How many calories are in Pillsbury sugar cookie dough?

Quick Answer

Pillsbury refrigerated sugar cookie dough contains approximately 110 calories per 2 tablespoon serving. This is based on the nutrition information provided on Pillsbury’s website. A full batch of Pillsbury sugar cookie dough yields around 60 cookies, with each cookie containing around 55 calories.

Calories Per Serving

According to the Pillsbury website, a 2 tablespoon serving (about 28g) of their refrigerated sugar cookie dough contains the following nutrition facts:

Calories 110
Total Fat 5g
Saturated Fat 2g
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 10mg
Sodium 105mg
Total Carbohydrate 16g
Dietary Fiber 0g
Total Sugars 8g
Added Sugars 8g
Protein 1g

So a single 2 tablespoon serving contains 110 calories. This serving size equates to about 1/30th of the full batch of cookie dough.

Calories Per Cookie

The Pillsbury website states that one batch of their sugar cookie dough makes around 60 cookies when using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop.

To determine calories per cookie:

  • Total calories per batch: 110 calories x 30 servings = 3300 calories
  • Cookies per batch: 60
  • Calories per cookie: 3300 calories / 60 cookies = Approximately 55 calories per cookie

So each fully baked Pillsbury sugar cookie contains approximately 55 calories, on average, when using a 1 tablespoon scoop.

Serving Size Variability

It’s important to note that the exact calorie count can vary slightly depending on the size of the cookies.

Using a smaller cookie scoop will result in more cookies per batch and therefore less calories per cookie. Conversely, using a larger cookie scoop will mean fewer cookies per batch and more calories in each individual cookie.

Home bakers may also get slightly more or less than 60 cookies per batch depending on how closely they portion the dough. For example, if one batch yields 64 cookies, each cookie would contain approximately 52 calories. If the batch only yields 50 cookies, each cookie would have around 66 calories.

So the calorie per cookie estimate can vary from around 50-70 calories depending on how the dough is scooped and how many cookies are produced per batch. But on average, around 55 calories per cookie is a reasonable estimate.

Cookie Dough vs Baked Cookies

It’s also important to differentiate between the calories in raw cookie dough versus baked cookies.

The nutrition information provided by Pillsbury is for baked cookies. Raw cookie dough will have slightly less calories because the sugar and fat content changes when the cookies are baked.

According to physicist John deBruyn, when cookies are baked, the majority of the sugar turns into carbon dioxide and water vapor, escaping the cookie in the form of gas bubbles. This causes baked goods to be 3-9% lower in calories than their dough form.

So while raw Pillsbury cookie dough has about 110 calories per 2 tablespoon serving, the baked cookies end up with around 55 calories each.

Nutritional Contents

Looking again at the nutritional label, a 2 tablespoon serving of raw Pillsbury sugar cookie dough contains:

  • 5g total fat (18% daily value)
  • 16g total carbohydrates (6% DV)
  • 8g added sugars (15% DV)
  • 1g protein (2% DV)

The high sugar content is expected given this is a sweet cookie dough. The added sugars account for 72% of the total carbohydrates in the dough.

When baked, a portion of the sugars are lost. The cooked cookies would likely contain around 4-5g of sugar per 55 calorie cookie.

The fat content also decreases slightly during baking due to the evaporation and loss of moisture. So the baked cookies may end up with around 3-4g of fat each.

Ingredients

Here is a breakdown of the ingredients contained in Pillsbury’s refrigerated sugar cookie dough:

  • Enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
  • Sugar
  • Palm oil and soybean oil
  • Water
  • Contains 2% or less of: brown sugar, leavening (baking soda, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate), salt, artificial flavor, modified corn starch, soy lecithin.

The main caloric contributors are the flour, sugar, and oils.

The flour provides carbohydrates and protein. Enriched white flour has around 75 calories per 1/4 cup serving.

The vegetable oils provide fat and additional calories. Palm oil contains around 120 calories per tablespoon, while soybean oil has around 120 calories per tablespoon.

Lastly, the sugar adds sweetness and carbohydrates. White granulated sugar contains around 110 calories per 1/4 cup serving.

Calorie Density

Compared to other common cookie dough varieties, Pillsbury’s sugar cookie dough is moderately high in calorie density.

Here is how it compares per 2 tablespoon serving:

Cookie Dough Type Calories
Pillsbury Chocolate Chip 140 calories
Pillsbury Sugar Cookie 110 calories
Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip 100 calories
Annie’s Homegrown Classic Sugar 90 calories
Annie’s Homegrown Chocolate Chip Oat 80 calories

As you can see, Pillsbury’s sugar cookie dough is more calorie-dense than some other brands of sugar cookie dough, like Annie’s Homegrown. But it’s lower in calories than Pillsbury’s own chocolate chip cookie dough.

