A: Most cookie dough frosting recipes (without eggs) would meet the water activity requirements for the cottage food law (≤ 0.85). Two batches of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Frosting were tested in a cottage foods class, (one with half-n-half and one with water). Both tested as non-potentially hazardous.
- Recipe w/ half-half = 0.80 water activity
- Recipe w/ water = 0.81 water activity
These unofficial test results. However, it appears cookie dough frosting (without eggs) and enough sugar is allowable cottage food product. Remember, allowable foods must meet the non-potentially hazardous standards: Water activity ≤ 0.85 OR pH ≤ 4.6.
Ingredients in the recipe tested for water activity:
- butter, 6 oz.
- powdered sugar, 2 cups
- brown sugar, 1/2 cup
- milk, cream half-n-half or water, 3 TBSP
- vanilla extract, 1 tsp
- mini chocolate chips, 3/4 cup
- flour, ½ cup (Very important: Raw flour is not a ready-to eat food. Because this frosting will be eaten without a cook step, use commercial heat treated or treated flour. Look for these terms on the package. There is not proven or validated technique to heat treat flour at home. The DIY recipes you find on the Internet or in magazines are not proven or validated techniques.)
Recipe source: Melskitchencafe.com
