I have been a serial baker for a long time. There is something therapeutic about the smell of cookies wafting through the house that makes warmth bubble up in my soul. The knowledge of how to use a cookie press has made this experience so much better.
The whole process of making a batch of perfect, uniform sized cookies can be a bit tedious and take a lot of your time. But, since I discovered the cookie press, baking cookies has never been the same. Once you start using a cookie press, baking small batches cookies for celebrations and gatherings are so much fun.
It is an easier and quicker way to get the cookies done and send them straight to the oven. A cookie press will help you create cookies in the cutest shapes with half the hard work you usually do. It might take a little time to get the hang of this device, but you will save a lot of time baking cookies once you do.
What Is a Cookie Press and How Does It Operate?
A cookie press is a kitchen device that will help you shape cookies perfectly for baking. You can now make cookies in unique shapes without too much hassle or wasting time. The market is filled with manual cookie presses as well as electric ones. Manual cookie presses are a tad bit hard to work with, but with much practice it will become easier.
Electric ones are a bit expensive but are so much easier to use. A manual press is mainly composed of either a plunger or a handle to push the dough. The transparent container helps you see if it requires a refill. The perforated end is used to create different shapes by pressing a small bit of batter through.
It is truly the easiest way to bake some festive cookies in no time. You can then top your cookies with chocolate chips, sprinkles, or nuts to customize them! When I first started using it, I was confused, but I was also determined to learn how to use it. The truth is, you need to get the hang of a few techniques, and you’ll be a pro at using a cookie press.
Uses of a Cookie Press
A cookie press is mainly used to make dainty and impressive stylized cookies. I prefer using a cookie presses when I am looking for a professional spread, especially during festivals. However, a cookie press does a lot more than that. A cookie press can be used to ice cupcakes as well!
The transparent container can be filled with buttercream, and the perforated end will create a clean design on top of the cupcake. You can also use it on top of cakes or for making designs on pancakes or crepes. Apart from that, a cookie press can be used for deviled eggs or even fill cream puffs.
How to Use a Cookie Press
Initially it might seem something out of your league but we assure you that using it can be fairly easy. There are a number of things you need to keep an eye out for when using a cookie press. The batter that goes into the cookie presses is very important.
Unless the batter is anything less than perfect, it won’t quickly press through to bake good cookies. Let’s see how you can bake some amazing cookies with this Cookie dough press:
Making the Dough
You might be wondering, why aren’t we starting straight from the filling in part? The truth is that batter plays a significant role in how the cookie press works. You need to make sure the batter’s consistency is ideal for pressing it.
- Start by mixing all the dry ingredients. You can use a sifter to sift the dry ingredients and use a wire whisk to combine them.
- Next, cream the butter along with sugar and keep it whisking till all ingredients form a smooth consistency. Now one by one you can add eggs into the mix.
- If you want to, you can add any flavor like vanilla or food dye to create the flavour of your choice.
- Now it’s time to add the dry ingredients gradually and form a dough. I prefer to roll the dough in logs and refrigerate for a bit. You can use it as it is, but the refrigerator helps to set the dough.
If you don’t want to make the dough again and again, you can freeze it and keep it for three months long in an airtight container.
Using the Cookie Press
Now to the main part. If you are new to cookie presses, you might want to choose between a manual cookie press or an electric one. Both are similar to use, just different in efficiency and ease of use.
- Make sure you preheat your oven.
- Now set up a baking tray with an aluminum baking sheet on it. Do not grease the baking sheet. Using parchment paper is also not recommended.
- To fill in the cookie dough, either use a spoon to fill it or use your log shapes and put it inside the filling tube.
- Along with the cookie press you will get multiple perforated discs. Select the disk design you want to bake your cookies in. Set the disc in the front.
- Set the cookie press vertical and push the button to dispense the batter. You might see a little amount of batter, which is ideal; otherwise, your cookies will lose shape.
Decorating and Baking
Now moving towards the best part: decorating.
- You can’t add any nuts or mix-ins into the batter, so now is an excellent time to put some sprinkles or chocolate chips on the top.
- You will know your cookies are done when the edges are brown.
- Now, take the cookies out of the heating. Let the cookies rest for about 2 minutes then scrape them off. Use a metal spatula to remove them as they are very delicate.
- You can now serve the cookies or store it in an airtight cookie jar.
Also Read: What Is a Food Mill – Guides for Beginners
Tips to Use a Cookie Press
Once you have bought yourself a cookie press and learned the basics of how to use a cookie press, you need to ensure that you are using it right. I have listed a few points to note while using a cookie press. Let’s have a look:
Do Not Use Grease on Your Cookie Sheet
The pressed dough must come directly in contact with the baking sheet. If you grease the sheet, it is highly likely that the cookie wouldn’t form properly. Not using grease is very crucial to baking perfectly shaped cookies. In addition to that, I advise you to avoid using parchment paper and use a bare baking sheet for the best possible results.
Use the Right Recipes
While using a cookie press, it is highly likely that you want to experiment with new ingredients like nuts or chocolate chips. However, I suggest you stick to the cookie press recipes only. The cookie dough’s consistency is crucial when you are using a cookie dough press, and adding in nuts doesn’t work well. Mix-in ingredients like nuts, raisins, chocolate chips cannot be pressed.
Add a Little Batter Only
While pressing cookies, make sure you add a small bit of batter to create a little shape of a cutout. Pressed cookies are meant to keep their cut out shape. If you overload the cookie, it will turn up round due to too much batter.
Filling the Cookie Press
While filling the cookie press, make sure you squeeze all the air right out of the cookie press. As you add in more batter, press the previous one near the tip to make sure there are no air bubbles.
Practice a Lot
If you are using a cookie presses for the first time, I highly recommend practicing and taking your sweet time reading the manual. It is essential that you go through the manual and steadily set up everything. This will help you understand everything. Make sure you practice and experiment with techniques a lot until you get your first perfect cookies.
Pressing the Cookies
When you are pressing the cookies, you need to keep a distance of 1.5 inches between the batter. The cookies will rise, but with a press and a small batter, they won’t rise as much as overloaded ones. Apart from that, while you are pressing a cookie, make sure you pause for a second until all the batter has poured, then move to press a new cookie. This will reduce the number of cookie dough strings in your tray.
Cooling and Cleaning
When you take the cookies out of the baking tray, they would be very fragile. So, make sure you use a metal spatula to pick them up. To clean your cookie press, I suggest that you wash them by hand. Even though all parts are dishwasher safe, you still need to be careful with the small parts.
Conclusion
If you love baking as I do, a cookie press is something you need to have in your kitchen and knowing how to use a cookie press makes you appreciate baking even more. It is a much fun process to make cookies any day. And if it’s the holiday season, you can experiment a little and find a cute design to make cookies in. That will undoubtedly get you in the spirit.
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