Homemade vs. Store-Bought Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

For many of us, the sweet smell of baked goods cooking in our childhood kitchen almost always meant slice-and-bake cookies were baking in the oven. While this certainly depended on the individual household, homemade cookies simply meant pre-made store-bought dough. Even though the past 10 years has seen a resurgence of the make-it-fresh home cook, slice-and-bake packaged cookies are still popular in many kitchens.

But have you ever wondered how that cookie dough stays good for so long and how the cookies are able to spread just right? If you stopped and took a look at the list of ingredients you might be surprised by what you find. The list is significantly longer and more varied than what we use in the homemade variety. So, we at Kitchen Daily did some investigating to get to the bottom of what exactly we're eating when we indulged in these pre-made treats.

Vanillin
You've probably seen this ingredient listed on food items more times than you can count. But with a spelling so visually similar to the well-known spice vanilla, most times people see them as one and the same. And as the name suggests, there is a similarity between the two, but vanillin and vanilla are most definitely not the same ingredient.

Vanillin is an artificial vanilla flavor. Since vanilla is in such high demand -- found in nearly every sweet treat -- and is so expensive, many food companies have turned to the use of vanillin. Ice cream and chocolate make up 75 percent of the vanillin market. The artificial ingredient used to be made from clove oil, but is now mainly derived from guaiacol (a petrochemical) or lignin (a constituent of wood and a byproduct of the pulp industry). In other words, vanillin is made from wood or petroleum. Vanillin is also used in perfumes, medicines and wine.

While vanillin is not toxic when present in our foods (though it may trigger migraines for those who are prone to them), it's not exactly harmless to humans. Those who work with this product in bulk have to take certain precautions. It can be harmful if inhaled or absorbed through the skin, or can be an irritant to eyes. One site recommends that if inhaled and breathing becomes difficult, oxygen should be provided. While this may be a normal precaution while dealing with processed food, it's not one that has to be taken with real vanilla.

Partially Hydrogenated (Palm Kernel and Cottonseed) Oil
As we previously outlined, partially hydrogenated vegetable oils -- which contain trans fats -- have been identified as a worst offender for some time now. Trans fats have been linked to increased risks of coronary heart disease and some studies have also suggested that it can elevate the risk of diabetes, obesity and Alzheimer's -- just a couple of maladies off the long list of health issues resulting from trans fat consumption.

Palm oil and palm kernel oil has been linked to health problems and environmental issues. Palm oil is extremely high in saturated fats, and palm kernel oil, which is the oil from the seed of the palm fruit, is even higher in saturated fats. While palm oil contains roughly 50 percent saturated fat and 50 percent unsaturated, palm kernel oil contains a whopping 82 percent saturated fat.

Cottonseed oil also pops up in store-bought cookie dough, usually in the partially hydrogenated form. As the name suggests, it's the oil extracted from the seed of the cotton plant. Cotton is one of the big four genetically modified crops (the other three being soy, corn and canola). Cottonseed oil has to undergo treatment to extract gossypol from the oil because its consumption has the ability to produce undesirable side-effects. Some worry that cottonseed oil also contains unacceptably high levels of pesticides since cotton is not registered as a food crop and therefore pesticides and chemicals are not as stictly regulated.

Feeling inspired to avoid the above skeptical ingredients? Click through the slideshow below and get ideas for real, homemade chocolate-chip cookies. If you like to have cookies on hand that are ready to be baked, you can shape and freeze the dough for later. That way, when you have a craving or need, you can just bake up however many you desire.

How do you feel about pre-made cookie dough? Leave a comment below.

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• Spelt Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies

  If you're looking to lower your wheat intake, replacing all-purpose flour with spelt is a good option. This recipe uses half wheat and half spelt flour -- and still has a great taste and soft, chewy texture. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/spelt-flour-chocolate-chi_n_1056846.html" target="_hplink">Spelt Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies</a> recipe</strong>

• Double-Chip Cookies

  Mixing savory and sweet is not a new concept, but it has been taken to a whole new level in this recipe. The double-chip cookie calls for one part chocolate chips and one part potato chips. Two of our favorite foods mixed together in a cookie -- this is a trend we hope is here to stay. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/double-chip-cookies_n_1056922.html" target="_hplink">Double-Chip Cookies</a> recipe</strong>

