Using cookie cutters is one of the easiest and fastest ways to create themed cutout cookies without having to manually cut out the shapes. In fact, there are a lot of cookie cutter shapes out there to help you create virtually any design you can imagine.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to use cookie cutters to help you create the perfect cookies for all kinds of occasions.
Which are the Best Cookie Cutters to Use?
You can find cookie cutters in pretty much every size, shape, and material imaginable. In this section, we’ll talk about how to bake cookies using cookie cutters to help you create cookies that look equally as good as they taste.
What is the Best Metal for Cookie Cutters?
Two of the most widely used metals for cookie cutters are aluminum and stainless steel. Aluminum cookie cutters are lightweight but they can be easily deformed when too much force is applied to them.
On the other hand, stainless steel is a little heavier but it’s very durable and doesn’t deform easily. Since both metals do not rust, you can invest in either one because they can last for a very long time.
Other Tools for Cutout Cookies
Cookie cutters, when used together with other baking tools, can help you create different cookie designs that will surely impress your guests. Here are some of the best baking tools that you can use with cookie cutters:
Use rolling pins to roll out the dough and ensure that it’s smooth and even. Make sure to buy a rolling pin that has an ergonomic handle, as this will help keep your arms and back free of pain. You should also invest in a non-stick rolling pin to achieve a more flawless dough surface.
To decorate your cookies with intricate patterns and designs, cookie stencils are a great option. You simply have to press the stencil on top of the cookies to transfer the design to the cookie dough.
Powdered sugar in baking is also perfect for decorating as you can simply sprinkle them on top of the stencil and the design will be transferred to the cookies.
How to Use Cookie Cutters?
Using cookie cutters is a fun way to make decorative cookies for different holidays and parties. Whether you’re making cookies for every day or preparing for a special event, it’s important to keep the following things in mind. These instructions focus specifically on how to use cookie cutters.
- Choose the Right Cookie Recipe
The best cookie dough for cookie cutters is sugar cookie dough. It’s soft and doesn’t crumble, which means that you can create the most intricate shapes and designs without worrying about the cookie breaking apart.
Plus, it contains just the right amount of rising agents so your cutouts will keep their design even after baking. This makes sugar cookies the best cookies for cookie cutters.
- Roll Out Cookie Dough Like a Pro
If you’re making sugar cookies and you need to create cookie shapes with intricate designs, it’s best to roll out the cookie dough at about 1/4 inch thick. If your dough is too thick, you might find yourself struggling to get the shape you want. But if your dough is too thin, it won’t be able to hold its shape, which could result in your cookies cracking.
- Cut Out Your Cookie Shapes
Once your dough has been rolled out to 1/4 inch thickness, simply choose the cookie cutter of your choice, press it firmly on the dough, and use a sharp knife to make sure that the edges of your cookies are clean and rounded off. For the excess dough, you can simply re-roll the dough to come up with another batch of cookies.
Tips for Using Cookie Cutters
Cookie cutters are a fun way to make traditional cookies exciting. However, there are situations when using a cookie cutter with embossed decorations causes the cookie to split into pieces because the dough just won’t release from the cutter’s tiny parts. Here are our tips to get a great result with these cookie cutters.
Although they might appear a little more difficult or time-consuming to use, we believe the outcome is totally worth it! If you want to know how to use cookie cutters to make the most beautiful cookies, here are some tips to help you get started:
Can You Put Cookie Cutters in the Oven?
No matter what type of material your cookie cutters are made from, they should not be placed in an oven. Plastic cookie cutters will melt while metal cookie cutters will get too hot and affect the shape of your cookies. Plus, the smell of burning plastic will ruin the overall flavor of your cookies.
Do You Cut Cookies Before or After Baking?
While some cookies are soft enough to cut after they have been baked, others will crack and break. That’s why it’s highly advisable to use a cookie dough cutter before baking your rolled dough. Not only do they protect your cookie dough from cracking, but they also allow you to keep the cutting process easier and less time-consuming.
How Do You Make Cookies Out of Cutters?
If you are wondering how to bake cookies out of cutters, it’s fairly simple. All you need to do is prepare your chosen cookie dough (the best type is sugar cookie dough), roll it to about 1/4 inch, then cut the dough into shapes using your desired cookie cutters.
Now, place the cookies on a baking tray lined with parchment paper or cookie sheets while making sure that they are a few inches apart from each other. Bake the cookies at 350°F for about 8-12 minutes, cool them down, decorate with your favorite frosting and sprinkles, and you are good to go.
How Do You Keep Cookie Cutter Cookies From Spreading?
Whatever happens, do not grease your parchment paper or cookie sheet as additional fat can make your cookies spread. You can also control the rate of spreading by adding less butter to your dough. Any form of fat, when used in excess, will increase the overall spread of the cookies.
How Do You Shape Cookie Dough With a Cookie Cutter?
When rolling out your dough, make sure that you maintain an even thickness so that your cookie cutter cookies have a uniform look. To maximize the surface area of your cookie dough, try to squeeze as many cookies as possible while paying close attention to the edges of your cookie cutouts.
There is no shortage of cookie designs that you can create using cookie cutters. From Disney cookie cutters and fairy-inspired to Christmas and Halloween-themed cookie cutters, you can find almost any cookie shape or design imaginable online. Just choose aluminum or stainless steel cookie cutters to make sure that they are durable enough for regular use.