This is likely due to differences in the oil and sugar content between formulas. Chocolate chip varieties tend to be higher in fat and calories to support the added chocolate pieces.

Weight Watchers Points

For those following the Weight Watchers (WW) diet plan, a single serving of Pillsbury sugar cookie dough contains:

  • SmartPoints: 5 points
  • PointsPlus: 6 points

And one baked cookie would be around:

  • SmartPoints: 3 points
  • PointsPlus: 3 points

So a serving of the cookie dough or a baked cookie counts as a substantial snack item within the WW points system. You’d need to be mindful of fitting it into your daily or weekly points budget if following WW.

Low-Calorie Options

If seeking lower calorie options, here are some ideas:

  • Look for sugar cookie doughs with “no added sugar”. These rely on the inherent sugars in the wheat flour rather than adding table sugar.
  • Find recipes for sugar cookie dough made with apple sauce or mashed bananas instead of oil.
  • Purchase dough for fiber-enriched or oat-based sugar cookies for more nutrition.
  • Portion the dough into very small cookies rather than large cookies to reduce calories per cookie.
  • Adjust your mindset to treat cookie dough as an occasional treat rather than eating it regularly.

With some simple adjustments, you can enjoy sugar cookie dough while maintaining your target calorie goals.

Health Risks of Raw Dough

While it may be tempting to sneak tastes of tempting sugar cookie dough before baking, it’s important to keep in mind that raw dough carries some health risks:

  • Raw eggs in dough may contain Salmonella bacteria, which can cause serious food poisoning.
  • Raw flour may contain E. coli bacteria, also leading to severe illness.
  • There is a risk of choking on unbaked dough, especially for children.

For these reasons, public health agencies including the CDC recommend against consuming raw cookie dough, cake mix, or bread dough.

If sampling dough, only consume doughs that have been treated to eliminate egg-borne pathogens. Some brands of cookie dough are heat-treated or use pasteurized eggs to remove the risk of Salmonella.

But for safety, it’s wisest to avoid giving kids raw dough, and wait to enjoy cookie dough until after it has been thoroughly baked.

Baking Tips

To get the best results when baking Pillsbury sugar cookies:

  • Leave dough out at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before scooping. This makes it easier to work with.
  • Use a consistent scoop size so cookies bake evenly. Aim for 1-2 tablespoon scoops.
  • Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silpat mat.
  • Bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes, until light golden brown around the edges.
  • Let cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before removing to a wire rack.
  • Store baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Properly baked cookies will have a crisp edge with a soft, chewy center. Enjoy them plain or decorate with frosting.

Common Questions

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Pillsbury sugar cookie dough:

Is the dough safe to eat raw?

No, there is a risk of Salmonella food poisoning from consuming raw cookie dough containing raw eggs. Pillsbury cookie dough should be baked fully before eating.

How long does the dough last in the fridge?

Refrigerated Pillsbury sugar cookie dough typically stays fresh for around 2 weeks from the date of purchase when stored in the fridge.

Can I freeze the dough for longer storage?

Yes, for longer storage, you can freeze sugar cookie dough for 2-3 months until ready to use. Thaw overnight in the fridge before scooping and baking.

What is the shelf life of baked cookies?

Baked Pillsbury sugar cookies will stay fresh for about 1 week stored at room temperature in an airtight container. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies for 2-3 months.

Nutrition Recommendations

While Pillsbury sugar cookie dough can certainly be enjoyed as an occasional sweet treat, for overall health it’s best to consume sweets in moderation as part of a balanced diet:

  • Aim for 2 or fewer servings of added sugars per day, including sweet baked goods, according to AHA guidelines.
  • Pair cookies with fruit, yogurt, or milk for more nutritional value.
  • Consider swapping out half the white flour in the dough recipe for whole wheat flour.
  • Incorporate plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats into your daily diet.
  • Stay active through regular exercise to help offset occasional indulgent treats.

By carefully planning your diet and activity level, you can enjoy the occasional cookie while still meeting your health and nutrition goals. Moderation and balance is key.

Conclusion

Pillsbury refrigerated sugar cookie dough contains approximately 110 calories per 2 tablespoon serving. A batch of dough bakes into around 60 cookies, with each fully baked cookie having about 55 calories, on average.

Calories per cookie may range between 50-70 depending on scoop size and exact yield. Raw dough has slightly more calories than baked cookies due to moisture loss during baking.

While tasty, sugar cookie dough and cookies should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a healthy diet. Be mindful of food safety and avoid consuming raw dough. When baking, allow dough to reach proper internal temperature to prevent food-borne illness.

So if planning to indulge in this popular sweet treat, be sure to account for the calories. Carefully portioning dough before baking and savoring just 1 or 2 cookies can help you enjoy these classic cookies while still meeting your nutritional needs.

Leave a Comment