Forms for cookies: types and selection criteria

Homemade cookies are one of the favorite treats from childhood. It is difficult for a modern housewife to imagine the baking process without the help of improvised confectionery tools. Today there is a large selection of forms for cutting cookies. Molds vary in properties and purpose. Manufacturers produce models for cutting gingerbread, muffins, tartlets, nuts, cookies.

Products are divided into two types:

• detachable;
• whole models.

Detachable convenient for the preparation of bulk confectionery. They are made of aluminum or steel. Whole products are just right for cutting cookies out of dough. They can be disposable (paper, foil) and reusable.

Cookie cutters are sold individually or in sets. Products are made from various materials. They come in different sizes and themes.

Also, the molds are distinguished by topic. On the shelves of shops they sell various models for any holiday and event. Tools in the form of numbers and letters are in great demand. The theme of the New Year is also in demand. Delicious cookies such as snowflakes, snowmen and Christmas trees will be a great addition to the festive table. For baking Easter cookies, there are also various products in the form of chickens, eggs, rabbits.

All varieties of molds have various properties and features. The qualitative form is resistant to high temperature, has a high thermal conductivity, does not oxidize upon contact with products.

Models for cutting cookies are also called a cutter, cutting or cutter. All of them differ in species and have their own purpose. Products for cutting can be divided into two types:

• contour cutting (single);
• sheet form (tablet).

The first type is used to cut out individual parts or elements from the dough. To speed up the cutting process, large sheet forms are used. One such sheet has several shaped holes. Thanks to these holes, you can get a large number of cookies at a time.

There are forms designed for bulk and flat baking. Such molds are called plunger. Using this confectionery device, you can cut out cookies and apply drawings with a silicone embossed stamp on it.

Many from childhood remember the famous nuts with condensed milk. For baking nuts with condensed milk, a special metal mold was used. It was of two types: for hollow and full-bodied cookies.

Modern electric hazel have a similar appearance. Forms are made with special holes-cells. Before cooking, the cells are greased with vegetable oil, filled with dough and baked. Then the finished baking is filled with cream.

Cooking takes place in the same way as cutting cookies: dough is rolled out, figures are cut out and laid out on a baking sheet for further baking.

In order to choose a reliable product from quality raw materials, you need to understand the features and properties of materials.

Practicality and durability are distinguished by metal products. Molds are made of steel or tin and are divided into several types.

1. Cutting down. This classic cookie cutter looks like an end-to-end metal product. Upon contact with the test, the form does not oxidize and does not emit harmful compounds, does not contain dyes and does not absorb odors and oil. When cutting down, the figures are smooth and separate without any problems. Even a small child can cope with such an instrument. When choosing cutting, attention should be paid to the edges of the product. They must have quality processing, otherwise there will be a risk of cuts. Also, when buying, you should take into account the reliability of the fasteners connecting the edges. A quality product does not have sharp slices.
2. Cutting molds. When using the product, the dough is laid inside the mold. The beads heat up in a short time, which contributes to quick baking. Most often, the surface of such cuttings is equipped with a non-stick layer. Notch molds are also divided into several subspecies:
   • cast;
   • molds with cells for cupcakes or baskets;
   • cones.

Portion forms can also be used for baking baskets. When using cones, the dough is wound on the product. This technique is used to make tubes and waffle cones.

Disposable or reusable aluminum models are used in the preparation of cookies, cake cakes, tartlets. The high-quality reusable shape has a well-polished, even inner part. Disposable products must be lubricated before baking.

Products are divided into two types:

• cutting down;
• plungers.

There are ordinary cuttings and with a pattern. The principle of using simple cuttings is the same as for metal forms.Just put pressure on the dough and the figure is ready. Felling from plastic with a pattern has a relief image on the inside, which gives the surface of the cookie an interesting pattern or ornament.

The plunger is a surface in the form of a plate with a piston and a spring. To cut out cookies, attach the product to the dough and press on the piston. In this case, the dough is squeezed out. The figures are neat with smooth edges. When cutting dough with a plunger, the confectionery products are small and low. When choosing a plastic product, several aspects must be considered.

Silicone molds are resistant to high and low temperatures. There are products with the property of resistance to temperature from -70 degrees to +290. Silicone forms are absolutely safe and do not emit harmful compounds. Manufacturers produce complex models with a pattern, with a relief on the inner surface and in the form of a sheet with special markings.

Silicone mold has several advantages. The product is baked evenly without burning. In order to pull out cookies, you just need to turn the form inside out. Silicone products are convenient to store and have a long service life. Minuses: when in contact with the silicone mold, wooden or rubber blades are used; when using a knife or fork, the mold may become deformed.

Cast-iron cookie cutter models are considered the most obsolete option. But at the same time, cast iron products are very durable and time-tested. Cast iron heats up quickly, which contributes to uniform heating of the product. Thanks to this, the dough does not remain raw and does not burn.

Ceramic molds also have the property of uniform heating and have a stylish appearance. The material is able to withstand heating at any temperature, and baking does not burn. The dough is baked evenly and does not burn due to the thick walls of the ceramic product.

