A cookie press is one of the most useful baking tools, especially if you and your family adore having cookies for breakfast and snacks. It allows you to make the neatest cookies in all kinds of cute shapes. You can explore a wide range of cookie press recipes and improve your skills as a baker.
Armed with a cookie press, you don’t have to worry about your baking skills because the results are professional and dainty. You will feel like a baking pro as you serve these cookies to your guests. The best part is that a cookie press is much more useful than just making cookies. It can be used for a wide range of purposes, including cream puffs, cupcakes, and even tiny cakes.
In this article, we will walk you through the guidelines and basics of using a cookie press, and then, we will explore some incredible cookie press recipes that you can easily try at home.
Here’s everything you need to know:
What is a Cookie Press?
A cookie press, more commonly known as biscuit press, is an incredibly useful device that allows you to shape cookie dough into different adorable shapes, such as flowers, leaves, snowflakes, squares, stars, shells, clover and more. They are typically designed with a cylinder and armed with a trigger mechanism, and a metal die-cut disc that contains the cookie designs.
A cookie press is also known as a Spritz cookie press, while some also know it as a cookie gun. The majority of the cookie press designs available in the market tend to be manual designs that can either be used by a turning handle or have a plunger mechanism to shape the cookie dough. Cookie presses come with a wide range of accessories, and some designs tend to offer a variety of disc patterns for cookies. Some cookie presses also offer decoration tips with icing and other tools.
Using the Process of a Cookie Press
Using a cookie press requires patience and practice to make sure all your cookies have a similar size and appearance. Whether you are using a manual or electric cookie press, the using process is largely similar for both.
Getting used to the mechanisms of a cooking press is easy and simple, but you must allow sufficient time to set up the cookie press. In order to make adorable cookie shapes, it is important to use the right consistency of cookie dough. Be sure to avoid adding hardened ingredients that do not press, such as chocolate chips, raisins, and nuts.
Many bakers rely on greased cookie sheets and parchment papers to make solid cookies, but when using a cookie press, be sure to avoid them. It is important to make sure that the dough is sticking to the cookie sheet to make an appropriate shape. A simple baking sheet will do the trick!
It is important to eliminate all air from the press before you get started. All you have to do is press gently and shape the dough near to the disc or the tip of the cookie press. Press gently when you are filing the shaft and adding in the cookie dough. Be sure to avoid titling the cookie press and hold it flat on the baking sheet.
You need to make sure the dough receives a consistent amount of pressure. Bakers commonly make the mistake of overloading the cookies, which disrupts the design and makes them appear like a basic round cookie. You need pour the batter with tiny spaces between the design cut-outs and motifs to make sure it captures the exact shape of the design.
Do not be disappointed if your first or second batch of cookies turn out to be mediocre or less than perfect. It takes practice and time, and within no time, you’ll be making the daintiest cookies in town.
Cookie Press Type
There are various types of cookie presses, of which, manual and electric designs are the two major kinds available in the market. Both of these have pros and cons to consider. If you are looking for an affordable investment, a manual cookie press tends to be cheaper and you can explore a wide range of variety. It does not have any electric sockets or wiring, so it is ideal for children and young bakers.
However, an electric cookie press is more efficient and precise. It allows a consistent process of pressing, which is highly recommended if you want to explore designs using icing. Electric designs are also more time-efficient.
Many bakers believe that an electric cookie press will allow them to use heavier loads of batters and dough. That is not true, because a durable manual cookie press model is more efficient with heavier dough. It allows you to exert the pressure it takes for a perfectly shaped cookie design.
The majority of the cookie press designs come with a wide range of designs and discs. It is important to note that pressed cookies and piped cookies are similar in the sense that they require pastry bags to load on the batter to create decorative shapes. However, a cookie press is more suitable for stiffer and harder cookie dough.
Even though cookie presses are primarily used for making adorable cookies, many designs come with a wide range of tools and tips that allow you to use the machine for fillings and decorations. These designs are incredibly versatile and can be used for a wide range of cooking purposes. More importantly, they are much easier to clean and can be used multiple times around the day.
