Do You Let Your Children Eat the Chocolate Cookie Dough or Lick the Spoon

Funny, I was just thinking about his last night when I made a cake. I have not actually introduced this idea to my son, though I've always done it and did last night as well. I'm relieved to know that so many other moms let their kids lick the spoon. I was under the impression that no one got within 3 feet of raw eggs anymore. Personally, I think we Americans have gotten a little over paranoid about some things recently (myself included). Thanks for the question.

My kids have been licking the spoon since they knew what chocolate was. They are 5 and 8 and have never gotten sick. I say lick away!

I would let them lick the spoon.
When I was little my mother used to make us "Orange Julius" She would take orange juice, milk and raw eggs and blend them up so they were nice and frothy. They were very good and I am still here. Personally I don't think I could drink that now but I definitely let my daughter lick the spoon.

You betcha! Our 11-year-old son and I love it! I'm 48 and have never gotten sick from it. And, dare I confess, we sometimes make a batch of cookie dough and then freeze it with the intention of eating it frozen, never hitting the oven or even intending to.

On the other hand, my husband won't touch the stuff. He thinks its gross. Perhaps it's because he lived in Jordan for a year and Somalia for a year. Or maybe it has absolutely nothing to do with that. My sister-in-law, from a different family than my husband's, grew up in Malaysia and won't touch anything with raw eggs in it.

So, our house is split on it. I say, go for it. But don't just let the cookie dough sit around in warm temperatures for a long time.

Enjoy!

Hi F.,

I love your question. I have a gourmet cookies business and have enjoyed baking with my kids since they were barely old enough to walk. When we're baking for family and friends (not for my work) I let them lick the spatula. I've caught them many times sneaking bites of cookie dough. If it's wrong than I guess I'm guilty as charged. I'm sure there must be a slight chance of getting sick but I couldn't imagine not letting them do it. I'm sure there will be plenty of people who feel otherwise.

-C.

lol who hasn't eaten raw cookie dough. Plus, in such small amounts (assuming) they should be fine. I,personally, wouldn't allow them to wash it down with milk, maybe water....
Hey, if we do it, why can't they! enjoy! and get the milk out once they are cooked and dunk baby dunk!

Hi F. -

go ahead & let those kids indulge! there really is nothing wrong with having a little raw cookie dough or cake/brownie batter AT ALL!!!! We all did it PLENTY OF TIMES & lived - lol seriously - my kids (especially fall/winter/holidays) have more than a taste (just like the rest of us in the house - along with whatever family member/friend is here) & we all lived. I've NEVER in my life heard of a child getting sick or dying from having a little cookie dough every so often. I have so many photos of my kids liking cake batter-filled spoons, and brownie mix-covered bowls!

enjoy those cookies & other sweets!

I haven't read the other responses yet, so someone else may have already said this, but this was the same dilemma that I had. I always remember the joy of "licking the bowl" with cake batter, and wanted my kids to have the same joy. Then a friend told me she uses "egg starters" or some generic brand - you know, the liquid eggs (supposedly healthier for you). The main thing is that they are pasteurized - so no worry! They can lick away without any fears. And I haven't noticed any difference in taste when baking (even though the ingredients list claims to include some other things, like onion powder,etc. - it must be very very small amounts, because I am sensitive to the taste of that stuff, but didn't notice it at all when baking. Of course another option is the "slice and bake" type chocolate chip cookies. That dough is certainly safe to eat, and the Nestle Toll House brand tastes as good as any home-made cookie I've ever had (and even my 85 year-old mil who LOVES to bake says so too). Happy Baking!

Risk is ultimately subjective, but... There is ***far more*** salmonella in chicken eggs now then there was in the 60s, so use your judgement.
Modern poultry practices have led to salmonella being almost ubiquitous in hen houses.
Personally, I lick the spoon.

When I was a kid we would make cake and cookie dough putting the eggs in last - they seemed to still turn out great and that way we could eat the dough up until the end without worrying about salmonella. Egg subsitutes are another option (that cookie batter gets pretty dry if you don't add the eggs until the end but as a kid I didn't care).

If you are going to let your kids lick the spoon, one way to reduce your chances of getting salmonella poisoning is to wash the eggs thoroughly with soap and water before you crack them open - usually the salmonella is on the shell.

Yes.I'm guilty of this simple pleasure but I am careful about the amount-the salmonella is always in the back of my mind.It's one of my greatest childhood memories.

When I was young I did taste the raw cookie dough or lick the cake batter, and sometimes I still do, but, I do not let my kids do it!!! Interesting question!!

We're another family who licks. I'm much more strict about the double dipping...it's one lick...than about the little bit of eggs.

I grew up inthe 60's also and Never had a problem, I now let my sone lick all batter and no one I know has ever had a problem either. I am sure there are stories out there and soemone will always 'know' of someone who was sick..but look at the tomato and spinach stories that were this past year..no one has recalled cookie dough and think of all of the college students who survive

I do not knwo when this all started, I recall the 1st hearings of it, but I did not have kids and I eat the stuff myself.

Eat away!

