Best Cookie Press Reviews
If you got tired of making plain, old round-shaped cookies, I think it’s time to find you the perfect cookie press – and I’m here to help you find one!
The first Valentine’s day John and I celebrated together, I made a batch of heart-shaped cookies – red frosting and all – for him, and it’s been our tradition ever since. 🙂
Of course, back in the day, I used a simple cookie-cutter, but nowadays, I use something a lot more practical – a cookie press.
Let me clear something up – there’s nothing wrong with the good, old round-shaped cookie, but eventually, you’ll get tired of them.
So, let’s find you the perfect cookie press before you do!
Tips For Using The Best Cookie Press
While using a cookie press is a pretty straightforward thing, it does take a bit of practice to get it right. On that note, there are some do’s and don’ts you should keep in mind. Not only will these tips ensure your cookie press lasts for years to come, but that your cookies turn out picture-perfect every time!
- Take the time to single out the recipes that are suitable for your cookie press. For the press to work, you need to have your dough at a certain consistency and forget about raisins and nuts – they won’t be able to squeeze through the press.
- While you’re adding dough to your cookie press, make sure you squeeze it down a bit as you go to make sure there are no large air pockets hidden inside.
- Greasing the baking sheet or using parchment paper is a recipe for disaster. You need the dough to stick to the cookie sheet’s surface to form correctly, which is why you should opt for a bare baking sheet.
- And speaking of dough sticking to the sheet, make sure you apply a consistent, even pressure, and hold the cookie press flat on the sheet – don’t “drop” the dough or tilt the press.
- Also, remember to leave enough space between the cookies, so you aren’t left with a mega-cookie (that’s how my boys call cookies that get stuck together during baking). And by enough space, I mean an inch or so.
How To Choose The Best Cookie Press?
Okay, now I’m going to share with you some tips on how to choose the greatest cookie press, so pay attention!
1. You Have Two Options – Manual And Electric
The first step to finding the perfect cookie press is deciding whether you want a manual or an electric one.
Let’s start with the “basic” option – manual cookie presses. Mind you, when I say basic, I mean it in the best possible way. They’re affordable, they’re easy to use, they can press heavy dough (their electric counterparts can’t do that), and the market is full of various models.
The main advantage electric presses have over standard ones is consistency. You’ll get perfect cookies every time, without even trying. I’m not a huge fan, though – they take too much fun out of the process. Plus, they cost way more than a standard manual press.
2. How Many Die-Cut Discs Does It Have?
The majority of cookie presses nowadays come with die-cut discs, so that’s not the issue here.
The real question is: How many discs does the set include?
The more, the better, of course! I mean, if you want to make one shape of cookies over and over again, you might as well stick to the standard, round ones, right? Being able to choose from a variety of disc patterns – hearts, flowers, butterflies, and what not – gives you a lot more design options, so your cookies will not only taste great but look amazing, too.
3. Don’t Forget To Check Shaft Capacity
That one’s pretty simple – the more significant the shaft’s capacity, the lesser the number of refills you’ll have to do.
However, if you want to turn baking cookies into a fun activity your kids will enjoy, too – and as a parent, I can assure you they will – consider their tiny hands and look for a smaller model they’ll be able to handle. You might have to refill it more often, but making memories with your kids is well worth it.
4. Is It Dishwasher Safe And Easy To Clean?
You’ll have to clean your cookie press after every use – that goes without saying – and yes, that means taking it apart to clean all those hard-to-reach areas, too. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be using your cookie press quite often, so why not make it easy for yourself and get one with dishwasher-safe parts?
And in case the one you like has to be washed manually, at least make sure it’s easy to clean.
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5. Make Sure It’s Rust Resistant
Speaking of washing your cookie press, no matter how much you try, you’ll never be able to get the moisture out of all the grooves and crevices on it – there will still be some residual dampness. That’s why it’s a good idea to stay away from rust-prone materials, and go with aluminum or stainless steel, instead.
On that note, if you do pick a cookie press with a shaft made from heavy-duty plastic, make sure it’s BPA-free, considering it’s going to come in contact with your food and all.
Best Cookie Press 2022: Top 5 Favorites
Okay, time to answer the most critical question of all: Which one’s the prime cookie press on the market?
OXO Good Grips 14-Piece Cookie Press Set
Also, I love the fact that the cylinder is see-through, so I don’t have to guess how much dough is left in there. It’s one of those features you didn’t even know you wanted until you finally had them.
Another thing worth mentioning is that both the base and the lever have a non-slip surface, which will come in handy when you’re just starting out and trying to master your cookie pressing technique.
All in all, it was a great cookie press until the handle broke. John implied maybe I was pushing too hard, and all I could think was:
– I’m sorry, honey, but I’ve made cookies before without parts flying all over the place, you know?
Anyway, as long as it doesn’t break, the OXO Good Grip is genuinely a great cookie press to have.
Pros
- The set includes 12 stainless steel discs.
- You can monitor the dough through the transparent cylinder.
- The lever is comfortable to use and non-slip.
- It has a non-slip base, too.
- It’s easy to disassemble for cleaning purposes.
- It comes with a storage case for discs.
Cons
- The handle breaks relatively easily.
Marcato Atlas Deluxe Biscuit Maker Cookie Press – Make Cookies That Look Store-Bought At Home
The next on my list is a cookie press by Marcato – Atlas Deluxe Biscuit Maker. The unit is almost entirely made of stainless steel (I’ll explain the “almost” part later), and the discs it comes with are aluminum, so you don’t have to worry about them rusting.
