Edible cookie dough has become a popular treat in recent years, with stores selling prepackaged dough that is safe to eat raw. Many people enjoy the convenience of being able to eat unbaked cookie dough without the risk of consuming raw eggs. However, one question that often comes up is whether edible cookie dough contains dairy products like regular cookie dough.
Quick Answer
The quick answer is that most edible cookie dough does contain some form of dairy product. While the specific ingredients vary between brands, milk, butter, and/or cream are commonly used to achieve the characteristic rich, indulgent taste and texture of cookie dough. Many edible doughs rely on dairy ingredients to mimic the taste and mouthfeel of traditional cookie dough that contains raw eggs.
Why Dairy is Used in Edible Cookie Dough
There are a few reasons why dairy is an important component of edible cookie dough:
- Flavor – Butter, milk, and cream all contribute to the rich, decadent, slightly sweet taste of cookie dough. Leaving dairy ingredients out would make the dough taste flat and bland.
- Texture – The fat in butter and cream gives edible dough its signature soft, thick, scoopable consistency. Without dairy fat, the dough would be dry and crumbly.
- Appearance – Milk proteins help give edible dough a bright white color similar to conventional cookie dough. Removing dairy would make the dough brownish and dull.
- Food Safety – Pasteurized dairy products are safe to consume raw. Stores can sell edible dough containing pasteurized milk, butter, and cream without risk of foodborne illness.
Dairy is what gives edible cookie dough its indulgent taste, texture, and appearance. Most brands use dairy ingredients like milk, butter, and cream to mimic the experience of eating traditional raw cookie dough.
Common Dairy Ingredients in Edible Cookie Dough
Here are some of the most popular dairy ingredients used to make edible cookie dough:
Butter
Butter is a staple ingredient in regular cookie recipes, adding richness and moisture. Many edible doughs rely on butter to achieve the classic cookie dough flavor and tender, scoopable consistency. Brands may use regular salted butter or clarify it to make the butter shelf-stable. Clarified butter has the milk solids removed to prevent spoilage at room temperature.
Milk
Whole milk, evaporated milk, or milk powder are frequently used in edible dough to add moisture, flavor, and color. The proteins in milk also contribute to the signature thick, scoopable texture. Most brands opt for pasteurized milk to ensure food safety. Some may use dry milk powder which is intrinsically shelf-stable.
Cream
Heavy cream or half-and-half add rich dairy flavor without adding moisture. Cream provides a luscious mouthfeel and helps replicate the silky texture of regular cookie dough. Again, brands typically rely on pasteurized products for food safety.
Cream Cheese
For thicker, cheesecake-style doughs, cream cheese is the star of the show. Cream cheese gives an ultra-rich, decadent flavor and smooth, thick texture. It also helps stabilize the dough, along with eggs or egg replacements.
Sour Cream
Some edible dough recipes call for sour cream, which provides a tangy flavor contrast to the sweetness. Sour cream also promotes a thick, scoopable texture and helps balance moisture levels.
Mascarpone
Mascarpone is a soft Italian cream cheese that can be used to produce an especially rich, velvety dough. Its high fat content mimics the indulgence of conventional cookie dough.
Cottage Cheese
For a slightly tangy, textured twist, some edible doughs incorporate small curd cottage cheese. The curds provide little pockets of creaminess to offset the chewy dough.
Dairy-Free Edible Cookie Dough
While dairy ingredients are common in edible cookie dough, there are some dairy-free options for people with food allergies, sensitivities, or dietary preferences:
Coconut Milk and Cream
Full-fat coconut milk and coconut cream provide richness and fat without dairy. They can be substituted in a 1:1 ratio for regular milk and cream in dough recipes. The coconut flavor pairs nicely with cookies.
Nut Butters
Nut butters like almond butter, cashew butter, and sunflower seed butter mimic some of the fat and mouthfeel of dairy products. They lend a nutty flavor and creamy texture to dairy-free dough.
Vegetable Oil
Neutral oils like canola, sunflower, or refined coconut oil can replicate some of the moisture and richness of butter without the dairy. However, they don’t completely mimic the full, buttery taste.
Plant-Based Milk
Dairy-free milks like almond, oat, soy, or rice milk can be substituted for regular milk in edible dough recipes. Be sure to choose unsweetened varieties. Thick oat milk provides the most similar creaminess.
Tofu
Silken tofu is a versatile dairy replacement that can provide a rich, creamy base for edible dough when blended. Extra leavening helps give lift to tofu-based doughs.
Bananas
Mashed ripe bananas can substitute for some of the fat and moisture of dairy ingredients. Banana lends its own sweetness and flavor to the dough.
Other Egg Replacements
Binders like flax eggs, chia seeds, cornstarch slurry, or aquafaba can stand in for the structure eggs provide to regular cookie dough. They help hold the dough together without dairy ingredients.
Popular Dairy-Containing Edible Cookie Dough Brands
Here are some top edible cookie dough brands that contain dairy ingredients:
Nestlé Toll House
The famous chocolate chip cookie brand now produces pre-made edible dough in flavors like chocolate chip, peanut butter chocolate, and sugar cookie. Ingredients include butter, milk, cream, and whey powder.