I grew up licking spoons and beaters as well with no problems...
Now that I have chickens our eggs are not only fresh but from healthy hens. While I've never been sick from dough or batter (made with battery hen eggs) I'm not the least bit worried about it with our fresh eggs. So yes, I let our 2 year old lick the spoon and we both enjoy the bowl scrapings!

I let mine eat it & lick spoons or beaters. My husband hates it!

If you are worried, I think you can buy patuerized eggs now. I'm not quite sure what the process is, but they are much safer. I think it is only one in 20,000 eggs that may have trace samonella in it (sp?). Athletes guzzle down raw eggs all the time, so I'm not sure if there is a great risk. We used to eat raw batter all the time when we were kids. I'm betting that one lick of batter isn't going to hurt a kid with a good immune system, but I'm really not sure. There is probably a greater risk of getting sick from undercooked chicken or samonella from other sources, especially at restaurants from cross contamination. If the batter is fresh and the eggs were refigerated there is less risk, if you let the batter sit around and warm up, the bacteria will grow and multiply, that is how people get sick from salads, etc.

I found this on ... http://whatscookingamerica.net/Eggs/RawEggs.htm

One of several types of bacteria which can cause food poisoning (salmonellosis) if ingested in large numbers. It is found in the intestinal tract of animals, birds, insects, reptiles, seafood, and people. The bacteria can easily be passed from the intestinal tract to the hands and onto food.

Although the inside of the egg was once considered almost sterile, Salmonella enteritidis (Se) has been found recently inside a small number of eggs (much less than 1%). If an egg does contain Se, the numbers in a freshly laid egg probably will be small and, if the eggs are properly refrigerated, will not multiply enough to cause illness in a healthy person.

The majority of salmonellosis outbreaks have been attributed to foods other than eggs—chicken, beef, and fish—to human carriers, and through them, utensils and other foods during preparation. Of the outbreaks involving eggs, almost all have occurred in the foodservice sector and have been the result of inadequate refrigeration and insufficient cooking.

Se will not grow at temperatures below 40ºF. and is killed at 160ºF., known as the danger zone, are ideal for rapid growth.

Illness from Se can be avoided through adequate refrigeration, proper cooking and sanitary kitchen and food handling procedures

The difference with children and adults is that we have developed our immune systems. While I love eating raw brownie dough, I do not encourage my young one to do it. My mother always let my sister and I eat the cake batter of the mixer prongs. You'll probably just have to let them try and see from there. ~M.~

let them lick! as long as theyre not eating gobs and gobs of it, theyre fine! Just like you said, weve been doing it for years!!!! We can only protect them from so much...

Go for it! I did it all the time as a child in the 1960s amnd I still do it, and I let my kids have tastes too. It tastes even better than cookies and I think the risk is very small.

I love it so much I can't deny them. Though I would like to keep it for myself. Yes I let my children lick the spoon, beaters, bowl and even have the dough, though only a small portion.
H.

Find vegan recipes and let them lick away....!!!!

c'mon kids gotta be kids - what better memory of baking of with you than the one of licking the mixing spoon?! Just keep the eggs always refrigerated, and watch for belly aches of any kind. Rocky used to drink eggs, remember?!

Hi F.,

I let my 5 1/2 year old have some that is left over on the spoon. I am not giving her spoonfuls of it by any means and she knows that once what is left over on the spoon is gone, that is it and there is no more until it's baked and done. :) I do not think that little amounts would be harmful, although I am not an expert. She has been doing this since she has been old enough to bake with me and it's her "special treat" after her hard work of helping me out. :) I remember too as a kid and it wasn't that long ago and I used to actually eat cookie dough raw right out of the tube and I never once got ill. I think letting your kids have a little taste is perfectly fine and normal.

All the time. My chldren are 4.5 year old twins and an 18 month old. They fight over the batter with their dad. I grew up licking batter and bowl and turned out alright. I don't see any harm in it. my husband and kids sure love the treat.

My feelings on it is that although there is some risk, it's an acceptably small risk to me for something I know my kids love to do. If a child had a weakened immune system, (even just recovering from a cold) I would tell him not today; but in general I allow it.

Of course! One of my best memories as a kid. Lick away!

Oh F., good lord let them lick the spoon!!! Isn't that half the fun of baking????? And how many people have you met that got salmanilla poisoning from licking the batter bowl??? My motto, "If it was done to me as a child, (other than not being in a car seat of course), and I turned out ok (at least I think I am -- teacher with a masters degree, wife and mom of 2 and 3 year old). My kids love licking the bowl!! enjoy!!
L. C.

I dont find a problem with a little taste. As most other posters admitt, been there done that. I dont make alot of cakes and cookies but the occational times I do I let my little guy lick. My oldest would NEVER do it because he finds it repulsive..go figure!

I lick the batter off the bowl (usually not scraping the bowl too thoroughly so I leave myself an extra treat!) and, my daughter will too just as soon as she's able!

Go for it, it's one of the joys of being a kid (and being old enough to use the oven!)

i let my daughter have a little taste..its hard not too when you yourself do it :) I let her have one little gob of raw cookie dough, not even enough for the smallest cookie but its a taste!