Forms for cookies: types and selection criteria

Homemade cookies - one of the favorite treats since childhood. Modern mistress is difficult to imagine the baking process without the help of improvised pastry tools. Today there is a large selection of forms for cutting cookies. The molds differ in properties and purpose. Manufacturers produce models for cutting gingerbread, muffins, tartlets, nuts, cookies.

Products are divided into two types:

• detachable;
• solid models.

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

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

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

All types of molds have different properties and features. The quality form is resistant to high temperature, has a high thermal conductivity, does not oxidize when in contact with products.

Patterns for cutting cookies are also called cutters, cuttings or cutters. 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 for cutting out dough of individual parts or elements. To speed up the process of cutting use large sheet-shaped. One such sheet has several holes shaped figure. Thanks to these holes at a time you can get a large number of cookies.

There are forms designed for bulk and flat baking. Such molds are called a plunger. With the help of this pastry fixture, you can cut out cookies and apply drawings with a relief silicone stamp on it.

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

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

Cooking is exactly the same 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 high-quality raw materials, it is necessary to understand the features and properties of materials.

Practical and durable metal products are different. The molds are made from steel or tin and are divided into several types.

1. Felling. This classic cookie cutter option looks like a through metal product. 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 using cutting, the figures are smooth and are separated without any problems. Even a small child can handle this tool. When choosing cutting, attention should be paid to the edges of the product. They must have high-quality processing, otherwise there is a risk of cut. Also when buying should consider the reliability of fasteners connecting the edges. A quality product has no sharp cuts.
2. Forms, grooves. When using the product, the dough is put inside the mold. The sides heat up in a short time, which contributes to fast baking. Most often, the surface of such cuttings is equipped with a non-stick layer. The mold-grooves are also divided into several subspecies:
   • cast;
   • molds 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 for the manufacture of tubes and wafer cones.

Models of aluminum disposable or reusable used in the preparation of biscuits, cake layers for cakes, tartlets. High-quality, reusable shape has a well-polished, smooth interior. Disposable products before baking must be lubricated.

Products are divided into two types:

• cutting down;
• plungers.

There are ordinary logging and patterned. The principle of using simple cuttings is the same as for metal forms. Just press on the dough and the figure is ready. Cutting out of 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 cookies, you must attach the product to the dough and press on the piston. When this occurs, the dough is squeezed out. The figures are neat with smooth edges. When cutting dough using a plunger, the confectionery is small and low. When choosing a plastic product, there are several aspects to consider.

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

Silicone form has several advantages. The product is baked evenly, not burning. In order to pull the cookies, you just need to turn the form inside out. Silicone products are conveniently stored 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 can be deformed.

Cast-iron models for cutting cookies are considered the most outdated option. But at the same time products made of cast iron are very durable and time-tested. Cast iron heats up quickly, which contributes to uniform heating of the product. Due 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 of any temperature, and baking does not burn. The dough is baked evenly and does not burn due to the thick walls of the ceramic.

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 glass products are very thick. This makes the dough even baking.

There are also disadvantages: baking is burning and it is difficult to clean the inner glass surface. In order to avoid burning the dish, put parchment paper for baking in a glass form.

The stores have a huge range of bakeware bakeware. 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 to be more complex shapes. For example, cuttings in the form of animals. Forms "Bear" and "Fish" will delight any child and involve 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 beginning to learn arithmetic and the alphabet.

For any special occasion you can prepare a festive sweet treat. The most favorite holiday for all is the New Year. In stores you can find a large number of molds for ginger Christmas cookies. So, the Christmas theme is represented by figures of Christmas trees, Santa Claus and Snow Maiden, deer, sandman, angels, mittens, Christmas hats, bells, balls, candy and snowflakes. Products in the form of snowflakes are the most popular. Cookies turn out beautiful and gentle with an openwork ornament.

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

Also released Easter bakeware festive cookies. For Easter, manufacturers make forms "Tulip" and "Egg". The “Egg” form in some stores is presented in the form of a leaf-form with holes. An embossed image is embossed on the inner surface of each cell hole. The drawing makes the finished confection very original and interesting. Products in the form of chickens, hares, crosses, males and baskets are in demand.

Small boxes 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 leaf-form with cells under French cookies. The cells are made in the form of shells. The dough does not stick, does not stick, and it can be easily separated from the form.The size of the cells is 6.8x4.8x1.5 cm. Thanks to this, you can bake neatly shaped cookies. Also, the leaf-shape can be used to prepare the decor of chocolate.

There are one-time products. Produce such models of foil, but for a long time they will not last. Plus is the practicality of products. After use, you can simply throw it away. Single use models can be purchased individually or as a set. As a rule, the set consists of 6-12 pieces. The choice of such forms is presented in any household or pastry shop.

This is not quite true. Before baking cakes, the foil product must be oiled.

In products of one-time use, you can bake gingerbread. Molds for gingerbread made from cardboard. The figures are smooth and easily behind.

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

• Cookies and muffins work well if you bake them in silicone models. In them, the dough does not dry out, does not burn and perfectly separates. Silicone tins are easy to care for and they take up little space. It is also necessary to know that silicone models should be made from medical, not from technical material. The quality of the silicone baking molds must be confirmed by a special document or a quality certificate.
• For the selection of silicone products should also be aware of the brightness of shades. No need to choose bright products. They contain a high percentage of dye content. Of the benefits 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.
• The classic option for cutting dough for cookies is the form of metal. 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 lot of cookies at once, use a set of molds. They are produced in the form of sheets or plates with cells. They are metal, plastic or silicone. Designed primarily for cutting cookies and baking cupcakes.
• For the preparation of wafer biscuits use special silicone molds with cells, on the inner surface of which put a relief image. Also produce special equipment - electric waffle makers. The equipment works on the principle of a tool for baking nuts. The surface of the form 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 decorated with dessert.

It is very easy to use cookie cutters. If the product is new, first you need to rinse it with warm water with detergent and dry it well. Then you need to roll out the dough about 5 mm thick. In order to avoid sticking of the dough, it is necessary to dip the mold in the flour. After you need to put the product on the dough and push. Used residues of the test are collected, they can be used again.

Some guidelines for the use of biscuit cutters:

• Aluminum models that have a non-stick coating are not allowed to be used on an open fire and on an electric stove;
• It is forbidden to clean the molds with a non-stick layer 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 the microwave;
• Store any product in a dry, dark place.

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

For information on how to make forms for cookies, see below.