Cookie cutters are amazing, no doubt, and they have served in kitchens faithfully for decades. But making great, perfectly-shaped cookies with the exact amount of batter in every one of them, each one the exact same size so that the whole batch bakes perfectly… you need the best cookie press. It will make the cookie-making process not only easy but super fun as well.
What I have below are 10 presses that are, simply put, amazing:
Our Best Cookie Press In 2020
| PRODUCT | DISKS | BEST FOR | HIGHLIGHTED FEATURES |
|
12 | Best Overall |
|
 Marcato 8307BLK Atlas Deluxe |
20 | Best High-end |
|
 Wilton Simple Success Cookie Press |
12 | Best Value |
|
|
Plate with 5 shapes | Best for Firm Dough |
|
1. OXO Good Grips Cookie Press
Highlighted Features
- Clear cylinder
- Lever handle
- 12 disks
- Storage case for disks
- Non-slip base
This cookie press is quite popular with the users. It has an easy to use lever handle to push out perfect cookies effortlessly, every time!
Construction: This cookie press by OXO has a clear barrel and a thick, sturdy stainless steel shaft. The base of the cookie press is non-slip and the handle of the press is a lever mechanism. The press is about 10 inches tall which gives it quite a large capacity. This piece comes with 12 different disks made entirely out of stainless steel so they won’t be rusting any time soon. The disks are of various shapes, including bear, sunflower, leaf, heart, tree, shell, wreath, etc. All these disks come with a compact storage box as well. If you want more disks to complement your set, you can get about 6 more pieces.
Function: The cookie press is quite straightforward and simple enough to use. All you do is screw off the top, put in the disk that you want to use followed by your cookie dough, screw the top back on and just proceed to push out your fabulous cookies. The comfortable lever mechanism allows you to just let the press rest on the baking sheet and push the lever down. Also, the base of the press is non-slip, so you don’t have to worry about holding the barrel in place while you squeeze out the cookies.
Since the barrel of the press is clear, you have a constant look into it while you press out your cookies so you know when you’re running out of dough.
Cleaning and maintenance: The cookie press comes apart, and this allows you to clean it quite easily. OXO doesn’t say if it is dishwasher-safe or not, though, so put it in there at your own risk. Even so, owing to the easy assembly and disassembly, it is quite easy to wash by hand. Just try to dry it as well as you can before you put it away as you don’t want the stainless steel parts to rust.
Pros
- Clear cylinder
- A lever is easy to handle
- Press doesn’t slip on the sheet
- Disassembles for easy cleaning
- Comes with a lot of disks
Cons
- Plastic construction-might break
2. Marcato 8307BLK Atlas Deluxe
Highlighted Features
- Mostly metal construction
- ABS plastic pushing disk
- 20 traditional cookie shapes
- Available in multiple colors
- Pretty
This is a very good-looking cookie press that you can even leave out on the counter and it will just add to the decor. It is available in a lot of colors as well.
Construction: This very pretty cookie press by Marcato deserves to be called ‘deluxe’ in all ways possible. It has a construction that is completely metal, with the parts that come in contact with food, including the top and bottom ones, of anodized aluminum while the rest of it, including the disks, is steel. The disk that pushes the dough, though, is ABS plastic. The press has a push lever handle and the opaque, black barrel or cylinder has ‘biscuits’ written on it that simply appeals to one’s aesthetic sense. The Marcato comes with a whopping 20 cookie shape disks and also has a 10-year warranty.
Function: The Marcato can be used quite easily by rolling the dough into a tube and putting it in the cylinder, after slipping in the disk that you want to use. Then just put the press onto your baking sheet and push down on the lever. You will have beautiful cookies consistently in no time at all. The base is not non-slip, however, so just take a little bit of care while you push down on the lever as you don’t want the press to slip and slide and thus damage the output.
The cookie press can also determine the size of the cookies through a knob. You can make 30-40 small or about 20 large cookies in one filling of the cylinder. One problematic thing is that the opaque cylinder doesn’t let you know how much dough you’re left with. So while you have that ultra-beautiful look, you have to do a bit of guesswork to pay for it.
Cleaning and maintenance: The Marcato needs to be hand-washed and dried thoroughly. It goes without saying, considering all of that metal, and you really don’t want your press to rust away. It is, however, easy, as the whole thing disassembles quickly to make the cleaning process effortless.
