Love Raw Cookie Dough? Try Our Safe-to-Eat Version Instead!

Do you love eating cookie dough straight out of the bowl? Sometimes it is just too hard to wait for the cookies to bake! But if you make these incredible cookie dough bites, there is no waiting at all. You are SUPPOSED to eat the dough! You will go crazy for these no-bake cookie dough bites, and if you start right now, you can be eating one in just a few short minutes.

What's the difference between raw cookie dough and edible cookie dough?

Understanding this difference is the key when answering the question, what are cookie dough bites? 

Have you ever wondered, why is cookie dough bad for you? The answer lies in the eggs and the flour. A regular cookie dough recipe, designed for baking, often incorporates raw eggs and untreated flour. These ingredients can potentially carry health risks due to the presence of salmonella and E. coli.

So, is edible cookie dough safe? Yes! It is intentionally crafted for safe consumption by eliminating raw eggs and utilizing heat-treated flour. In doing so, it removes the health concerns associated with traditional raw cookie dough. You can enjoy these no egg cookie dough bites without any worry!

Why and how to heat treat flour?

Heat-treating flour is crucial for recipes like edible cookie dough. Raw flour can harbor harmful bacteria, and heat treatment eliminates these risks while improving the flour's texture.

Is it really that dangerous to eat raw cookie dough? It can be, and heat-treating flour is easy! Just spread the flour evenly on a baking sheet and bake it at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 10 minutes. The goal is for the flour to reach a consistent temperature of 160°F (71°C) to kill any bacteria that may be present.

Why this is the best recipe

1. It is the most delicious - With the perfect balance of sweetness and vanilla, combined with high-quality chocolate chips, these easy cookie dough bites will have your family falling in love and begging for more! 
2. It is super easy - You don’t need a long list of fancy ingredients or specialized kitchen gadgets for this recipe. Edible cookie dough balls are a quick and fuss free no-bake treat.
3. It is allergy friendly - When people with nut allergies ask, are cookie dough bites safe to eat? You can say yes! My recipe skips the use of nut-based ingredients, ensuring that everyone can indulge without worry.
4. It is versatile - You can serve them at room temperature or chilled depending on your preference. And it’s incredibly easy to add mix-ins or craft the recipe to suit any dietary restrictions.

Ingredients

Visit the original Edible Cookie Dough Bites recipe at Spatula Desserts to find more detailed information and a printable version of the Recipe Card.

½ cups Unsalted butter, room temperature

¼ cups Brown sugar

¼ cups Granulated sugar

½ teaspoon Vanilla extract

1 cup All-purpose flour, heat treated (see instructions below)

½ Teaspoon Salt

½ cup Chocolate chips, preferably mini

Also read: Learn why it's important to always use unsalted butter when making desserts and how to substitute vanilla extract in a pinch.

How to make this recipe

1. Begin by heat-treating the flour. First, spread the flour out on a baking sheet and then bake it at 356°F for 10 minutes. Then let the flour cool to room temperature. You can also use the microwave for this step, but it can be hard to gauge the temperature of the flour. 
2. Cream the butter and two sugars together for a few minutes with an electric hand mixer. Then add the vanilla extract. 
3. Fold the heat treated flour and salt into the butter mixture with a rubber spatula. Be careful not to overmix. 
4. Fold the mini chocolate chips into the dough.
5. Form the dough into 12 equal-sized balls. Then, add a few more chocolate chips on top.
6. Serve the cookie dough bites immediately or put them in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes to firm them up first. 
7. You can store the no-bake cookie dough balls in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Top Tip: Use a cookie scooper to create uniform cookie dough balls. It simplifies the process and yields the most professional-looking results.

Visit the original Edible Cookie Dough Bites recipe at Spatula Desserts to find more detailed information and a printable version of the Recipe Card.

Flavor variations and substitutions

1. Dried Fruit: Add some cranberries or raisins for some fruity goodness and a little chewy texture.
2. Espresso: Consider incorporating ground coffee to intensify the chocolate flavor. You could also serve them with a side of the coffee glaze I use for my cardamom cake. 
3. Chocolate: Add a bit of cocoa powder to the dough for cookie dough truffles or use white chocolate chips for a new chocolate flavor. 
4. Coconut: Add a tropical twist with some finely shredded coconut. 
5. Nutty Delight: Mix in chopped nuts like walnuts or peanuts. Another great option is to mix a little peanut butter, hazelnut butter, or pecan butter into the dough. 
6. Caramel: Drizzle them with some homemade caramel right before serving to make cookie dough bites candy. 
7. Nutella: Mix some yummy homemade Nutella into the dough or serve it on the side for dipping. 
8. Ice Cream: How to make cookie dough bites for ice cream is easy! Just make mini-size dough balls and then fold them into your favorite ice cream. 
9. Gluten Free: Use an alternative flour to make the no bake cookie dough bites gluten-free. Keep in mind almond flour may not bind as easily. 
10. Vegan: Use vegan chocolate chips and vegan butter to make the bites plant-based.
11. Bars: Make no bake cookie dough bars instead! Just press the dough into a pan, chill it for about 30 minutes, and then cut it into bars.

Expert Tips

1. For the most delicious no bake cookie dough bites, use high-quality mini chocolate chips and pure vanilla extract.
2. Take the extra step to heat treat the flour. This not only ensures the safety of consuming raw dough by eliminating bacteria but also improves its texture.
3. Make sure the butter is at room temperature. This allows for proper emulsification and results in a smoother dough.
4. When incorporating dry ingredients into the butter mixture, mix only until fully combined.  Overmixing can lead to a tougher texture.
5. Let the heat treated flour cool to room temperature before adding it to the butter or it will melt the dough. 

Visit the original Edible Cookie Dough Bites recipe at Spatula Desserts to find more detailed information and a printable version of the Recipe Card.

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This article was first published as Edible Cookie Dough Bites recipe at Spatula Desserts.