Forms for cookies: types and selection criteria

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

Products are divided into two types:

• detachable;
• one-piece models.

Detachable ones are convenient for making bulk confectionery. They are made from aluminum or steel. Whole products are perfect 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 a variety of sizes and themes.

Also, molds are distinguished by subject matter. On store shelves, 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, and rabbits.

All types of molds have different properties and characteristics. The qualitative form is resistant to high temperatures, has high thermal conductivity, does not oxidize on contact with food.

Cookie cutter models are also called cutter, die cutter or cutter. They all differ in type and have their own purpose. Cutting products can be divided into two types:

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

The first type is used to cut 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 one time.

There are molds designed for bulk and flat baking. Such molds are called plungers. With this confectionery device, you can cut out cookies and apply patterns on them with a relief silicone stamp.

Many people remember the famous nuts with condensed milk from childhood. 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 hazelnuts have a similar look. Molds are produced with special holes-cells. Before cooking, the cells are greased with vegetable oil, filled with dough and baked. Then the finished baked goods are filled with cream.

Cooking takes place in the same way as cutting cookies: the dough is rolled out, the 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.

Metal products are distinguished by their practicality and durability. Molds are made of steel or tin and are divided into several types.

1. Cutting down. This classic cookie cutter looks like a cut through metal. Upon contact with the dough, the form does not oxidize and does not emit harmful compounds, does not contain dyes and does not absorb odors and oil. When punching is applied, the figures are smooth and separate without problems. Even a small child can handle such a tool. When choosing a cut, attention should be paid to the edges of the product. They must have high-quality processing, otherwise there is a risk of cutting yourself. Also, when buying, you should consider the reliability of the fasteners connecting the edges. A quality product has no sharp cuts.
2. Cutting molds. When using the product, the dough is placed inside the mold. The sides heat up in a short time for quick baking. Most often, the surface of such clearings is equipped with a non-stick layer. Notch molds are also divided into several subspecies:
   • cast;
   • forms with cells for muffins or baskets;
   • cones.

Portion tins can also be used to bake baskets. When using cones, the dough is wound onto the product. This technique is used to make rolls and waffle cones.

Disposable or reusable aluminum models are used in the preparation of cookies, cake layers, tartlets. A high-quality reusable mold has a well-polished, smooth interior. Disposable items must be lubricated before baking.

Products are divided into two types:

• felling;
• plungers.

There are ordinary cuttings with a pattern. The principle of using simple cuttings is the same as for metal molds.You just need to press on the dough and the figurine is ready. Cutting 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 plate-like surface with a piston and a spring. To cut the cookies, you need to attach the product to the dough and push the plunger. In this case, the dough is squeezed out. The figures are neat with smooth edges. When cutting the dough with a plunger, the confectionery is small and low. There are several aspects to consider when choosing a plastic product.

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

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

Cast iron cookie cutters 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 moist 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 baked goods do not burn at the same time. The dough is baked evenly and does not burn thanks 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 extremes.

Glass models are made of heat-resistant material. They are used for baking large-sized confectionery. The walls of glassware are very thick. This results in an even baking of the dough.

There are also disadvantages: the baked goods burn, and it is difficult to clean the inner glass surface. Place parchment paper for baking into the glass dish to avoid scorching the food.

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

More complex shapes are considered original cutting tools. For example, clearing in the form of animals. The forms "Bear" and "Fish" will delight any child and involve him in an interesting game.

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

You can prepare a festive sweet treat for any festive occasion. The most favorite holiday for everyone is New Year.You can find a large number of gingerbread cookie cutters in stores. So, the New Year's theme is represented by figures of Christmas trees, Santa Claus and Snow Maiden, deer, sand man, angels, mittens, Christmas hats, bells, balls, sweets and snowflakes. Products in the form of snowflakes are the most popular. The cookies are beautiful and delicate with an openwork ornament.

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

They also produce Easter baking dishes for holiday cookies. For Easter, manufacturers make the forms "Tulip" and "Egg". The "Egg" shape in some stores is presented in the form of a sheet-shape with holes. A relief image is embossed on the inner surface of each hole-cell. The drawing makes the finished confection very original and interesting. Products in the form of chickens, rabbits, crosses, cockerels and baskets are in demand.

Molds in the form of ghosts, cats, bats, pumpkins, spiders and witch hats look very original and will delight not only children, but also adults.

Model for cutting "Madeleine" is produced in the form of a silicone sheet-mold with cells for French biscuits. The cells are made in the form of shells. The dough does not burn, does not stick and can be easily separated from the mold. The mesh size is 6.8x4.8x1.5 cm. Thanks to this, you can bake neat cookies. Also, sheet-forms can be used for making chocolate decor.

There are one-off items. Such models are made from foil, but they will not last long. The plus is the practicality of the products. Throw them away after use. Single-use models can be purchased individually or as a set. As a rule, a set consists of 6-12 pieces. A selection of these forms is available at any hardware or candy store.

This is not entirely true. Before baking cupcakes, be sure to grease the foil product with oil.

Gingerbread cookies can be baked in single-use products. Gingerbread molds are made from cardboard. The figures are flat and easily fall 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 when 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 take up little space. It is also necessary to know that silicone models should be made from medical and not technical material. The quality of silicone baking dishes must be confirmed by a special document or a quality certificate.
• When choosing silicone products, you should also remember the brightness of the shades. There is no need to choose bright products. They contain a high percentage of dye content. Of the advantages, it is worth noting that the silicone mold does not need to be lubricated before baking. Recently, silicone molds have been equipped with a special metal frame. Moving such molds from the oven to the table becomes more convenient.
• The classic option for cutting out cookie dough is a metal mold. They are the most durable and practical. Metal molds do not deform and are not subject to corrosion and rust. Metallic 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 molds. They are produced in the form of sheet-forms or tablets with cells. They can be metal, plastic or silicone. Designed primarily for cutting biscuits and baking muffins.
• For the preparation of waffle cookies, special silicone molds with cells are used, on the inner surface of which a relief image is applied. They also produce special equipment - electric waffle makers. The equipment works on the principle of a nut baking tool. The surface of the mold is divided into embossed 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 a dessert is made out.

The cookie cutters are very easy to use. If the product is new, first rinse it with lukewarm 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 of the dough, it is necessary to dip the mold in flour. Then you need to put the product on the dough and press down. Used dough residues are collected and can be reused.

Some tips for using cookie cutters:

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

To bake delicious and original cookies, a wide variety of cutting patterns are used. The question of which product is better is difficult to answer. The right choice can be called the purchase of several types of cookie cutters. Various shapes can be used to create a wide variety of pastries to delight the whole family.

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