Pros
- Sturdy, long-lasting construction
- 10-year warranty
- Easy assembly and disassembly
- Adds to the decor
- Available in multiple colors
Cons
- Opaque barrel
3. Wilton Simple Success Cookie Press
Highlighted Features
- Plastic construction
- Soft handle
- 12 disks
- Clear barrel
This cookie press by Wilton has a pretty white and purple look and offers the best value for money… you can’t get better than this for the price.
Construction: Wilton Simple Success cookie press is made entirely out of plastic, with the shaft and the disks being stainless steel. The barrel or the cylinder of the press is clear and see-through, while the rest of the construction is white and purple plastic. The handle is a squee-trigger with a soft grip. The press comes with 12 steel disks of varying designs like starburst, sunburst, doilies, etc. The designs also include seasonal patterns like Christmas tree, wreath, turkey, snowman, pumpkin, etc.
Function: The Wilton cookie press just needs you to put the dough in after the disk that you require, screw on the top and just get to the process of making amazing cookies. The press doesn’t have a non-slip base, as in the base is regular plastic, but the easy to use handle makes up for it. The easy squeeze-trigger mechanism means you don’t have to actually rest the press onto the sheet. You just press the bottom down onto the baking tray and squeeze the handle to push out a perfectly-shaped cookie, all the while using just one hand.
It’s basically like a gun, except that the design of the handle is a lot more ergonomic as it doesn’t cause any stress to your arm and wrist at all. Also, the handle is soft and really comfortable to hold.
Cleaning and maintenance: The press comes apart and you can clean it quite easily. Which is quite a good thing as the press is not dishwasher safe and needs to be hand-washed only. Make sure you dry it completely so the metal shaft and the disks don’t rust. The disks don’t come with a storage container so be careful while putting them away as you wouldn’t like to find yourself short of the tree during all that Christmas baking, for example.
Pros
- See-through barrel
- Easy-to-use handle
- 12 disks
- Great value for money
Cons
- Not dishwasher-safe
4. Fante’s 12007 Easy Cookie Press
Highlighted Features
- Metal construction
- Shiny silver color
- 5 cookie styles
- Crank handle
- Comes with Fante family recipe
This amazing cookie press makes 5 different types of Italian cookies and has a full metal body, the shine of which will certainly light up your kitchen.
Construction: This cookie press by Fante’s has a full metal construction which is a great help as it is specially built for working with hard dough. This cookie press is a bit different from the regular presses that you might encounter as it doesn’t have discs to shape the cookies. Instead, it has a single metal plate with 5 different styles of cookies, all Italian, that slides into shape quite easily. The handle is neither a push lever nor a squeeze-trigger; rather, it is a crank-handle, also metal. The cookie press is quite easy to assemble and to disassemble.
Function: To use this press, you simply need to load it with your dough, slide whatever slot you need to use into place, and then just turn the crank handle. This cookie press requires you to use both of your hands, as you have to hold the barrel in one and turn the handle by the other. So you might need to fix your parchment to the tray securely before you begin to press out your cookies as you won’t be able to hold it in place during the process. Also, this press involves a bit of guesswork as the metallic barrel is opaque so you won’t know exactly how much dough you have left.
Since this dough has a tough, metal construction, it is great for hard dough like the dough for cheese straws, for example. You can push away all you like and the strings on the top where the handle screws on to the barrel won’t be damaged.
Cleaning and maintenance: This cookie press requires hand-washing and its all-metal build demands that you dry it very thoroughly after you’ve washed it with warm, soapy water so it doesn’t rust when you put it away.
Pros
- Great for Italian cookies
- Has 5 different styles
- Good for tough dough
- Easy assembly
- Has the Fante family recipe
Cons
- Crank handle
5. Wilton Cookie Press
Highlighted Features
- Plastic and metal
- Trigger handle
- Clear barrel
- Hourglass shape
- 12 disks
The Wilton Preferred cookie press has an ergonomic build overall, with a squeeze handle and an hourglass shape of the main body.
Construction: This cookie press has a plastic squeeze trigger and cylinder, while the rest of the press is metal, including the disks. Speaking of disks, there are 12 of those that Wilton refers to as ‘Fit Right’ disks. The main body of the press is of clear plastic, while the squeeze trigger is black. The top part of the handle, however, is metal, which also screws onto the plastic barrel. The whole thing is prettily set off by the purple disk on the top of the plunger. The base is slightly raised so you can easily swap the Fit Right disks.
Function: The Wilton Preferred cookie press has a very ergonomic design. The squeeze trigger handle makes it easy to use single-handedly while the hourglass figure makes it quite comfortable to hold the barrel if you are, in fact, not using it single-handedly. All you have to do is put in the disk that you want, roll the dough and put it in the barrel and then just secure the cap and get to your cookie-making. The clear, see-through cylinder lets you know just how much dough you’re left with and eliminates guess-work on your part.