When buying models with plastic parts and components, it is important to consider that these designs don’t work well with the stiffer and harder dough. They tend to be delicate and fall apart after consistent use. When working with plastic models, the dough needs to be extremely thin or else the holding mechanism of the shaping disc will easily fall apart.
It is ideal to invest in a sturdier model that does not feature any plastic components. These are ideal for stiffer dough, cupcakes, cakes, and a variety of other baked items. However, to make sure your model lasts long and remains intact, it is important to follow the guidelines and do not use the cookie press for any recipe or dough that it is not suitable for.
15 Best Cookie Press Recipes with Lots of Tips
1. Glazed Spritz Cookies
An exciting recipe from Martha Stewart, these glazed spritz cookies are buttery and rich, and you can experiment with a wide range of variations and flavors. You can make them with a vanilla glaze, or even use two different types of chocolates-white and brown-to achieve an exciting flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1 batch of plain vanilla cookie dough (you can also use a tinted or spice cookie dough version)
- Sanding sugar
- 1 cup melted white chocolate (8 ounces)
- Small candies for the glaze (optional)
Directions:
- You begin by gently kneading the dough to soften it up. Then fill up the cookie press with the dough. If you want to make a swirl design, use two different kinds of dough. Now, fit the dough with the disk to achieve the shapes you desire. Toss the cookies onto a baking sheet and sprinkle some sanding sugar onto the batter. Bake the cookies at 350 degrees and allow them to bake for at least 14 minutes or until firm.
- Allow the cookies to cool off completely before you pour on the vanilla glaze or the melted white chocolate. Now, use the crushed candies when the white glaze is still wet. Allow the white chocolate glaze to settle down by tossing the cookies into the refrigerator. Keep them chilled until you’re ready to serve them.
2. Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies
A rich and creamy batch of cookies, this recipe will create around 8 dozen cookies. It’s quick, easy, and simple.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of cold, unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 cup of sugar
- 3 ounces of softened cream cheese
- 1 egg yolk
- Half teaspoon cinnamon (grounded)
- 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Directions:
- You begin by preheating the oven to 350°F.
- Take a large bowl to mix in the unsalted butter and cream cheese. Then, toss in the egg yolk and sugar, and beat the mixture until it forms a fluffy and light consistency. Now, toss in the vanilla extract.
- Take another bowl and mix in the ground cinnamon, salt, and flour. Be gentle with the flour mixture and add it gradually. Continue beating until all the ingredients are nicely mixed.
- Now, add the dough into the cookie press using your desire disc design. Once you have achieved the design, press the dough out on an ungreased baking sheet.
- Bake the cookies for at least 15 minutes or until you see a golden brown shade on the edges of the cookies.
- Be sure to rotate the baking sheet after the first 7 minutes elapse for even baking.
3. Dulce de Leche Sandwich Cookies
A delicious and creamy recipe, these Dulce de Leche sandwich cookies pack up a rich batter and the creamy consistency of caramel with a scintillating hint of cinnamon.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Half cup granulated white sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (unbleached)
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 large egg yolks
- 1 can of Dulce de Leche (13.4 oz.)
Directions:
- Begin by heating up the oven to 375°F and preparing 3 cookie sheets.
- Take a bowl and mix in the flour, salt, and cinnamon. Now, take a stand mixer to cream the sugar and butter, and start adding in the egg yolks, one by one.
- Mix in the flour in the creamy mixture gradually to keep a soft and creamy consistency. Avoid mixing too quickly and use a spoon or spatula to scrape of the dough from the sides and bottom.
- Take a tiny amount of dough and add it into the cookie press with a disc of your chosen design. Press the dough onto the cookie sheets to achieve the design.
- Bake the cookies for at least 8 minutes or until they take a crisp, golden brown color. Allow them to cool off before you start decorating.
- Spread the Dulce de Leche evenly across the cookies, and top one cookie with the other to create a sandwich.
4. Chocolate Shortbread Cookies
A delicious twist to your usual cookies, this recipe will help you create 12 dozen cookies.
Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup of sugar
- 3 sticks of unsalted butter
- 3 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
- Half cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Half teaspoon salt
Directions:
- Begin by preheating the oven to 375°F.
- Take a large mixing bowl to combine the butter, salt, and sugar, and beat the ingredients until they form a creamy and fluffy consistency. Now, start adding the eggs one by one, followed by vanilla extract. Be sure to keep beating the mixture throughout.
- Slowly add the flour and cocoa powder and continue beating to mix in all the ingredients.
- Spread out the dough in the cookie press using your desired shape, and then, press out the dough on an ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake the cookies for at least 10 minutes or until they form a golden brown color. Be sure to rotate the baking sheet after 5 minutes.
5. Peanut Butter Cookies
A scrumptious explosion of peanut butter and sugar, these cookies are going to be a terrific addition to your brunch platter.
Ingredients:
- 1 egg yolk
- Chocolate chips
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup of brown sugar
- 2 sticks of soft butter (unsalted)
- 1/3 cup of peanut butter (creamy)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup of granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Directions:
- Begin by preheating the oven to 325 degrees.
- Take a large bowl to mix in the salt and flour. Then, take another bowl to whisk the butter, sugars, and peanut butter until you achieve a creamy and thick consistency. Now, whisk in the egg yolk and vanilla extract. Then, slowly combine this mixture with the flour batter.
- Choose your desired cookie disk and start inserting the cookie dough into the cookie press. Be sure to press out the cookies on the baking sheet with a 1-inch distance. Now, sprinkle the chocolate chips in the center of your cookies.
- Bake the cookies for at least 10-11 minutes or until they start taking a golden brown color. Remove the cookies and allow them to cool off before you add them to your cookie jar.
6. Pumpkin Spice Cookies
Pumpkin spice cookies are a nutritious punch of flavors and a rustic fall-friendly recipe. This recipe packs up no more than 13 calories and will help you make 60 cookies.
Ingredients:
- 2 sticks of softened butter
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup sugar (powdered)
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- Orange food color (optional)
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Directions:
- Begin by preheating the oven to 350 degrees.
- Take a large bowl and an electric mixer to combine the sugar and butter and achieve a creamy and fluffy consistency. Now, add in the vanilla extract and egg, and continue mixing.
- Take another mixing bowl to mix the pumpkin spice, flour, and baking powder. Then, add in the butter mixture to the flour mix and use your electric mixer to combine all the ingredients.
- Toss in a few drops of the orange food color and mix until the ingredients are well combined.
- Now, it’s time to fill up the cookie press with the batter. Once you’ve achieved the desired shape, toss on the cookies onto the baking sheets.
- Be sure to bake the cookies for at least 8 minutes or until they are golden brown in color. Remove the cookies and allow them to cool off before serving.
7. Coconut Cookies
Easy, simple, and crunchy. Coconut cookies are an excellent recipe for a light and savory snack.
Ingredients:
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups unsalted butter
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- Half cup of coconut milk (unsweetened)
- 1 cup shredded coconut (sweetened)
- Half teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Powdered Sugar
Directions:
- Begin by preheating the oven to 325 degrees and lining up the baking sheet with foil.
- Take a mixing bowl to whisk in the sugar and butter and use an electric mixer to achieve a fluffy and thick consistency. While mixing, add in the eggs one by one. Then, whisk in the coconut milk, and continue mixing.
- Take another bowl and add in the flour, salt, shredded coconut, and baking powder. Combine the batters and continue mixing until the ingredients are well combined.
- Use a pastry bag to transfer the batter to the cookie press. Then, bake the cookies for at least 10 minutes or until they are golden brown in color. Remove them from the oven and allow them to cool off before you sprinkle them with powdered sugar.
8. Gingerbread Cookies
A spicy, flavorful, and aromatic recipe that yields over 10 dozen cookies.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 sticks unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Half teaspoon nutmeg (ground)
- Half cup brown sugar
- Half cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon (ground)
- ¼ teaspoon cloves (ground)
- 2 ½ teaspoons ginger (ground)
Directions:
- Begin by preheating the oven to 375 degrees.
