Written By Pamela
I’ve baked cookies hundreds of times, and sometimes I take them out of the oven a bit too early. Taking a bite and feeling the inside being all soggy is something I really dislike. If this happens to you, you might wonder what to do. Is it safe to eat an undercooked or slightly undercooked cookie? Can I put them back in the oven or microwave? Or even, how do you know if a cookie is undercooked? I’ll explain everything.
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So, how are you supposed to know when a cookie is cooked or undercooked?
Let me explain everything.
The first thing you’ll notice is the color. Cooked cookies usually have a golden brown color around the edges and a lighter, but set, center. Undercooked cookies may look pale and doughy. Then comes the texture. A fully cooked cookie will be firmer around the edges and will have a slight resistance when pressed in the center. If the cookie feels too soft, wet, or collapses under light pressure, it may be undercooked. Let’s finish with the edges. The edges of a done cookie will be slightly crisp or firm, indicating it’s cooked through. If the edges are still soft and dough-like, it needs more time in the oven.
Oh, one more thing. It's also important to let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes after removing them from the oven, as they will continue to cook slightly from the residual heat.
With all that, you should be good to know when a cookie is cooked, or if it needs some more time in the oven.
What was the next question again? Right, it was:
Is it safe to eat an undercooked or slightly undercooked cookie?
Well, not really, no. The issue depends on the ingredients used. For example, cookies containing eggs or other ingredients that can be harmful if not fully cooked should be avoided. Raw or undercooked eggs can contain salmonella, bacteria that can cause food poisoning. Another ingredient to be careful with is flour, which can harbor harmful bacteria like E. coli.
Ok, the last question was…
Is it safe to put undercooked cookies back into the oven?
Yes, you can, as long as they haven’t been left out at room temperature for a long time, especially in a warm or hot environment, because there's a risk that bacteria could grow on them. If the cookies have only been out for a short period and haven't been exposed to high temperatures, you can safely finish baking them later. The key is to ensure they haven't been sitting out for too long (ideally not more than a couple of hours) and that you bake them thoroughly when you're ready to finish them, to kill any potential bacteria. So, if your cookies are undercooked and you let them sit for a day before realizing it, don’t take any risks and throw them away.
The conclusion of all this is not to eat undercooked cookies and that it’s safe to bake them if they haven’t been out for more than a couple of hours in a warm temperature.
One last thing. You can also purposely undercook cookies so you can freeze them and bake them at the last minute when you want fresh cookies. Here’s how to do it:
Cool Completely: Ensure the undercooked cookies are completely cool before freezing (Less than 1 hour to prevent formation of any bacteria). This prevents steam and condensation, which can lead to freezer burn or soggy cookies when thawed.
Separate Layers: Place a sheet of parchment or wax paper between layers of cookies to prevent them from sticking together. This makes it easier to remove individual cookies later.
Airtight Container: Use an airtight container or freezer bag to store the cookies. Removing as much air as possible from the bag or container helps prevent freezer burn.
Label: Write the date on the container or bag so you can keep track of how long the cookies have been in the freezer. Properly stored, undercooked cookies can last in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Freeze: Place the cookies in the freezer. If using a bag, try to lay it flat so the cookies freeze individually without sticking together.
When you're ready to bake the cookies, you can bake them directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the original baking time to ensure they cook through completely. This method keeps the cookies safe and preserves their quality until you're ready to finish baking them.
Hope I answered all of your questions.
Happy Baking!
Pamela