You should not, however, use this press for very tough dough. The barrel is plastic and thus has plastic threads where the metal top screws onto it. If you try to push out dough that is too hard you might end up with the top popping off completely, damaging the plastic threads of the barrel and effectively ruining your cookie press. Just stick to dough that isn’t too hard and you’ll be fine.
Cleaning and maintenance: The people at Wilton recommend that you hand-wash this cookie press, before first use and then after every use. It comes apart quite easily and completely, so skipping the dishwasher isn’t that big of a deal. Plus, the barrel is clear plastic, so you’ll know if you’ve left any spots to clean quite easily. Don’t forget to dry thoroughly so the metal parts of your cookie press don’t fall prey to rust.
Pros
- Easy-to-hold hourglass shape
- One-handed squeeze trigger
- 12 disks
- Clear barrel eliminates guesswork
Cons
- Not for tough dough
6. Cookie Press And Moon Cake Mold By Dltsli
Highlighted Features
- Makes mooncakes as well
- 6 disks
- Small
- Spring-handle
This cookie press is a bit different than other presses on this list, which makes it multi-function as you can also make mooncakes with it.
Construction: This cookie press or mooncake mold by Dltsli is made out of BPA-free and food-safe plastic. It has a light, pastel look and a simple construction. The barrel, so to speak, is small and has a capacity of 50 g. The stamping system is a press-handle with a spring attachment. The press comes with 6 different types of stamps that you can use to either press shapes onto your cookies or to make mooncakes.
Function: To use this press, you need to put in the stamp and then turn the handle clockwise so it is fixed properly. Then, you put in your dough and press out your cookie onto the baking sheet. The amount of dough you put into the barrel will determine the thickness of your cookie, so you can adjust that accordingly. To remove the stamp you need to turn the handle anti-clockwise. It’s that simple.
Cleaning and maintenance: The manufacturer doesn’t say much about cleaning, but the mostly plastic construction can probably withstand the dishwasher. If you would like to keep it away from it, however, that is also easy enough to manage as hand-washing this tiny thing is not that big of a deal.
Pros
- BPA-free and food-safe
- Easy to use
- Easy to store
- Portable
- Has 6 stamps
Cons
- Not enough capacity
7. Cookie Press Gun By KAMIDA
Highlighted Features
- Gun-style press
- BPA-free plastic
- Cleaning brushes
- A lot of add-ons
A great thing about this piece by KAMIDA is that it comes with two cleaning brushes which will make clean-up really easy for you. In addition to that, there are a LOT of add-ons as well.
Construction: This cookie press has an all-plastic construction, except for the shaft down the center of the press which is metal. Even the disks of the press are ABS and PP plastic. The material is, of course, BPA-free so you shouldn’t worry on that account. The press comes with two cleaning brushes, 2 silicone baking sheets, 16 stencils, a 100 ml measuring cup, and 6 piping nozzles
Function: KAMIDA has essentially provided a full cookie-making kit in one package. You have your press, and your measuring cup and your baking sheets in addition to your stencils… all you need is the dough. Once you have that, pull the plunger all the way to the back, unscrew the bottom and put in your dough. Fix the stencil that you want to use onto the bottom ring before screwing it back on and just push out your cookies effortlessly and one-handedly.
Also, the barrel of the cookie press is clear plastic so it allows you to keep an eye on just how much dough you’re left with so you don’t run out suddenly and unexpectedly.
Cleaning and maintenance: Since the manufacturer has provided cleaning brushes, it is safe to assume that the product is not dishwasher-safe. But the brushes make clean-up easy as you can reach every nook and cranny of the press and ensure that no greasy bit of dough remains behind. Dry thoroughly once you’re done cleaning so the metal shaft doesn’t rust.
Pros
- Gun-style press is easy to use
- Food-safe material
- 16 disks provide a wide variety
- Easy clean-up
- Attractive add-ons
Cons
- All plastic build – might break
8. Classic Cookie Press By Zulay Kitchen
Highlighted Features
- Metal construction
- 20 disks
- 4 icing tips
- Press lever handle
- Size-adjusting knob
This cookie press by Zulay Kitchen has a full metal construction and is quite easy to use, the only drawback being the opaque barrel which hides the contents within.