- Take a large bowl to whisk in the butter and sugar and form a creamy consistency. Then, add in the egg, vanilla extract, and molasses, and continue beating.
- Take another bowl to whisk in the flour, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, salt, and cinnamon, and slowly, combine the two mixtures and continue beating until all ingredients are well combined. Then, place the dough in the refrigerator for half an hour.
- Take out the chilled dough and start placing it on the cookie press to achieve your desired shape. Then, place the pressed dough onto the baking sheet, and toss them into the oven for 7- minutes. Be sure to rotate the baking sheet for even baking.
9. Chocolate Lebkuchen Cookies
Lebkuchen cookies are a fabulous German treat and this recipe allows you to give this traditional Christmas cookie a chocolaty twist!
Ingredients:
- 50g almonds (ground)
- 200g marzipan (raw)
- 4 egg whites
- 50g hazelnuts (ground)
- 50 lemon peels (candied and chopped)
- 200g sugar
- 100g all-purpose flour
- Half teaspoon salt
- 40 round rice papers
- 100g dark chocolate
- 100g white chocolate
- 2 teaspoon Lebkuchen spice mix
- Pinch of baking soda
Directions:
- Begin by preheating the oven to 180 degrees, and line two trays with moistened baking paper and rice paper.
- Take a large bowl to mix in the marzipan, egg whites, sugar, and salt using an electric mixer to achieve a smooth consistency. Toss in the lemon peels and continue mixing.
- Now, mix in the hazelnuts, flour, almonds, and Lebkuchen spice, and combine them with the marzipan mixture. Toss in a pinch of baking soda dissolved with water and whisk the batter rigorously.
- Take a piping or pastry bag to transfer the Lebkuchen batter onto the cookie press and achieve your desired shape. Then, transfer the dough onto the rice paper/baking sheets and bake for at least 20 minutes.
- Allow the cookies to cool off before you spread the melted white and dark chocolate evenly across the cookies.
10. Butter Cookies
Buttery and moist, these simple butter cookies are the perfect tea-time snacks. This recipe will help you make over 12 dozen cookies.
Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup of sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 sticks unsalted butter
- Half teaspoon salt
Directions:
- Begin by preheating the oven to 400 degrees.
- Take a large bowl to mix in the butter, salt, and sugar until they form a creamy and fluffy consistency. Now, add in the eggs and vanilla extract, and continue beating until the ingredients are combined. Slowly, toss in the flour and continue whisking.
- Add the dough to the cookie press to achieve your desired shape. Then, toss the dough onto a baking sheet and bake the cookies for at least 10 minutes, or until they are golden brown in color.
11. Coffee Hazelnut Cookies
A delicious combination of the rich flavors of hazelnut and coffee, this recipe is a scrumptious treat.
Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- Half cup sugar
- 1 ½ stick of unsalted butter
- Half cup hazelnut meal
- 2 teaspoons instant espresso
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Directions:
- Preheat the oven for about half an hour at 400ºf.
- Take a large bowl and start by mixing the butter, salt, and sugar to a creamy consistency. Then add the eggs and beat them with the instant espresso. Next, come the hazelnut meat and flour. All of these combined together will make a thick dough.
- The dough doesn’t need to be kneaded, though it’s advisable to pack it into the cookie press with the help of a rubber spatula. Press this dough on the baking sheet without greasing it, and keep some space between the cookies.
- Bake them for around 8-10 minutes and keep an eye out for browning around the edges. Remove them from the baking sheet and allow them to reach room temperature.
12. Cheddar Cookies
Who doesn’t love cheddar? This recipe allows you to use your favorite ingredient to create a savory and spicy snack!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. sharp cheddar (finely shredded)
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- Half cup softened butter
- Hot red pepper sauce
- Cream Cheese
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- Half teaspoon salt
Directions:
- Begin by preheating the oven to 375 degrees.
- Take a bowl to mix in the cream cheese, butter and Worcestershire sauce using an electric mixer to achieve a smooth consistency. Now, slowly add in your dry ingredients and give the dough a smooth appearance.