Also, I love the fact that it allows you to choose the size of the cookies you’re making by merely turning the knob. So, if you want to make a batch of around 20 to 25 large cookies or approximately 40 smaller ones, you can quickly arrange that.
And once you’re done making cookies, you can quickly take the press apart to clean it properly.
Now, one thing you should keep in mind is that the parts are not dishwasher-safe, so you’re going to have to do the hard work of scrubbing cookie dough instead. It’s not that big of an issue; it’s just a bit time-consuming.
The biggest disappointment was the fact that it did develop rust, after all. I thought the entire press was made from stainless steel, but I guess I was wrong. Don’t you hate it when that happens?
Pros
- It’s stainless steel.
- The set includes 20 aluminum die-cut discs.
- You can adjust cookie size (small or large)
- It’s easy to disassemble for cleaning purposes.
- It comes with a 10-year warranty.
Cons
- It’s not dishwasher-safe.
- Some parts are prone to rust.
Wilton Comfort Grip Cookie Press – The Budget-Friendly Option
The main reason this model deserved its spot on my list is its price – it costs half as much as any other I’ve included in the round-up. As far as budget-friendly options go, this is the greatest cookie press for the price.
What you get is an all-plastic press with a surprisingly comfortable ergonomic handle, which is great for making larger batches (your hands will be thankful for that), as well as 12 discs for creating a variety of shapes. And yes, they’re plastic, too.
But since everything is plastic, it does feel flimsy. There were moments where I was sure it would crack. It didn’t, but I’m still not very confident it won’t happen any time soon. On the plus side, it won’t rust, right?
The cookies don’t come out looking very good, though. I don’t mean to sound like a know-it-all, but I’ve made cookies a million times before, so it’s safe to assume the press is at fault here.
All in all, given the excellent reputation Wilton has, I like to think of this model as the black sheep in the family. Don’t get me wrong; it’s okay – just not great.
Pros
- It comes with 12 plastic discs.
- The transparent cylinder helps keep an eye on the dough.
- Comfortable ergonomic handle
- It’s extremely affordable.
Cons
- It feels like it could break at any moment.
- It’s a bit hard to get the right cookie shape.
- It’s not dishwasher-safe
Norpro Deluxe Cookie Press with Icing Gun
To avoid any possible confusion, yes, this is a Marcato model, too. I was a bit puzzled myself until I’ve learned that the former was a wholesale supplier, and Marcato was the manufacturer. Anyway, I just wanted to give you a heads-up.
The entire press is made from aluminum (it looks like stainless steel, but I can’t tell for sure) and feels very well-made. On that note, even the discs are aluminum, so they won’t bend, even with heavier doughs.
Clean-up is a breeze, which was surprising given the fact that it’s not dishwasher-safe. Just take it apart – since only a tiny amount of dough gets stuck inside, a quick rinse and a bottle brush are all it takes.
And while the set includes 20 discs + 4 icing tips, not all of them will give you picture-perfect cookies. A couple of them yielded cookies that looked nothing like the design I used. To be fair, there’s plenty more you can choose from out of the bunch.
The bigger issue here is the cylinder – it’s fairly small, which means you’re going to have to refill it more often than you’d like.
That said, a small press is a perfect choice if your kids want to try making cookies on their own.
Pros
- Made from aluminum
- It comes with 20 discs + 4 icing tips.
- It feels sturdy and well-built.
- Extremely easy and comfortable to use
- Clean-up is a breeze.
Cons
- Some of the discs don’t yield nice-looking cookies.
- The cylinder capacity is relatively small.
See also: Most Suitable Sets For Baking
Kuhn Rikon Clear Cookie Press – Make Cookies And Decorate Them
I can’t even begin to describe how excited I was to try this one out – it was one of my favorites right off the bat! I mean, who can say no to a set of 14 stainless steel discs, as well as six decorating tips?
You pretty much get everything you’ll need from pressing cookies onto the sheet to decorating them with frosting – all in one set.
With so many pieces, there’s always the risk of losing something, but Kuhn Rikon thought of that, too – the set comes with a storage box to keep everything in place.
The cylinder is see-through, which takes the guesswork out of the picture. It doesn’t sound like much, but being able to keep an eye on the amount of dough inside and scan for air pockets is unbelievably handy.
Once you’re done, you can quickly disassemble it and pop the pieces in the dishwasher. If that’s not easy clean-up, I don’t know what is.
The discs are not dishwasher-safe, though, and while I considered that a slight inconvenience, as long as the rest of the press is, I’m a happy camper.
Pros
- The set includes 14 steel discs for a variety of shapes.
- It comes with six decorating tips for frosting.
- A transparent barrel lets you monitor the dough.
- You can take it apart for cleaning.
- It’s dishwasher-safe
- It comes with a handy storage box
Cons
- The discs are not dishwasher-safe.
Related: How to choose the perfect flour sifter
Final Verdict
As I said, the question of the day is:
Which one of these is the greatest cookie press money can buy?
You’ve seen my top 5 favorites, and you know each and every one of them has its strengths and its weaknesses, so let me ask you – which one do you like the most?
It’s not an easy question to answer, right?
However, after careful deliberation, I’ve decided that the Kuhn Rikon Clear Cookie Press gives you the most options – and at a fairly reasonable price, too. 🙂
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