Construction: Zulay Kitchen’s cookie press is made almost completely out of metal, except for the knob on the top of the plunger, which is clear plastic. The metal is all stainless steel and anodized aluminum, making the press a sturdy gadget. The cookie press has a press lever handle and comes with 20 stainless steel disks, along with 4 icing tips as well.
Function: To use this cookie press, you need to screw off the bottom metal ring and put in your desired disk before screwing it back on. Then, just load the barrel or cylinder with your dough after unscrewing the top, pull the plunger all the way back and screw the top back onto the barrel. Let the press rest on your baking sheet and press the handle down while holding the barrel in one hand. Owing to its press lever handle, you will need both hands to use this press.
Since the barrel is metal and hence not see-through, you will need a bit of guesswork on your part so you don’t run out of dough half-way.
Cleaning and maintenance: Although Zulay Kitchen doesn’t say if it is dishwasher safe or not, but if you want to preserve this all-metal gadget then you should take a little bit of care with its cleaning by hand-washing with gentle soaps and then drying as well as you can. The disks don’t come with a storage box so you’ll need to pay some attention while using them and while putting them away so you don’t find yourself a couple short the next time you’re baking.
Pros
- Sturdy build
- Easy-press lever
- Multiple cookie shapes
- 20 to 40 cookies of varying shapes
Cons
- Opaque barrel
9. Cambom Clear Cookie Press Gun Kit
Highlighted Features
- Plastic
- 16 plastic disks
- 6 decorating tips
- Gun-style press
- Food-grade material
The cookie press by Cambom is made almost completely of plastic and is available in three different colors so you can choose whichever suits your fancy, or goes well with your decor.
Construction: This cookie press has a body of plastic but the squeeze-trigger that attaches to the plastic handle and the shaft down the barrel are made of metal. The press comes with 16 different cookie disks and 6 decorating tips which are also plastic. The disks include wreath, Christmas tree, snowflakes, etc. so you’re all set for the most wonderful time of the year. The plastic parts are all ABS and PP, hence BPA-free and completely food-safe so you don’t have to worry about feeding your family any harmful chemicals along with your delicious cookies.
Function: The gun style of this press allows you to work one-handed if you so desire since you don’t have to hold it as you squeeze the trigger. To use this press you need to pull the plunger all the way back, unscrew the bottom off and then load the barrel with your dough. Then, fix the disk that you want into the bottom ring, screw it back on and proceed to press out your beautiful, uniform cookies onto the baking sheet. Take care to not use dough that is too hard as the top might pop off with too much pressure, leading to the damage of the plastic threads.
Cleaning and maintenance: The manufacturer advises that you hand-wash this gadget. All parts come off quite easily, making cleanup a breeze. Just unscrew the top and bottom off and wash with warm water and soap. You can use a small brush to clean the nozzles if there’s something stuck in them. Dry well so the metal shaft doesn’t rust. Also, take care when you store the disks as there’s no storage case and you might lose some if you’re not careful.
Pros
- Gun-style easy to use
- 16 disks offer a variety
- Nozzles can be used for decorating
- Available in multiple colors
Cons
- Not good for hard dough
10. Norpro Deluxe Cookie Press With Icing Gun
Highlighted Features
- Metal
- Push lever
- 10-ounce capacity
- Icing nozzles
- Instruction booklet
Norpros’s cookie press comes with icing tips that not only allow you to frost your cakes, they also make churros for you with a little bit of practice on your part.
Construction: This cookie press by Norpro is made of aluminum; even the knob of the plunger is metal, which is commonly of plastic in other, similar models. It comes with 20 disks, which are die-cast aluminum and also has 4 plastic icing nozzles. The press mechanism of this gadget is a press lever. The cookie press has a capacity of 10 ounces and comes with an instruction booklet and beginner recipes.
Function: The press is simple enough to use, although some people do seem to have a bit of a problem with the assembly and disassembly. Just fix in the disk that you want to use, put in your dough, screw the top on tightly and go ahead and make your cookies. The handle is a pressing one and not a squeeze trigger one, so you’ll have to use both hands to use this gadget; one to hold the barrel in place and the other to push down the handle. The barrel is opaque so you’ll need to keep an eye out on the amount of dough you’re left with so you don’t run out unexpectedly.
Since you’re provided with icing tips as well, you can also utilize your cookie press to decorate your cakes, cupcakes, etc.
Cleaning and maintenance: Norpro advises that you hand-wash this cookie press so take care to not put it in the dishwasher. Just take the press apart and hand-wash with warm, soapy water. Take extra care while drying it so the metal doesn’t rust.
