Forms for gingerbread: requirements, types and tips for use

Recently, there has been a real boom in unusual shaped gingerbread cookies with original decorations. Modern masters have learned how to create real masterpieces from dough that are pleasing to the eye, while being very tasty. Therefore, such sweets often become gifts that not only children like. To make beautiful gingerbread cookies, special shapes are required. It is about them that we will talk today, study the existing varieties, learn to choose the right device and handle it correctly.

It is not difficult to bake original gingerbread on your own, even if at first glance there is a completely different opinion. In order for the result to meet expectations, you need to stock up on good equipment that will not let you down and will help create a real masterpiece from the dough. Therefore, it is very important to choose the correct forms for the gingerbread. They must meet a number of mandatory requirements:

• strength and durability;
• compliance with food standards, which will determine the possibility of direct contact with food;
• sharp edges make it easier to work and allow you to get the desired shape of the future product the first time without much effort;
• the edges should be even, without visible defects.

Stencils in the form of special shapes are used to make painted, volumetric and printed gingerbread. These molds are made of various materials, differ in shape and design.Depending on the material used, there are several types of gingerbread molds.

They were originally used to make such a delicacy. They have not lost their popularity to this day. Now, as before, such confectionery devices look like plates on which patterns, inscriptions or individual objects are cut.

Previously, such forms must be greased with oil so that the dough does not stick and separates well. In this way, printed, voluminous gingerbread is obtained. Such forms allow you to make products with a filling.

They are mainly made of steel and aluminum. Such devices are called fellings. These forms are especially fond of professional pastry chefs, but among the amateurs there are many of their fans. Cuttings are suitable not only for gingerbread, but also for cookies. Metal forms are distinguished by their durability and high strength, therefore they are able to withstand even intensive use.

To work with such devices, it is necessary to roll out the dough into a layer of the required thickness, on which gingerbread cookies of the desired shape are created by cutting. The blanks are transferred to a greased baking sheet and baked.

A large assortment of such devices is offered in specialized stores.

In terms of their characteristics, they are similar to the metal options. Plastic molds are often 3D printed. They are the most popular because the blanks are detailed, and it is very easy to decorate them in the future. Such forms are actively used at home, because their cost is affordable, and there are no difficulties in leaving.

When choosing similar shapes it is important to pay attention to the material. The plastic must be environmentally friendly and have access to food handling. And the strength of the material is important. Plastic molds are available in a large assortment, each model is characterized by precise detailing.

They are not used very often for gingerbread. The softness of the material does not allow cutting out blanks from the dough, therefore the gingerbread cookies are baked directly in molds that have a special depression. The dough does not stick to the silicone, so the molds need not even be greased.

Any confectionery needs high-quality utensils. All kinds of devices can not only facilitate the work process, but also help in obtaining the desired result. The main device for gingerbread cookies are molds, which allow you to quickly create the required number of beautifully shaped blanks. We will help you decide on the choice of these necessary products.

1. For Tula gingerbread it is better to choose wooden forms. These fixtures have the necessary height to create filled sweets. Wooden molds are available in different designs, so choosing the right one is not difficult. Moreover, such devices are custom-made by many companies.
2. For printed gingerbread it is also better to acquire wooden forms that come in the form of rolling pins. Both options are easy to use. Even if making gingerbread will not be your life's work, these molds will work well for cookies and decorate other sweets.
3. For gingerbread plastic and metal molds are more suitable. Such sweets are made thin and do not include a filling inside. Therefore, there is no need to use forms with a large depression.For such sweets, devices with a 3D pattern are well suited.

It is very easy to make beautiful, original gingerbread cookies that will not be inferior to professional products in shape, color and taste. Even children can be involved in this process, who will be completely involved in this process. Below is a basic guide to make the process even easier.

1. Prepare the forms for work. They must be rinsed and greased so that the dough does not stick when creating blanks.
2. We make the dough according to one of our favorite recipes. Finding the right one is not difficult. There are a large number of simple and quick recipes that a novice pastry chef can handle. The prepared dough is covered with cling film and placed in the refrigerator for about an hour.
3. We turn on the oven and heat it up to 200 degrees. Knead the cooled dough and roll it out with a rolling pin. The thickness of the formation usually varies between 0.8-1.2 cm.
4. We take the forms, press them to the dough and squeeze out the necessary blanks.
5. The resulting elements are transferred to a baking sheet covered with parchment. Baking is carried out at a temperature of 200 degrees Celsius for about 7 minutes, it depends on the thickness of the dough and the size of the pieces. Do not keep the gingerbread cookies until golden brown. If the edges are reddened, then the sweets can already be obtained.
6. You can decorate products only after cooling completely. For these purposes, icing and melted chocolate are more suitable.

For an overview of the forms for printed gingerbread, see below.