead to overly soft cookie dough.

Sugars

A combination of light brown sugar and granulated white sugar gives the dough its classic flavor. The brown sugar adds warmth to the sweetness, while the white sugar balances it out. Some recipes may call for dark brown sugar as an alternative.

Vanilla extract

Pure vanilla extract is essential for achieving that homemade taste. It enhances the overall flavor profile and brings harmony to the other ingredients. While some recipes may omit vanilla, its inclusion often results in a more balanced and flavorful dough.

Milk

Milk acts as a binding agent, replacing eggs in traditional cookie recipes. Add milk gradually, one tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached. This helps achieve the right texture without making the dough too wet.

Mix-ins

Mini chocolate chips are a popular choice for edible cookie dough, but the possibilities are endless. Other options include regular-sized chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, sprinkles, crushed cookies, or chopped candy bars. These mix-ins add texture and flavor, allowing for customization based on personal preferences.

How to Heat Treat Flour Safely

Heat-treating flour is essential for making safe, edible cookie dough and other no-bake desserts. This process eliminates harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella that may be present in raw flour. There are two primary methods to heat treat flour: the microwave method and the oven method.

Microwave Method

The microwave method is quick and convenient, especially for smaller amounts of flour. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Pour the desired amount of flour into a microwave-safe bowl.
  2. Heat the flour in 30-second intervals on high power.
  3. Stir the flour between each interval to ensure even heating.
  4. Use a thermometer to check the temperature after each interval.
  5. Continue heating until the flour reaches 160°F (71°C).
  6. The process typically takes about 2 minutes, depending on the microwave.

Oven Method

For larger quantities of flour, the oven method is more suitable:

  1. Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
  2. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Spread the flour evenly on the prepared pan.
  4. Bake for 5-7 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes to ensure even heating.
  5. Check the temperature in multiple spots, aiming for 160°F (71°C).
  6. If needed, continue baking in 2-minute intervals until the desired temperature is reached.

Cooling and Sifting

After heat treating the flour:

  1. Allow it to cool completely to room temperature (about 30 minutes).
  2. Sift the flour through a fine-mesh sieve to break up any clumps.
  3. Store the heat-treated flour in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
  4. Use within one year for best quality.

Remember, heat-treated flour may have a slightly different texture or flavor compared to raw flour. However, this process ensures that the flour is safe to use in no-bake recipes or for sneaking a taste of cookie dough without worry.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cream butter and sugars

To begin making edible cookie dough, one should start by creaming the butter and sugars together. This process is crucial for achieving the right texture and flavor. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Allow the butter to come to room temperature (about 65°F). This ensures optimal plasticity for trapping air pockets.
  2. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar.
  3. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream the ingredients together for about 1-2 minutes.
  4. Continue mixing until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, and the sugar crystals are no longer visible.

Add wet ingredients

After creaming the butter and sugars, it’s time to incorporate the wet ingredients:

  1. Beat in the vanilla extract and salt until well combined.
  2. If the recipe calls for it, add milk gradually, one tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.

Mix in heat-treated flour

For safe, edible cookie dough, it’s essential to use heat-treated flour:

  1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the heat-treated flour and any other dry ingredients like baking soda.
  2. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients.
  3. Mix with a rubber spatula until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
  4. The dough may appear crumbly at first, but it will come together as you continue mixing.

Fold in mix-ins

The final step is to add your favorite mix-ins:

  1. Choose from options like mini chocolate chips, regular chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, sprinkles, or chopped candy bars.
  2. Gently fold the mix-ins into the dough using a spatula.
  3. Add between 1 to 1½ cups of mix-ins, depending on personal preference and the type of add-ins used.

Remember, this edible cookie dough is now ready to enjoy without baking. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for best results.

Storage and Serving Suggestions

Refrigeration

Edible cookie dough can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-4 days in an airtight container. Due to its high dairy content, refrigeration is recommended if not consumed immediately. However, chilled cookie dough can become quite stiff. To soften it for serving, one can either gently rewarm it in the microwave for about 10 seconds or let it sit at room temperature for approximately 15 minutes.

Freezing

For longer storage, freezing is an excellent option. Cookie dough can be frozen for up to 3 months. There are several methods to freeze cookie dough:

  1. Scoop the dough into small balls and freeze them on a cookie sheet. Once frozen, transfer the balls to a freezer bag.
  2. Shape the dough into a log, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and freeze.
  3. Place the dough in an airtight container and freeze.

Always label containers with the type of dough and the date it was frozen to avoid confusion and ensure freshness.

Ways to enjoy

Edible cookie dough offers versatile serving options:

  1. Ice Cream Sandwiches: Flatten two small chunks of cookie dough into disks, bake for 5-10 minutes at 350°F, cool, and sandwich ice cream between them.
  2. Cookie Dough Bites: Roll mini balls of dough, freeze for 30 minutes, and use them to top ice cream sundaes or enjoy as is.
  3. Cookie Dough Pops: Skewer a ball of dough with a popsicle stick, roll in chocolate, and freeze for 10 minutes.
  4. Cookie Dough Banana Boats: Fill a hollowed banana with dark chocolate and top with cookie dough crumbles.
  5. Cookie Dough Cups: Press dough into a greased mini muffin tin, add a brownie bite, top with more dough, and bake for 5-10 minutes.
  6. Cookie Pizza: Flatten a half cup of dough into a disk, bake for 12 minutes, cool, and top with icing and berries.
  7. Cookie Dough Ice Cream Bites: Press dough into a mini muffin tin, top with ice cream, freeze for 2 hours, and drizzle with chocolate.
  8. Cookie Dough Bark: Spread melted chocolate on a baking tray, sprinkle with cookie dough, freeze for 1 hour, and break into chunks.

These serving suggestions offer creative ways to enjoy edible cookie dough, whether as a quick snack, a decadent dessert, or a fun treat to share.

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