Accidentally adding too much baking soda to a batch of cookies can have some undesirable effects on the taste and texture of the cookies, but it is unlikely to make you seriously ill. However, consuming cookies with too much baking soda might cause some temporary discomfort or digestive issues for some individuals. Here's what you might expect:
Taste and Texture: Baking soda is a leavening agent, and using too much of it can cause cookies to spread excessively and become thin and flat. Additionally, it can leave a bitter or soapy taste in the cookies.
Digestive Discomfort: Consuming an excessive amount of baking soda can lead to stomach upset, gas, bloating, and diarrhea for some people. The reaction between baking soda and stomach acid can produce carbon dioxide, causing discomfort.
To minimize the impact and make the cookies more palatable, you could try the following:
Dilute the batch: If possible, you can try doubling the recipe (without adding more baking soda) to balance out the excessive baking soda in the original batch.
Add more ingredients: If the dough allows it, you can add more flour, sugar, or other ingredients to increase the overall volume of the dough and dilute the baking soda.
Bake a test cookie: Before baking the entire batch, bake a single cookie to see how it turns out. Adjust the recipe or the cookie size accordingly if needed.
Let it rest: In some cases, letting the dough rest in the refrigerator for a few hours can help mitigate the effects of excessive baking soda.
In any case, if you or anyone else experiences significant discomfort or adverse reactions after eating the cookies, it's best to avoid consuming more of them and seek medical advice if needed. If the cookies turn out to be too unpleasant to eat, it's better to discard them and try the recipe again with the correct measurements.