Pillsbury
Pillsbury’s Funfetti and chocolate chip edible cookie doughs feature pasteurized milk, whey, and butter for classic dough flavor and texture.
Edoughble
This brand uses butter, milk, and cream cheese in indulgent cookie dough flavors like cake batter, brownie batter, and “The OG” chocolate chip. They also offer vegan and gluten-free options.
Pretzel Crisps Dough Dots
These portion-controlled edible dough balls contain milk and butter alongside pretzel chips for a salty-sweet crunch.
Bella’s Bakerie
Bella’s ready-to-eat cookie dough bites and cups feature dairy ingredients like milk, butter, cream cheese, and sour cream. Popular flavors include sugar cookie, red velvet, and chocolate chip.
| Brand | Dairy Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Nestlé Toll House | Butter, milk, cream, whey powder |
| Pillsbury | Milk, whey, butter |
| Edoughble | Butter, milk, cream cheese |
| Pretzel Crisps Dough Dots | Milk, butter |
| Bella’s Bakerie | Milk, butter, cream cheese, sour cream |
Popular Dairy-Free Edible Cookie Dough Brands
For those avoiding dairy, here are some top dairy-free, vegan edible cookie dough options:
Crazy Cookie Dough
This brand uses coconut oil and coconut creamer for the fat and creaminess needed in dairy-free edible dough. Flavors like chocolate chip, cake batter, and brownie batter are made without milk, butter, or eggs.
Cookie Dō
Cookie Dō relies on almond milk, coconut oil, and aquafaba instead of dairy products to craft rich chocolate chip, double chocolate, and sugar cookie dough flavors.
Unreal Dough
Unreal Dough takes a high-protein approach, using sunflower seed butter and pea protein to mimic the indulgence of conventional cookie dough. Their dough is also gluten-free and nut-free.
Doughp
This shop uses a blend of coconut oil, almond milk, oat flour, and maple syrup to create dairy-free edible dough in flavors like chocolate chip, cake batter blondie, and sprinkle explosion. They also sell vegan chocolate chip cookie sandwiches.
Immaculate Baking
The Hippies & Freaks edible dough line from Immaculate Baking relies on vegan ingredients like coconut oil, almond milk, and vegetable glycerine in flavors like chocolate chip, double chocolate, and peanut butter.
| Brand | Dairy-Free Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Crazy Cookie Dough | Coconut oil, coconut creamer |
| Cookie Dō | Almond milk, coconut oil, aquafaba |
| Unreal Dough | Sunflower seed butter, pea protein |
| Doughp | Coconut oil, almond milk, oat flour, maple syrup |
| Immaculate Baking | Coconut oil, almond milk, vegetable glycerine |
Are There Risks to Eating Dairy-Based Edible Cookie Dough?
While edible cookie dough made with pasteurized dairy ingredients is considered safe for most people, there are some potential risks to keep in mind:
- Allergies – Those with milk/dairy allergies could have an allergic reaction. Always check labels for milk ingredients.
- Lactose Intolerance – The dough contains lactose, which may cause gas, bloating, and other GI issues in lactose intolerant individuals.
- Foodborne Illness – Very small risk if the product was contaminated or ingredients weren’t properly pasteurized.
- High Calories/Fat – Edible dough is an indulgent treat and can be high in calories, fat, and added sugar.
For most people, store-bought edible dough with pasteurized dairy is low risk. But those with dairy issues should use caution and look for dairy-free options if consuming could be problematic.
Making Homemade Dairy-Free Edible Cookie Dough
Edible cookie dough can also easily be made at home with dairy-free ingredients:
Base Ingredients
- Gluten-free flour or oat flour
- Coconut oil, avocado oil, or melted vegan chocolate chips for fat
- Unsweetened non-dairy milk like almond or oat milk
- Maple syrup, coconut sugar, or brown sugar for sweetness
- Vanilla and salt for flavor
Binders
- Ground flax or chia seeds whipped with water
- Aquafaba (liquid from canned chickpeas)
- Cornstarch mixed with non-dairy milk
- Mashed banana
Mix-Ins
- Chocolate chips, nuts, sprinkles, etc.
Simply whip the non-dairy ingredients into a thick batter consistency. Chill for at least 30 minutes before enjoying raw. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Get creative with different flavor combinations!
Conclusion
Most edible cookie dough contains some type of dairy ingredient like butter, milk, or cream to achieve the signature texture and flavor of traditional cookie dough. Brands rely on ingredients like milk, cream, and cream cheese to provide richness, moisture, and food safety. However, there are dairy-free edible dough options available for those avoiding milk products, typically made with oils and plant-based milks instead. Homemade edible dough can also easily be crafted without dairy. While edible dough made with pasteurized milk products is safe for most, there is still a small risk of issues for those with severe dairy allergies or lactose intolerance. Overall, dairy helps create the indulgent treat of edible cookie dough, but isn’t a necessity for those needing or preferring to avoid it.
