How to Use a Cookie Press: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

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1Loading the Cookie Press

2Pressing Out the Dough

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Co-authored byKyle HallReviewed byCraig Watson

Last Updated: May 10, 2024Approved

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A cookie press can turn cookie dough into perfect, professional-looking cookies. Once your cookie press is loaded with dough, all you have to do is press the dough onto a baking sheet, and voila! Once you get the hang of it, using your cookie press will be a breeze.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Loading the Cookie Press

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  1. 1

    Roll your cookie dough into a log. Your cookie dough needs to be log shaped so it's thin enough to fit into the barrel of the cookie press. To roll the dough into a log, pick it up and roll it between your hands. Make sure the log is short enough and thin enough to fit in the cookie press barrel.

    • To save time, buy premade cookie dough that comes in a log shape.
    • Avoid using cookie dough that has big pieces like chocolate chips or nuts in it. Use thin doughs like sugar cookie dough and spritz dough instead.
  2. How to Use a Cookie Press: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (5)

    2

    Unscrew the ring from the end of the cookie press barrel. The ring is at the end of the barrel (the long tube on the cookie press) that’s opposite the handle. Once the ring is off, you should be able to access the inside of the barrel.

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  3. How to Use a Cookie Press: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (6)

    3

    Insert the cookie dough into the barrel. Don’t fill up the barrel all the way with dough. You want to leave at least 1 inch (2.5cm) of space at the end of the barrel near the handle. Otherwise, you'll have a hard time pressing the dough out.

  4. 4

    Insert the patterned disk you want to use into the ring. Your cookie press should have come with different disks that have unique patterns on them. Each pattern creates a different shape cookie. Lay the disk you want to use inside the cookie press ring so it’s flat.

  5. 5

    Screw the ring back onto the barrel. Make sure the ring is twisted all the way on so it's tight. If the ring is on properly, the patterned disk will be on the inside of the barrel. Once the ring is on the barrel, you're ready to start pressing out your cookie dough!

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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Pressing Out the Dough

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  1. How to Use a Cookie Press: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (10)

    1

    Press out the excess air in the barrel with the plunger. The plunger is the long, thin rod that goes in and out of the barrel. Grab the handle at the end of the plunger and push the plunger down into the barrel. Stop once all of the dough is packed down at the end of the barrel.

  2. 2

    Place the end of the barrel flat on an unlined baking sheet. The barrel should be vertical. Make sure the ring at the end of the barrel is completely flat or the dough might not stick to the sheet.[1]

    • Don't line the baking sheet with anything or the dough won't stick.
  3. How to Use a Cookie Press: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (12)

    3

    Pump the handle on the cookie press to press out the dough. When you pump the handle, some of the cookie dough in the barrel will be pressed through the patterned disk and onto the baking sheet. Depending on your cookie press, you may need to pump the handle more than once to get enough dough to come out.

    • If your cookie press doesn’t have a handle or lever to pump, press down on the plunger instead.
  4. How to Use a Cookie Press: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (13)

    4

    Lift the cookie press off the baking sheet. You should see a perfectly-shaped piece of dough on the baking sheet right where the ring was.

    • If the dough didn't come out of the barrel, or if it looks broken on the pan, the dough may be too cold. Let the cookie press sit at room temperature for a few minutes and then try again.[2]
    • If the dough isn't holding its shape, it may be too soft. Put the cookie press in the fridge for 10-15 minutes and try again.[3]
  5. How to Use a Cookie Press: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (14)

    5

    Repeat across the baking sheet every 2 inches (5.1cm). Once the baking sheet is covered with dough, bake the cookies in the oven according to the recipe. If there’s any leftover dough in the cookie press, press it out onto a second baking sheet.

  6. How to Use a Cookie Press: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (15)

    6

    Take apart and clean the cookie press when you're finished using it. To take apart the press, unscrew the ring at the end of the barrel and set the ring and disk aside. Then, unscrew the barrel from the handle and take off the flat disk at the end of the plunger. Wash all of the detached pieces with soap and warm water and then reattach them to the cookie press.[4]

    • Make sure to give it a really good clean! Let it air-dry once you're finished.
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  • Question

    How do I unscrew a Wilton cookie barrel from the press?

    How to Use a Cookie Press: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (16)

    Community Answer

    Grab the barrel and turn clockwise (to the right), at the same time grab the white section of the gun part and turn to the left. This will separate the barrel from the press.

