I know I wasn’t the only one who would try to sneak some raw cookie dough before the pan went into the oven as a child, and I know I’m not the only one who still does it. 

Cookie dough is a snack loved by many people, but it is unsafe to eat. Because it contains raw egg, which could cause salmonella, it’s deemed very unhealthy to eat before it has been cooked. Fortunately, with the new addition–a new place to eat–to Woodland Mall called Dough Life, we no longer have to feel guilty for indulging in this tasty treat. 

And making this tasty treat at home is a hassle and can be time-consuming. It’s an arduous process that requires following directions, waiting for a certain length of time, and having to clean up your mess when you’re finished. At Dough Life, all the work is taken out of the process, and you only have to worry about the tasty end result. 

Upon walking into the store, my friend and I glanced over the menu. There were many flavors: a selection varying anywhere from strawberry cheesecake to americano. Before I even had a chance to think about what I might order, we were offered a free sample from the man behind the counter. I tasted peanut butter, salted caramel, and M&M—which all were definitely delicious. After a brief vacillation, I chose the M&M flavor. 

The worker who gave us the samples was very polite and eager to help and was excited about the product.

I paid around $4.50 for a small size, which I thought was slightly overpriced. In comparison to getting ice cream, the portion size was fairly small to pay almost $5 as it was only a small cup.

Glancing around the quaint shop, I saw only two high-top tables, constituting a very minimal selection of seating. The interior was pretty bland, with a lot of empty standing space. So, I walked outside to the Starbucks next door, which offered much more seating, to eat.

The location of the store was very strategic, in my opinion. Hungry and tired shoppers are tempted by the mouthwatering smells, drawing them in. Inside the mall is a convenient, centralized, and busy location. 

After finding a seat, I took my first bite. The flavor of the dough was very enjoyable. I also appreciated the dough-to-topping ratio of it: not too much of each. The texture of the dough was moist, but not sticky like raw cookie dough can be.

Typically when indulging in raw cookie dough, a foul aftertaste follows each bite; however, with this cookie dough, there was only a pleasant echo. Sometimes desserts can be sweet when eating them but leave a displeasing aftertaste; but, Dough Life was fulfilling all the way through and left me feeling satisfied when finished. 

Another satisfying element was that it did not fill me up nor was it too heavy or rich to eat as cookie dough can be; it was the perfect amount for a snack or dessert.

In the end, while the environment of the shop itself was lacking and it may have been slightly expensive, my time at Dough Life offered a yummy treat, and I would recommend it to all of my fellow cookie dough lovers out there. Without the health risk or effort required in making cookie dough in the comfort of your own home, Dough Life is a delicious and worthy alternative.