Pros
- Aluminum construction
- Variety of shapes
- Can be used as an icing gun
- Large, 1.25-cup capacity
Cons
- Opaque barrel
Things To Look For Before Buying!
Most of the cookie presses out there are almost similar, with just minor differences in the models. It can be a bit hard to make the buying decision. However, when you are looking to buy a cookie press, you should keep certain things in mind.
While getting a cookie press, consider:
- Durability
- Ease of use
- Easy cleaning
- Number of decorative disks
Buying Guide
Some General Things About A Cookie Press
When you head out to buy a cookie press, you are bound to have some questions. Even if this is quite a cheap gadget, no one wants to throw away money. So, of course, you have questions when you look at a couple or more of presses and wonder just how you should weigh your choices in order to land on the right one. Let’s address those questions now.
Types Of Material Used In Cookie Presses
Like almost everything out there, you will find a cookie press in multiple materials. Some cookie presses are all metal, some are all plastic, and some are even a combination of the two. By combination, I mean taking almost equal parts of both materials, as metal presses have a bit of plastic and plastic presses have a bit of metal in them, generally speaking.
Plastic cookie presses: Plastic cookie presses are almost entirely made out of plastic, which is generally ABS or PP, and BPA-free. The main body, which is the cylinder, the handle, the top and bottom rings, etc. are all plastic. The shaft that runs down the center of the barrel is commonly metal. The disks that accompany these presses are generally stainless steel or aluminum, but sometimes the disks are also made of plastic.
These presses should ideally not be used for dough that is too hard, as the extra pressure needed to squeeze out that dough might cause the top ring to pop off, causing damage, often irreversible, to the threads. A good thing about these presses is that they have clear, see-through barrels that allow you to see the dough in them at all times, eliminating guesswork on your part as to how much dough you are left with.
Metal cookie presses: These cookie presses are generally of aluminum or stainless steel. Almost all parts are metal, but sometimes the knob of the plunger is made of plastic. The disks that come with these presses are also metal, usually aluminum or stainless steel. The metal construction gives the presses a bit more durability as compared to their plastic counterparts, but still, you should avoid using any extra-hard dough as your press might break under the strain.
The part where these presses are a bit problematic is that their metallic barrels or cylinders are not see-through, so you need to keep an eye out on just how much dough remains so you don’t run out right in the middle.
Metal and plastic presses: These presses have a bit of both. Usually, they have a clear, plastic barrel which lets you in the know of how much dough you have in there at any given moment. The handles of these presses have some quantity of metal in them which makes them durable and easy to use at the same time. The top and bottom rings are usually metal, while the disks that accompany them are also normally metal.
What Exactly Is A Cookie Press Used For?
This is a pretty self-answering question: for cookies. True, it is used to make cookies, but not just any cookies. It is used to make cookies that are uniform, are the exact same size and have the exact same amount of batter in them. Anyone who bakes cookies knows how hard it is to achieve a uniformity in cookies. Yes, you can use a cookie cutter for regular shapes, but the whole process of lifting the cut-out cookies and putting them on the tray somehow ends up damaging the cookies.
A cookie press, on the other hand, eliminates the whole process of dusting the surface, rolling out the dough to a uniform thickness, cutting out shapes carefully, lifting them up with a spatula, and putting them on the baking sheet. All you have to do is roll up your dough, load it in the barrel of the press along with the desired disk of the shape that you want your cookies to be, and then just press out your cookies directly onto the baking sheet. All your cookies will be equal in size, shape, and thickness, and will be made so much faster.
How Do You Use A Cookie Press For Frosting?
Many cookie presses come with icing tips along with their regular disks. Instead of those disks, you just need to fix the nozzle that you wish to use in the bottom ring of the press and screw it into place. Then you can use the press in your regular manner. You might find crank handles or push levers a bit too difficult for frosting as you won’t have a lot of control, especially if you are a beginner to this. Gun-style cookie presses are much better suited to this type of work.
Cleaning A Cookie Press
Almost all cookie presses come with a ‘hand-wash recommended’ tag. If yours doesn’t, then you should still probably avoid the appliance anyway. Cookie presses have detachable parts, and the whole thing comes apart in seconds. Just unscrew the top and the bottom, remove the disk or the nozzle that you were using and proceed to hand-wash with warm, soapy water. Once you are done washing, dry the press completely, taking special care if your gadget is metal as you don’t want to lose it to rust.
Conclusion
With all possible questions answered and some great products reviewed, you can now pick whichever press seems the best for you and make amazing, yummy, consistent cookies in no time at all!