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  • Question

    Should the dough in the cookie press be cold?

    How to Use a Cookie Press: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (17)

    Community Answer

    Yes, you should refrigerate your dough overnight, and then take it out of the refrigerator and put it in the cookie press right away.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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  • Question

    How do I wash my cookie press in the dishwasher?

    How to Use a Cookie Press: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (18)

    Community Answer

    You should hand-wash it. The dishwasher will not clean it thoroughly.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

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      Things You’ll Need

      • Cookie dough
      • Cookie press
      • Baking pan
      • Oven

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      About This Article

      How to Use a Cookie Press: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (24)

      Reviewed by:

      Craig Watson

      Baker

      This article was reviewed by Craig Watson and by wikiHow staff writer, Kyle Hall. Craig Watson is a Baker, Entrepreneur, and the Founder of Baked Cravings, a nut-free bakery in New York City. With eight years of experience, he specializes in creating high-quality baked goods in a nut-free facility. Baked Cravings has received The Best of Manhattan Award. Craig holds a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from New Jersey City University and a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from Wilmington University. This article has been viewed 153,278 times.

      45 votes - 91%

      Co-authors: 9

      Updated: May 10, 2024

      Views:153,278

      Categories: Featured Articles | Baking

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      Reader Success Stories

      • How to Use a Cookie Press: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (25)

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        Dec 10, 2017

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      How to Use a Cookie Press: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

      FAQs

      What is the trick to using a cookie press? ›

      If it's too cold, it'll be hard to squeeze out of the pres. If it's too warm, it'll be too soft, and it won't hold its shape when baked. Holding your hand on the tube will warm the dough, so try to use just one hand on the trigger – place your other hand on the cookie sheet to keep it from moving.

      How do you use a cookie cutter press? ›

      Pump the handle on the cookie press to press out the dough.

      When you pump the handle, some of the cookie dough in the barrel will be pressed through the patterned disk and onto the baking sheet. Depending on your cookie press, you may need to pump the handle more than once to get enough dough to come out.

      Why won't my Spritz cookies come out of the press? ›

      If the dough is sticking to the bottom of the press instead of adhering to the pan, it might be too soft. Place it in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 minutes and try again. Butter is highly recommended when making Spritz cookie dough.

      How do you get cookie press cookies to stick? ›

      You must use cooled off cookie sheets so the cookies will stick to pan and come out of the press with no problem. Cookie sheets can not be warm. That is the answer. Place the cookie sheets in the fridge before using.

      What is the difference between a cookie cutter and a cookie press? ›

      What is the difference between a cookie cutter and a cookie press? A cookie cutter is used on a sheet of flat cookie dough to cut shapes and does not emboss a pattern or change shape to the top of the cookie. A cookie press creates uniform cookies with raised textures on the top.

      What is the trick for cookie cutters? ›

      I keep a little salad plate of flour right by my rolling area and dip my cookie cutter in it between cuts. This keeps the cutter from sticking to the dough and stretching or tearing the shape.

      Why did my Spritz cookies go flat? ›

      Mistake 1: The butter is too soft

      If this happens, the butter will melt faster in the oven and your cookies will flatten before they can set.

      How do you use a cookie stamp press? ›

      For crispest stamping designs, chill dough for at least 3 hours. Roll dough into balls slightly larger than golf ball size. Using cookie stamp, center over ball and push down until dough starts to squeeze out around stamp. Slowly lift/remove stamp.

      How do you use a Pampered Chef cookie press? ›

      Dispensing dough: to dispense dough, twist handle till you can see the dough start to come out. Place cookie press standing up on cookie sheet, twist to dispense until you feel a bit of resistance and then lift straight up. Reuse dough: it may take a few tries to get the hang of the cookie press.

      How do you get decorations to stick to Spritz cookies? ›

      Decorating spritz cookies jimmies, sugars or nonpareils.

      If you add sprinkles after baking the cookie dough your sprinkles will not stick to your cookies without using melted candy or icing. Oftentimes, shaped sprinkles will melt in the oven so sticking with jimmies, sugar and nonpareils are best.

      How to keep spritz cookies from spreading? ›

      Helpful Hints and Tips for Perfect Spritz Cookies:

      Do not chill the dough before using. The dough should be at room temperature so it can be piped through the press. If your cookies start to spread or your kitchen is warm, try chilling the pans in the refrigerator for a few minutes before piping the cookies on the pan.

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