Cookies are probably the most loved snack in the world. This is why lots of people ensure they have cookie dough on the ready every moment. So, they can relax knowing that they will be able to satisfy their desires whenever they occur.
It’s not uncommon for people to forget the details of the items they purchase at the supermarket. In all likelihood you’ll ask yourself:
Do you have to consume cookie dough that has expired? To protect yourself You should avoid eating cookies that are past their expiration date. However, you can consume it for up to a couple of months after the date of expiration, provided it is stored correctly.
But, if you are using cookie dough that is past its expiration deadline, there are many aspects to be considered. Make sure to read on to learn more about the subject.
What exactly is Cookie Dough Made of?
Before we address the issue of whether it’s safe to eat cookies that have expired it is necessary to have a look at the ingredients that cookie dough is made of. Naturally, this is a crucial aspect.
This is particularly relevant if you’re like us and think of cookies to be your top snack. If you’re not cautious you may be eating more than you could chew, because your most loved snack could also cause you to get sick.
If you’ve got a basic experience in cooking and baking, then you’re likely aware that most dough for cookies is made up of raw egg yolks.
This means that your dough is going to require extra care and attention from you since eggs are often associated with harmful bacteria such as salmonella and e-coli.
As you might have realized, proper storage is crucial in the case of cookie dough. Of course, different kinds that use home-cooked cookie dough recipes do not include raw eggs at all.
It is important to note that the cookie dough that you buy from a store includes other ingredients that serve as preservatives, which effectively extend the shelf life of the dough. However, it’s crucial to keep your cookie dough cool.
Is It Safe To Make Use Of Expired Cookie Dough?
You might be thinking: Isn’t the best-by-date fixed in the stone? It may be some surprise, there’s an actual difference between expiration dates and best-by dates.
If your cookie dough is marked with the end date instead of an end-of-life date, it’s recommended to be aware of this and eliminate the dough.
However, the best-by-date is more of an indicator and gives you an approximate time frame of the time when the dough will be at its peak quality. It will never be rotten, rancid, or run out by the date indicated by the label.
But, it is free to eat the cookie dough even though it is over its original best-by-date.
We must also insist that you should be attentive in case you do decide to follow this route and be on the lookout for any warning indicators of loss of quality in the dough you made for cookies.
Here are a few of the indicators that you must be on the lookout for:
- Discoloration It is a red signal that you must look for. The most common cause of discoloration is around the edges of the cookie dough. You’ll notice that its edges begin to show darker hues than the interior of your dough. This is due to the process called the process of oxidation. It can cause the dough to be destroyed.
- Changes in the taste If you’re similar to us, then be aware of how difficult it is to not eat the raw cooked dough. There is something about the flavor that draws us in. But, as the dough begins to turn and become more spongy, you’ll also see changes in its taste too. In time, it will look very different from the delightful flavor you were used to.
- rancid odor As with other food items that are spoiled cookies will soon emit an unpleasant smell, which will signal that it’s time to get rid of it.
- The growth of mold If the dough for cookies isn’t stored properly or it is deteriorating beyond its expiration date, and you notice it is soon going to show evidence of mold growth. This could be quite dangerous therefore it is recommended to eliminate any cookie dough that you own that may have signs of mold.
Although it’s relatively safe to bake cookies after it has reached the best-by date, we would recommend taking extra precaution and with care.
However, it is important to follow appropriate food safety protocols and follow proper hygiene practices to ensure that the cookie dough will not turn.
Of course, we suggest making sure your dough is cooked thoroughly before you eat it, however tempting it might be to just skip the line and just stick the spoonful of dough in your mouth.
If you’re interested in eating raw cookie dough then take a look at our top food-friendly cookie dough recipes.
How Long Is It Secure To Store Cookies In Their Raw Form Inside The Fridge?
It is the most crucial question in this guide. Although it’s an excellent issue, however, finding a clear and precise answer is more complicated than you might believe.
This is because not every cookie dough is created equally Although it may appear as minor differences could result in drastically different shelf life.
To help you understand this better to you, we’ve listed some aspects you must consider:
- ingredients we’ve mentioned previously what you put into your dough can have an enormous influence on the length of time it will last. Certain types of dough for cookies contain significant amounts of artificial flavoring and various other types of additives and preservatives that could drastically affect the length of time it will last.
- Fillings Like the ingredients that make up the dough what you put in to fill the dough can also impact the dough’s shelf-life in the refrigerator.
- Quantity- The quantity and the size of the dough you are storing is also important. In general, don’t let huge sheets of cookie dough rest in the fridge for too long since their larger size is more prone to environmental effects.
- Storage Also, it is important to mention that the method you use to store your cookie dough can greatly impact regards to how long it will last. For example, between cookies that have been kept air-conditioned for four hours and freshly prepared dough that was immediately put in the refrigerator, it’s obvious that the latter is likely to outlast the first.
How Long Does Homemade VS Store-Built Cookie Dough Last?
In the earlier article, a variety of aspects to consider in the shelf-life of cookie dough that is still in the refrigerator.
The duration of the dough can vary. For instance, you’re considering a time of 2 to 3 months to make the homemade cookie dough for commercially-produced brands that can last up to six to twelve months.
The variations may appear extreme however, we must return to the vital importance of the particular ingredients in the dough’s durability.
To help you We have also presented a summary of the various kinds of cookie doughs and the longer they last.
Store-Byte Cookie Dough
The first is that we have the most practical and durable of all. Cookie dough from a store is easy to make. It is available at any grocer or supermarket, and the dough typically comes in pre-portioned portions.
If you have to store it for longer periods then it is well to keep in mind that it will last up to three weeks in your refrigerator. If you decide to keep it frozen it can last as long as twelve months.
Homemade Cookies Dough
We will then make our cookie dough. This is the type of food that chefs at home are drawn to. Anyone who has ever told you, there’s no better feeling than creating things from scratch.
This is because you are able the ability to have complete creativity over the whole process.
But, they will not last as long as those cookies that you purchase from stores. This is because you’ll work using fresh ingredients, not the processed versions.
It is, however, normal to expect that they won’t possess the same properties of preservation that their counterparts do.
Particularly, they’ll only last 3 to 5 weeks before the dough’s quality begins to decrease.
Bake Sale Cookies Dough
Then, we come to baked sales, and frozen dough for cookies. You’ll have come across this type of dough in the past.
It is the ideal middle ground between the two previous kinds. It is often used in fundraising events and similar activities.
While they’re commercially produced differ from the ones you purchase from the supermarket, as they’re usually produced in smaller quantities.
Furthermore, this type of cookie dough doesn’t have the same quantity of artificial preservatives or ingredients.
The best way to ensure that this cake dough lasts longer is to make sure it is stored properly. If stored in the refrigerator, it could last at least two weeks after its initial best-by date.
Of course, if would like to ensure that the item will last its shelf-life, which ranges from 9 months or an entire year, it is recommended to think about putting your food in the freezer.