• Salted Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

  Peanut butter and chocolate is a combination that has won over millions. Adding the sugary richness of a cookie makes this a sure-fire hit for any occasion. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/salted-chocolate-chip-pea_n_1062598.html" target="_hplink">Salted Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cup Cookies</a> recipe</strong>

• Chocolate-Chocolate Cookies

  As rich and chocolatey as the fudgiest of brownies, yet with the texture of a perfectly moist cookie, this recipe is for those of us who can never get enough chocolate. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/12/chocolate-chocolate-cooki_n_1144275.html" target="_hplink">Chocolate-Chocolate Cookies</a> recipe</strong>

• Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

  Every home cook should have a go-to chocolate chip recipe they can turn to in a pinch. If you don't have one yet, this may just be the recipe to take that role. Chocolate chunks are used along with chocolate curls or shavings. The chocolate curls melt into the dough, creating threads of chocolate throughout. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/milk--cookies-bakery-cla_n_1061341.html" target="_hplink">Milk & Cookies Bakery Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies</a> recipe</strong>

• EatingWell Chocolate Chip Cookies

  Looking for a healthy chocolate-chip cookie recipe? This one is a winner. It uses oats and whole-wheat flour in place of white all-purpose. The use of honey, along with brown sugar, significantly cuts down the amount of sugar in the recipe. And it still has all the flavor you're looking for to satisfy your sweet tooth. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/eatingwell-chocolate-chip_n_1062544.html" target="_hplink">EatingWell Chocolate Chip Cookies</a> recipe</strong>

• Double Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chewie

  A soft chocolate cookie, with big peanut butter flavor. The recipe uses not only peanut butter but also peanut-butter chips, making sure that every bite will have a taste of both chocolate and peanuts. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/double-peanut-butter-choc_n_1062049.html" target="_hplink">Double Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chewies</a> recipe</strong>

• Ganache-Stuffed Chocolate-Chip Cookies

  While these cookies may require an extra step than most chocolate chip cookie recipes, it's well worth your time and effort. Sandwiching freshly baked cookies with chocolate ganache just might be the best way to enjoy this type of cookie. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/27/ganache-stuffed-chocolate_n_1058402.html" target="_hplink">Ganache-Stuffed Chocolate-Chip Cookies</a> recipe</strong>

• Thousand-Layer Chocolate Chip Cookies

  This recipe is not the one you turn to if you want a cookie in a hurry. No, this cookie requires time and patience. But if you want a chocolate-chip cookie that is full of chocolate flavor, this is the recipe you're looking for. <strong>Get the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/09/thousand-layer-chocolate-_n_1266389.html" target="_hplink">Thousand-Layer Chocolate Chip Cookies</a> recipe</strong>

• WATCH: How To Freeze Chocolate Chip Cookies

Comments

[HollylouiseHill]

12:06 PM on 03/14/2012

Coming soon....
www.sweetleetreats.com

[fredgladys]

07:22 PM on 03/08/2012

I make cookie dough from scratch as the recipients prefer it. Make a couple of batches and after resting the dough in the frig for half an hour, make rolls out of dough, wrap in plastic, place some in the frig and some in the freezer. It's easy, cheaper, better tasting and you can be reasonably sure of the quality of the ingredients.

[crrunch]

07:17 PM on 03/08/2012

If you can't pronounce it, you probably shouldn't eat it. Store dough tastes noting like the real thing, not even a close second.

[Jean Troop]

07:08 PM on 03/08/2012

yippy

[Rae Downing]

06:00 PM on 03/08/2012

I think there's definitely a way to have all the snacks, desserts and junk food in your life that you want without any of it being detriment. Eat all of those type of foods you want but only as often as you make each one entirely from scratch. Suddenly the French fries and chocolate chip cookies or potato chips aren't nearly worth the amount of work required. But you know what --- they taste better and you'll definitely eat far less and be all the healthier for it.

[rebellah]

05:51 PM on 03/08/2012

I have bought name brand as well as store brand pre done cookie dough. For a quick dozen warm ooey gooey goodness cant beat them. Home made is good too.. get more cookies. Its the conveince l like.. but one can freeze home made cookie dough to have when the yen for cookies strikes.