- Time to fill up the cookie press and carve out the designs you want before transferring the dough onto a cookie sheet.
- Bake the cookies for at least 12 minutes or until they are golden brown in color. You can store these up in a cookie jar for over a week.
13. Cranberry Cookies
Enjoy the tangy richness of dried cranberries with smooth and moist cookies. This is the best recipe for holiday and festive cookies as they have an adorable appearance.
Ingredients:
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup dried cranberries (sweetened)
- Half teaspoon salt
- 2 sticks unsalted butter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 drops red food color (optional)
Directions:
- Begin by preheating the oven to 350 degrees.
- Ground the cranberries in a food processor and continue pulsing until they are finely ground and clumped together. Keep using a spatula to make sure all the cranberries are finely ground, and then slowly, add in the butter and continue blending.
- Take a large bowl and an electric mixer to mix in the cranberry butter with sugar. Slowly, toss in the egg yolk and salt, and combine them well. Now, gradually add in the flour and continue mixing. Then, add in four drops of red food coloring, and continue mixing until the batter is red or pink.
- Now, add the dough into the cookie press with your desired disc design. Place out the dough onto the baking sheets and bake the cookies for at least 10-11 minutes.
- You will need 1 cup of confectioner’s sugar and 2 tablespoons of milk to prepare the glaze. While the cookies are cooling, dip each one into the glaze and then return them to the cooling rack to dry off.
14. Red Velvet Cookies
Red velvet can turn any recipe into an articulate culinary treat, and this recipe allows you to experience the creamy goodness of moist cookies with a delightful appearance. These are ideal for gifting and festive occasions.
Ingredients:
- 3 ounces of cream cheese (softened)
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup of sugar
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Half teaspoon peppermint extract (optional)
- 1 cup butter (softened)
- Sprinkles
- 1 tablespoon cocoa (baking)
- 1 tablespoon water
Directions:
- Begin by preheating the oven to 350 degrees.
- Mix in the cream cheese, butter, and sugar into a smooth mixture, and then, add in the egg yolk, food coloring, and vanilla extract and continue mixing. Take another bowl to mix in the flour and cocoa, and gradually, combine it with the cream cheese batter.
- Add the dough into the cookie press with a disk of your choice. Once you’ve achieved your desired shape, toss the dough onto the baking sheet.
- Now, mix the egg white with water and use a brush to spread it gently over the cookies. Decorate the cookies with sprinkles and toss them into the oven for at least 10-12 minutes.
15. Chocolate Espresso Cookies
If you like the strong and rich flavors of chocolate and coffee combined together, this recipe is just what you need for your teatime snacks.
Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoon instant espresso powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons scalding hot water
- 1/3 cup baking cocoa
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 ounces soft butter
- 1 ½ cups confectioner’s sugar
- 2 tablespoons Kahlúa liqueur
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
Directions:
- Begin by preheating the oven to 350 degrees.
- Mix the hot water with the espresso powder and set it aside. Take a bowl and an electric mixture to mix in the butter and brown sugar. Then, add in the egg and vanilla, and the espresso mixture and continue whisking.
- Take another bowl to mix the cocoa, flour, and salt, and then add it to the butter mixture and continue whisking until all ingredients are combined.
- Add the dough to the cookie press to get your desired shape, and then, assemble the shaped dough to the baking sheet. Bake the cookies for at least 10 minutes or until they are golden brown in color.
- Now, prepare the filling by beating all ingredients with an electric mixer to get a rich and creamy consistency. Spread the filling evenly across the cookies and create a sandwich with two halves.
Bottom Line
A cookie press allows you to make amazing cookie shapes and adorable designs without much effort. You can achieve the design consistency and smoothness of a professional baker with this simple baking tool. Just be sure to avoid overfilling the cookie press and be diligent about pressing it to achieve the desired shape.
Remember, patience is your greatest asset while learning to operate a cookie press and achieving the shapes that you seek. You can invest in a wide range of disk designs and shape to present your children and guests with adorable cookies. We sincerely hope you enjoyed our round-up of cookie press recipes!