DOUGH FAQs & TIPS
1. How can I enjoy Variant Nutrition protein cookie dough mix?
Enjoy Variant Nutrition protein cookie dough mix by simply adding the appropriate amount of water and mixing. Once mixed, you can enjoy it as raw cookie dough or bake it in the oven. Our protein cookie dough mixes are versatile and can be used to create a variety of desserts.
2. How is Variant Nutrition protein cookie dough safe to eat raw?
Variant Nutrition mixes are made from a proprietary blend of proteins: peanut flour, whey and casein protein powders, providing a flavorful, slighty nutty taste, and safe-to-eat raw cookie dough. We also use pasteurized and heat-dried powdered egg whites, eliminating the risk of salmonella.
3. How much water do I add to make my cookie dough?
Refer to the directions on the back of your mix package for precise water measurements. Start with the directed amount of water and gradually add 1 tbsp if the mix is too dry. Adjust until you achieve the desired cookie dough texture.
Some high altitude bakers may need to add more water. Please adjust as needed.
4. How much water do I add in cups?
The amount of water required for Variant Nutrition mixes varies by flavor. For most mixes, you should add 5 tablespoons of water. To simplify, that's equivalent to 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon of water.
5. How long do I bake my cookies?
For the best results, bake our cookies at 350 degrees for 6 to 8 minutes on parchment paper or a silicone mat. The ideal cookies start to brown on the bottom with a soft, gooey center. Baking times may vary based on batch size and oven type.
6. How long does it take to bake 7 larger cookies, rather than 14 cookies?
When making larger cookies, baking time may vary depending on your oven and temperatures. Keep a close eye on your cookies to prevent burning.
7. I took my cookies out after 8 minutes and they were still weren't done. Should I put them back in and bake longer?
Protein cookies will continue to bake on the cookie sheet after removal from the oven. It's perfectly fine for them to have a slightly underbaked center (still safe to eat raw!) as they will firm up more while cooling down. It's better to take your cookies out of the oven early than risk burning them in the oven.
8. What if I want to make only half the bag?
The provided information is based on making/baking a full bag of protein cookie dough mix for 14 cookies. If you're making smaller batches, adjust the amount of water in your recipe and adapt your cooking time accordingly.
9. What if I don't have parchment paper or a silicone mat?
To prevent burnt cookie bottoms, use a lighter gray or heavy dull-aluminum nonstick baking sheet. Bake cookies at a lower heat and ensure the oven rack is placed in the center for optimal heat circulation. Keep a close eye on your cookies while they are baking.
10. Why do Variant Nutrition protein cookies cook so fast?
Our protein cookie dough mixes do not contain baking flour; they consist of whey and casein protein powder, which cooks faster than flour. Watch your cookies closely, as overbaking can result in burnt cookies.
11. How do I get round cookies?
Scoop out 14 cookies using a cookie scoop and use these methods to achieve a cookie shape:
Use your hand to flatten and shape your cookies.
Lightly press dough balls in the center with a fork.
Take a cookie cutter and place it around your dough ball. Begin to flatten the dough within the cookie cutter.
12. How can I make my cookie dough less sticky?
If you want to work with your dough immediately, wet your hands or utensils with a small amount of water. This will prevent the dough from sticking to you, but you may need to reapply water as you work. If you can wait a bit, place your dough in the fridge for half an hour before baking. The cookie dough will be more manageable to mold after chilling.
13. Once made, can I store the cookie dough/cookies for later?
Variant Nutrition cookie dough and cookies are best consumed freshly prepared. If you need to store them, refrigerate cookie dough covered for up to two weeks. Note that the dough may recrystallize and dry out slightly due to the use of sugar substitutes. Baked cookies can be stored in a sealed container on the counter for up to a week; the texture should remain soft and airy.
14. My cookie dough has been in the fridge for a week and is dry and crumbly, can I still eat it raw?
Yes, you can still eat the crumbly dough raw, but it will lack the typical cookie dough texture. To restore moisture and flavor, you can make your cookie dough creamier by adding water, yogurt, milk, butter, using it in oatmeal, or similar methods.
15. My cookie dough has been in the fridge for a week, can I still bake it?
Yes, you can still bake the cookie dough after storing it in the fridge, but allow the cookie dough to sit at room temperature for half an hour before baking. If the cookie dough is dry and crumbly, add a bit of moisture to achieve a better cookie texture.
16. What are the nutrition facts?
Nutrition facts vary by mix, but Variant Nutrition protein cookie dough is high in protein, lower in calories than traditional cookie mixes, and free from gluten ingredients. You can find the nutrition facts for each cookie on our shop page.
17. What are the macros on Variant Nutrition mixes?
Macros vary by mix, but on average, a serving (2 cookies) of Variant Nutrition macros include about 100 calories, 9g of protein, 20g of carbs, and 3g of fat per serving. Check the labels for specific macro breakdowns.
18. What are the ingredients?
The ingredient list varies by mix, but the main ingredients generally include a Protein Blend (Peanut Flour, Casein Powder, and Whey Isolate Protein Powder), Monk Fruit/Erythritol, Butter, Coconut Flour, Oat Fiber, Egg White Powder, Pumpkin Powder, Non-Fat Dry Milk, Himalayan Salt, and Baking Soda. For the full list of ingredients for each cookie mix, visit our shop page.
19. How many cookies are in a package?
There are 7 servings in each Variant Nutrition protein cookie dough mix making 14 cookies. Once prepared, each cookie weighs around 19g to 25g, depending on the flavor.
20. Do Variant Nutrition mixes expire?
The expiration dates for Variant Nutrition protein cookie dough mixes may vary based on the ingredients used. In general, it's recommended to use them within 6 months of purchase.
21. Can you add other ingredients to Variant Nutrition mixes?
Absolutely! You can customize your cookies by adding more chocolate chips, raisins, nuts, or sugar to mix things up and fit your lifestyle
22. What about adding a different wet ingredient instead of water?
Experiment and create your own variants by adding ingredients like peanut butter, applesauce, Greek yogurt, almond milk, etc. Water is the preferred liquid due to its ease and zero calories, but using another wet ingredient will alter texture, cooking time, and taste. Share your creations with us on Instagram @VariantNutrition, and connect with us at info@variantnutrition.com to let us know how your experiment turned out.
23. What if I forget to flatten the cookies before baking?
If you forget to flatten the cookies before baking, don't worry! Your protein cookie balls will puff up a bit and maintain a spherical shape with an extra doughy center. While they are still warm, use a spatula to flatten them on your parchmant paper.
24. Can the mix be microwaved?
Sure can! The best way to microwave the protein cookie mix is to take a serving size of the mix and add 2 tablespoons of water to a bowl. You'll want the mix to have a slightly wetter consistency, similar to cake batter, before microwaving. Heat and eat!
25. How is the product made?
There are no secrets here! All Variant Nutrition protein cookie dough mixes are manufactured in an FDA-regulated kitchen that mandates sanitation measures between the creation and packaging of EACH of our flavors. These precautions are taken to minimize the risk of trace contamination from allergens. Our products are mixed, weighed, and hand-scooped by our team to guarantee the most accurate macros in each bag of Variant Nutrition protein cookie dough mix.