[plasmaorb]

01:21 PM on 03/08/2012

Most people dont even use good chocolate in their cookies. Nestles is so blah tasting. Callabaud chocolate chips are really good, but you pay a bit more for them. Your finished product is only as good as the ingredients you put into it.

[k535panther]

02:37 PM on 03/08/2012

Thanks for the heads up...

[Rae Downing]

06:01 PM on 03/08/2012

Always homemade from scratch for me and my family. Good in, good out.

[Erin Rounds]

10:27 AM on 03/08/2012

I'm single, gain weight pretty easily and have no impulse control, so making a batch of cookies is dangerous. HOWEVER, I read the last roll of Pillsbury peanut butter cookies. There was a warning not to eat the dough raw. Since I have no impulse control, I ate maybe 1/3rd of the roll. Maybe it was psychosomatic, but I puked. Time in the bathroom continued into the next day. If I can't eat it raw, eating it cooked might be sketchy, too.

[plasmaorb]

01:16 PM on 03/08/2012

Sounds like you need some help... no offense.

[bbh907]

02:11 PM on 03/08/2012

Not supposed to eat raw cookie,commercial or home made.Commercial has all of the extra ingredients and home made has raw eggs.

[mjr91]

07:30 PM on 03/08/2012

Spoilsport. Cookie dough and cake batter exist to be snacked on, beaters cleaned by kids, etc. Good, cleaned raw eggs will kill no one.

And yeah, I still cook my eggs soft. Because overcooked tastes like dreck.

[Panzers Mom]

08:50 AM on 03/08/2012

I don't buy pre-mixed pre-made doughs of any kind. My strategy for being able to produce baked goods on demand for my family is to bake half the batch at a time, form the rest of the dough into a log and wrap first in parchment paper, then in foil, label and toss in the freezer. I do this with breads, rolls, and other items. It saves money, time, and I know exactly what my family is eating.

[Patty Shenker]

09:58 PM on 03/07/2012

Palm oil is an unhealthy, unenvironmental saturated oil used in so many of our products. As bad as it may be for us humans, it is causing the imminent extinction of many animals, among them, our cousins, the orangutans. Please avoid palm oil and save these magnificent animals & the forests who they and we desperately need to thrive on this planet!

[Mark Dygert]

09:32 PM on 03/07/2012

I don't know what it is but I get the worst heartburn when I eat pre-made cookies, I also get it from other pre-made dough products and I rarely get heartburn.

No problem if I make things from scratch.

[seeksthetruth]

05:03 PM on 03/07/2012

Chocolate chip cookies are easy to make and taste so much better than store-bought. I also don't understand why people buy pancake mix, etc. when it is so simple to make the batter.

Given the small amount of vanilla used in a recipe that yields a couple dozen cookies, the cost savings has to be minimal. Anything to increase profits, even if it is harmful to consumers.

[DevRock]

04:51 PM on 03/07/2012

The more I read about food on this site, the more I'm leaning towards doing absolutely EVERYTHING myself. Ugh....

[Donna Davis]

04:41 PM on 03/07/2012

Seriously folks, it only takes about 15 minutes to make the dough for the cookies and 7 to 10 minutes to bake. Chocolate chip cookies are extremely easy to make. You can even make them healthier by substituting un-sweetened applesauce for butter/shortening and using one egg plus one egg white. I do it all the time and you can’t tell the difference!

[plasmaorb]

01:19 PM on 03/08/2012

I beg to differ... applesauce doesnt give it the flavor of butter. Plus it takes longer than 15 minutes to make. Unless you dont cream your butter and sugar together.. oh yeah... you dont use butter.
Butter is essential for baking.. not just for taste but for texture and how it looks when finished.

[Stephen Thorpe]

04:35 PM on 03/07/2012

It's time for folks to go back to making things from scratch. All of our instant, out of the box, ready in 10 minutes easy bake goods make one wonder; what's in it?

Basic baking is easy, it only requires a few ingredients. But when you learn the industrial bakers are using wood pulp or saw dust as filler in your bread??? GIVE ME A BREAK!!!

Like McD's and the non-beef beef burgers made from animal parts that are not meat and submerging it in ammonia in the process,..a product that produces a pink slime guew. Then they form that into a patty. Serve it up as meat. Nice.