Cookies are the best thing about a holiday and to make perfect cut out cookies you need perfect cookie cutters. Cookie cutters are a game-changing addition to the world of baking. They can easily take a simple cookie such as a sugar cookie to the next level, and if used properly, they can make anything look appetizing. On this page, we will teach you how to get the most use out of your cookie cutters.
Choose a suitable cookie cutter
Cookies cutters come in many shapes and sizes and there are even themed cookie cutters. Some are made from aluminum, while some are made of plastic. Choosing the suitable cookie cutter depends on what you are making and what occasion you are making it for. If it is Christmas, you want to get a set of cookie-cutter that is Christmas themed. If it is Halloween, get the spookiest set of cookie-cutter you can find out there. You do not want to be serving a Christmas tree on the Easter dinner, now do you?
Measure your dough
In order to get the perfect cut out when using a cookie cutter, you need to make sure the dough is of the right thickness. If the dough is too thin, the shape might get torn once you try cutting the shape out, and if the dough is too thick, the form might be distorted once it bakes since the dough will spread more. It might also be raw in the middle if the dough is too thick. Keep the dough’s thickness even throughout the dough, so when the cookies bake, they bake evenly. Also, if your dough will be expanding a lot in the oven, roll the dough thinner. If your dough will not expand much in the oven, roll thicker. Make sure to use cutters with softer edges if your dough expands a lot.
Choose the right recipe
When it comes to cookie-cutter, you use them on about every type of cookie dough; however, in order to achieve the perfect results, you need to choose the right kind of dough. A dough that is too wet or running will be hard to work with alongside the cookie-cutter as the shape will not stay. A dough that is too firm will have you eating brick-hard cookies. You should use a dough that has high content of butter in it as it will help your dough get off from the cookie cutter with ease.
Prevent sticking
The last thing you want is your dough to be sticking on the cookie cutter when you are cutting out the cases of the cookies. You should also flour the rolling surface, rolling pin and the dough. You can prevent this by dusting the cookie cutter with some flour or powder sugar before pressing them into the cookie dough. Please do not forget to use parchment paper when baking the cookies to prevent them from sticking to the baking sheet. Use a chopstick to take out the dough stuck in your cookie cutter to ensure all cookies are cut smoothly. If you think your dough is becoming sticky, you can always re refrigerate it.
How to properly use cookie cutters
After you roll out the dough, press your cookie cutters into the dough, lightly move them and gently remove them, while making sure they don’t break. If the dough sticks to your cutter, use your finger to remove it.
Use marble cutting board
You should use a marble cutting board to easily cut the dough. However, a parchment or wax paper can also be used. However, remember to flour whatever you use as a cutting surface to prevent the dough from sticking.
Do not roll the dough too many times
Once you have rolled out your dough, try not to re-roll it too many times. You can do this by using the cookie cutter on the rolled dough as many times as possible until no space is left. Re-rolling the dough will dry it up and make the cookies harder and sturdier.
Chill the dough
As we all know, we cannot correctly use a cookie cutter on a dough that is too runny. By chilling the dough in the refrigerator for a while before cutting, the dough gets more firm and holds the cookie-cutter’s shape much better. This also prevents the cookie from overspreading once it is baking. You may also place the cookie sheet in the freezer for 5 or 10 minutes, to prevent the cut out cookies from spreading.
How to store cookie cutters
We need to keep our cookie cutters safe and clean in order to use them in a perfect way the next time. To wash plastic cutters you can always use normal soap and water. You can then store them in a box or container. Just make sure they do not break. For metal cutters, instead of using water (you do not want them to rust), clean them with a towel and use oil, if needed. To store metal cutters hang them on a string and then hang the string somewhere safe as they might bend if stored in a box.
DIY Creations
Did you know that cookie cutters are not just used to make cookies? They can be used to make various other things. If you want to do something productive with your children, you can use cookie cutters to trace out different shaped for them to paint into. Also, during the festive season, cookie cutters can be used to make garlands. All you need is a string or a ribbon, cookie cutters and some glitter or sprinklers. Put your cookie cutters through a string and you can make a garland that you can hang anywhere you like. Use a funky string and add glitter over your garland to make it look more festive. You can also use your cookie cutters to make bird feeders. Make a mixture by using bird seeds and hot water, pour it into your cookie cutters and put it in the refrigerator to harden. Take it out once it hard, and hang it wherever you like.