Disadvantages: such products are very fragile, take up a lot of space and lose their properties when exposed to temperature changes.

Glass models are made from heat resistant material. They are used for baking large-sized confectionery. The walls of glassware are very thick. Thanks to this, baking is evenly baked.

There are also disadvantages: baking burns out, and it is difficult to clean the inner glass surface. To avoid burning food in a glass form, place parchment paper for baking.

The stores offer a huge assortment of cookie baking dishes. The most common forms are products in the form of a rhombus, triangle, circle, oval, stars, flower. Figures "Hearts", "Drop" and "Tulip" will fit the theme of Valentine's Day.

Original cutting tools are considered more complex shapes. For example, cuttings in the form of animals. The “Bear” and “Fish” forms will delight any child and engage him in an interesting game.

Cookies in the form of numbers and letters will be an interesting educational game for a child who is just starting to learn arithmetic and alphabet.

For any festive event, you can prepare a festive sweet treat. The most favorite holiday for everyone is the New Year.In stores you can find a large number of molds for ginger Christmas cookies. So, the New Year theme is represented by figures of Christmas trees, Santa Claus and Snow Maiden, deer, sandman, angels, mittens, New Year hats, bells, balls, sweets and snowflakes. Products in the form of snowflakes are most popular. Cookies are beautiful and delicate with delicate ornaments.

Such tools save a lot of time. You can bake a large variety of cookies at a time. In the production of using metal, tin, silicone or plastic. For convenience, the product is stored on a special ring.

Easter baking dishes are also available. By Easter, manufacturers make forms "Tulip" and "Egg". The Egg shape in some stores is presented as a sheet with holes. A relief image is embossed on the inner surface of each cell hole. The drawing makes the finished confectionery very original and interesting. Products in the form of chickens, hares, crosses, cockerels and baskets are in demand.

Forms in the form of ghosts, cats, bats, pumpkins, spiders and hats for witches look very original and will please not only children but also adults.

The Madeleine cut-out model is produced in the form of a silicone mold sheet with cells for French cookies. The cells are made in the form of shells. The dough does not stick, does not stick and can be easily separated from the mold. The size of the cells is 6.8x4.8x1.5 cm. Thanks to this, you can bake neatly shaped cookies. Also, leaf forms can be used to make chocolate decor.

There are one-time items. Such models are made of foil, but they will not last long. A plus is the practicality of the products. After use, you can simply throw them away. Single-use models can be purchased individually or as a set. As a rule, a set consists of 6-12 pieces. The choice of such forms is presented in any hardware or candy store.

This is not entirely true. Before baking muffins, the foil product must be lubricated with oil.

In single-use products, you can bake gingerbread cookies. Gingerbread cookie cutters are made from cardboard. The figures are smooth and easily lag behind.

To select quality products, it is necessary to take into account the properties of materials and the purpose of the molds.

• Cookies and muffins work well if they are baked in silicone models. In them, the dough does not dry out, does not burn, and separates perfectly. Silicone molds are easy to care for and they take up little space. You should also know that silicone models should be made from medical, not technical material. The quality of silicone baking dishes must be confirmed by a special document or quality certificate.
• To choose silicone products, you should also remember the brightness of the shades. No need to choose bright products. They have a high percentage of dye. Of the advantages, it is worth noting that before baking, the silicone mold does not need to be lubricated. Recently, silicone molds have been supplied with a special metal frame. Moving such forms from the oven to the table becomes more convenient.
• A classic option for cutting cookie dough is a metal mold. They are the most durable and practical. Metal molds are not deformed and are not subject to corrosion and rust. Metal products do not contain dyes, and confectionery products are obtained with neat edges.
• To save time and to get a large number of cookies at a time, use a set of cookie cutters. They are produced in the form of sheet forms or tablets with cells. They are metal, plastic or silicone. Designed primarily for cutting cookies and baking muffins.
• For the preparation of wafer cookies, special silicone molds are used with cells on which a relief image is applied to the inner surface. They also produce special equipment - electric waffle irons. The equipment works on the principle of a tool for baking nuts. The surface of the mold is divided into relief cells, which are filled with dough and covered with the same second half with holes. After some time, the finished product is pulled out and the dessert is made out.

Using cookie cutters is very easy. If the product is new, first rinse it with warm water with the addition of detergent and dry well. Then you need to roll out the dough with a thickness of about 5 mm. To avoid sticking the dough, dip the mold into the flour. After you need to put the product on the dough and press. The used test residues are collected, they can be used again.

Some recommendations for the operation of cookie cutters:

• aluminum models that have a non-stick coating are not allowed to be used on an open fire and on an electric stove;
• molds with a non-stick layer must not be cleaned with abrasive detergents and bristles with hard bristles;
• silicone models, like aluminum molds, are afraid of open fire and use on electric stoves;
• metal products are not used for baking in the microwave;
• Store any product in a dry, dark place.

To bake a delicious and original cookie, use a variety of different models for cutting. It is difficult to answer the question of which product is better. The right choice can be called the acquisition of several types of cookie cutters. Using various forms, you can create a wide variety of confectionery to the joy of the whole family.

See below for how cookie molds are made.