Which cookie presses are greatest?
For making large batches of vacation cookies, there’s no sooner or simpler technique than utilizing a cookie press. Cookie presses extrude the dough by way of a formed tip, making for uniform cookies in cute designs with a lot much less effort than rolling and reducing. Cookie presses can be an amazing possibility for different baked items, like crackers or cheese straws with hefty dough that may be robust to work with.
Our high decide, the OXO Good Grips 14 Piece Cookie Press Set, is a top quality press excellent for the house baker who needs lovely, uniform spritz cookies.
What to know before you purchase a cookie press
Spritz cookies
Spritz cookies, or “Spritzgebäck” in German, are a standard European vacation cookie. They’re a crisp butter cookie with many recipe and form variations, although essentially the most conventional shapes are extruded wreaths and loops. The title stems from the German phrase “spritzen,” that means to spray or squirt. Traditionally a Christmas cookie mostly present in northwestern Europe, spritz cookies may be made any time of 12 months and for any event. As a result of simplicity of the recipe and ease of utilizing a cookie press, spritz cookies are a very good baking challenge to do with youngsters.
Historical past
There are as many various kinds of cookie presses as there are cookie shapes. Most meals historians agree that the cookie press was invented someday through the sixteenth century, probably in Germany or Scandinavia. Over time, it grew to become a well-liked invention for dwelling baking and even made its means throughout the pond when European immigrants introduced it to the USA. Right this moment, many older cookie presses are handed down by way of households, together with their accompanying recipes.
What to search for in a top quality cookie press
Cookie press varieties
Electrical: Electrical-powered cookie presses don’t require any squeezing or turning of a crank. In addition they will launch the identical quantity of dough each time. They’re greatest for professionals, as most dwelling bakers don’t must make mass portions of completely equal-sized cookies. Guide presses are simple to make use of, inexpensive and don’t require any electrical energy.
Set off-style: That is the commonest model of cookie press that you just’ll see right now. Typically, trigger-style cookie presses are calibrated to launch the correct quantity of dough for one cookie with one set off pull. They’re simple to carry and use.
Hand-crank: Hand-crank cookie presses are a extra conventional model of cookie press. They require extra elbow grease than trigger-style cookie presses, however they could be a helpful possibility for these with joint or hand bother, as they don’t require squeezing a set off.
Shapes
Most cookie presses will come full with a set of die-cut discs to form the dough because it’s extruded. Many conventional, easy shapes make basic, extra summary cookie shapes. Some fashionable units additionally embrace extra specialised vacation shapes. Most frequently, winter vacation shapes are used, however some embrace different shapes. Many cookie presses may even embrace attachments for frosting and icing, although this depends upon the model of the press.
Cookie press suggestions
Dough to be used in a cookie press ought to be slightly looser than dough for minimize and rolled cookies, however not by a lot. The dough ought to be chilled to reduce spreading whereas baking.
Observe a recipe meant to be used in a cookie press, with no additions like nuts or fruit which may get caught within the press.
Don’t overfill the press. This could result in the dough spilling out or the sizes of your cookies turning out uneven.
Don’t overbake your cookies. Spritz cookies are small and lightweight and don’t must be cooked within the oven for lengthy. Most recipes will name for baking not than 7-10 minutes.
How a lot you’ll be able to anticipate to spend on a cookie press
Cookie presses can vary in worth relying on the model. Low-cost to mid-range presses normally price between $10 and $30, whereas the most costly cookie presses are dearer.
Cookie press FAQ
Ought to I get a hand-crank or trigger-style cookie press?
A. Set off-style cookie presses are the commonest kind of recent cookie press as a consequence of their ease of use and cleansing. Nevertheless, for these with arthritis or different joint points, a crank model could also be simpler to make use of, although maybe it’s tougher to seek out.
What’s the perfect cookie press to purchase?
Prime cookie press
OXO Good Grips 14 Piece Cookie Press Set
What you should know: That is an easy-to-use, high-quality cookie press with 12 discs and an ergonomic deal with.
What you’ll love: It’s simple to wash and can work completely with most spritz or pressed cookie recipes. This press additionally comes with a non-slip base to maintain the machine regular as you employ it.
What it’s best to contemplate: Some reviewers had inconsistent outcomes with some shapes, and the largely plastic software is greatest for infrequent use.
Prime cookie press for the cash
Wilton Easy Success Cookie Press
What you should know: This tremendous inexpensive cookie press is ideal for dwelling baking and has loads of shapes.
What you’ll love: It comes with 12 discs, together with varied seasonal and vacation shapes, corresponding to bushes, turkeys, pumpkins and flowers.
What it’s best to contemplate: The included discs are plastic and received’t maintain as much as heavy-duty use. Some reviewers discovered the machine to be flimsy on the whole.
Value testing
Fante’s Simple Cookie Press
What you should know: This cookie press’s tremendous basic, all-metal design is ideal for making Italian bakery-style cookies or cheese straws.
What you’ll love: The hand crank could also be simpler to make use of for individuals who have bother with squeeze-style presses. The metallic design is sturdier than plastic presses and will maintain up higher to heavier use.
What it’s best to contemplate: It’s not dishwasher-safe. Some reviewers talked about discovering a metallic residue on their cookies.
Costs listed replicate time and date of publication and are topic to alter.
