Edible doughs are eaten raw, which makes it safer to buy popular brands; but Ben and Jerry’s surprised fans when the company revealed its secret recipe online. In doing that, pizookie lovers can now make delicious, safe-to-eat cookie dough the way Ben and Jerry’s does
In December 2019, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) warned people about whipping up homemade raw cookie dough as an alternative to buying the branded ready-to-dough mix. According to the CDC warning, flour that is not properly treated can still contain harmful bacteria like Escherichia coli (E. coli). Contamination may have taken place while the grains are still in the fields, and later during flour production.
While many are often tempted to taste the dough or batter before they are baked, the CDC discourages this practice because any bacteria carried over by the flour to the dough or batter mixture can only be killed during the baking process.
The same is true for raw eggs if the recipe followed includes raw eggs as ingredient of the cookie dough or batter. Uncooked or slightly cooked eggs may contain salmonella that can only be killed by proper cooking.
Why Ben and Jerry’s Edible Cookie Doughs are Safe to Eat?
The CDC warning came out a month after Nestlé USA voluntarily recalled their Toll House Cookie Dough products when it was discovered that some were contaminated with rubber pieces. So far, Ben and Jerry’s has kept the safe-to-eat reputation of their Edible Cookie Dough.
The recipe shared is actually very simple, but it reveals why B&j’s edible dough products are safe to eat. The first step must be followed correctly to make sure the homemade no-bake cookie dough is safe to eat.
Flour Heat Treatment
Using a microwave-safe bowl, heat- treat the bowl of flour in a microwave at a high setting until the flour reaches a temperature of 165F (73C). For best results, heat the flour for 30 seconds then mix, before heating it up for another 30 seconds. Heat and mix in between until the bowl of flour registers the recommended heat via an instant-read heat thermometer.
The ingredients are traditional, which include the following:
1 cup flour
8 tablespoons or 1 stick unsalted butter kept at room temperature
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon kosher or plain, iodine-free salt
½ cup chocolate chips