If there is one snack which everyone in the world loves, it will have to be cookies. Particularly since they are versatile and come in so many varieties such as sugar cookies, shortbreads and festive linzer cookies.
Besides, no other snack lets you add your own personal touch to it like they do.
This means you can recreate that special feeling you get when you open a pack of Oreos, digestives or bourbon biscuits right in your home. And it’s all thanks to cookie stamps which will let you do just that in the most creative ways imaginable.
Evaluation Criteria
Material
Some of the best cookie stamps on the market are made from either stoneware or from silicone. Both are great and require different methods of transferring your selected design.
Stoneware and silicone cookie stamps provide a nonstick surface to allow for a faster transfer; however, you will find that it is best to dust the stamp with flour before pressing it into your cookie dough.
Price
The cost of your cookie stamp is also something to consider. If you are looking for something made from stoneware, these generally cost more because of the material it is made from and how delicate the material is in order to create a design. Silicone stamps are usually less expensive and are more commonly seen on the market.
However, if you were to choose a custom design, this will cost extra because the manufacturer will need to create the design themselves for your personal use.
Maintenance
Some cookie stamps that you find on the market will claim that they are dishwasher safe, which in all rights they can be. However, if you are not in too much of a rush, then it is highly recommended to wash cookie stamps in warm soapy water. This will ensure the cookie stamp’s durability.
Durability
Silicone cookie stamps as well as stoneware options are very resilient. However, they both have their weaknesses as well. Silicone ones are great because they do not break easily; although, it would be wise to hand wash these as they may not be capable of handling the heat from the dishwasher.
A stoneware cookie stamp has the potential of breaking more easily than a silicone stamp. This poses as a problem if you should accidentally drop it because there is the potential of it breaking or cracking.
Using stamps is generally a simple concept but we have a few tricks to ensure a successfully stamped cookie!
10 Best Cookie Stamps
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Cookie Stamps Success Tips
Firstly, you should decrease the baking powder or baking soda agent that you use, or abandon it altogether.
Another surefire way to validate success with your cookie stamps is to ensure that there is enough flour in your dough to avoid your cookies from dispersing too much while baking.
However, your dough shouldn’t become so sticky that you need to put flour on your hands, however, it also should not be dry and crumbly either.
Next, divide the dough and form balls approximately two tablespoons big and roll into round balls using your hands before stamping. Using a rolling pin is an optional step; however it will provide cleaner edges.
Make sure that you generously flour the stamp before using it to press your cookie.
Next, use a cookie sheet which is completely clean in order for the dough can stick to the sheet when the stamp is lifted away from the cookie.
Place your stamped cookies into your oven to bake. Allow the cookies to bake until they are ready but not browned. Let them cool down for a couple of minutes. Do not allow your cookies to completely cool on the cookie sheet or your cookies will be difficult to remove from the pan.
Alternative Tips for the Perfect Stamped Cookies
1. Recipe
Make sure that you are using the appropriate recipe for stamping cookies because not all recipes are created equal! You will find that some cookie recipes will spread too much and will not keep your stamps as well. It is better to ensure that the recipe you do use does not spread.
2. Chilling Your Dough
Placing your cookie dough for a minimum of twenty minutes before stamping and after stamping for approximately an hour before baking, in the refrigerator will aid in setting the stamp design into your cookie.
3. Flouring Your Stamp Before Use
In order to make sure that your stamp does not stick to the dough, ensure that you generously dust your cookie stamp with flour and tap any excess flour off before you stamp your dough.
It is also important to repeat this step in between each stamp. It is also important to note that you must flour your stamp before stamping fondant as well.
4. Appropriate Oven Temperature
It is crucial that your oven is at the appropriate temperature before adding your chilled cookie dough. If you do not make sure this step is completed, you can experience a longer baking times as well as allowing your cookies time to spread.
5. Do Not Roll Your Dough Too Much
It has been found that the less you handle your dough and roll it, the better results your cookies will provide.
It has also been found and worth noting that after your dough has been rolled more than two times, then it is best to place it back in the refrigerator and allow to chill before continuing to place it in the oven.
6. Using Fondant
Additionally, you can obtain great results if you use fondant to cover your cookies. By using fondant, you are able to add color to your cookies!
Alternative Ingredients to Make Healthy Cookies
Everyone enjoys a cookie, but when you are on a diet, you find yourself in temptations way. However, there are ways for you to make a healthier cookie by substituting some of the ingredients!
Margarine
When you are preparing to make a healthier cookie, you should first substitute butter for margarine. It is a fact that hydrogen and vegetable fats are commonly found in regular margarine merge to shape trans fats, there are types of margarine you can find that are made from vegetable oils that comprise less trans fats than normal butter, margarine, and lard.
Dried Egg Powder
If you are trying to decrease the cholesterol and calorie count that is found in your cookies, then you should consider making your cookies with dried egg powder instead of eggs.
However, when you are inserting dried egg powder to your cookie dough, you will also need to include some liquid so that the powder is the same consistency of regular eggs.
However, if you find yourself not particularly liking the idea of using egg powder in your cookie dough, then there is also an alternative for that! There are already prepared egg substitutes that you can use in its place. These products usually provide the same flavor and consistency as actual eggs but comprise a fraction of the cholesterol and calories.
However, if you want to stay with using the eggs, then make sure you only use the egg whites in your dough.
Applesauce
Applesauce may seem like an unconventional ingredient for your cookies. However, if you normally use sesame oil, canola oil, or cottonseed oil in your cookies, then applesauce may be an alternative ingredient you may be looking for.
Applesauce has oils which contain loads of saturated fats and can often times have a roust smell. Most kinds of applesauce found are generally fat free and include natural fructose. The fructose in the applesauce also gives your cookies some natural sweetness.
Soy Butter and Sesame Butter
If you enjoy making peanut butter cookies, then you would be excited to know that there is also a healthier alternative that provides a similar taste by using soy butter or sesame butter. Soy and sesame butter contains less calories and less fat than most kinds of peanut butter. Also, by using these alternative butters, you can give a person with peanut allergies the chance to try a peanut butter cookie without putting their health at risk.
Light Cream
Light cream is clearly a healthier choice than using heavy cream for your cookies. If you use light cream in your cookie dough, you will not notice in taste or texture because it acts the same way as heavy cream but contains less calories. You can also substitute skim milk for whole milk without the change affecting the flavor of your cookies!
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is also a great replacement of butter and fat. While mixing your dough, you can use precisely the same volume of coconut oil as you would butter. This ingredient will also give your cookies a tasty crunch!
Banana
Bananas can also be used as a substitute of butter for cookies and other baked goods. But, it is important to remember that bananas have a robust flavor, so it would be best to use this method if you are baking something that you want to have a banana flavor.
Avocado
Using avocado in your cookies is a great alternative for butter if you are baking with chocolate. The chocolate will conceal the green color. By using pureed avocado, you will be including nutrients to your cookie as well as making them soft and moist.
Raw Honey
Natural honey is a great way to naturally sweeten your cookies and other baked goods. You are able to use the same measurement of honey as you would sugar or you can even add a little less. It is also important to note that since honey is a liquid, it will bring plenty of moisture as a result!
Coconut Palm Sugar
Coconut palm sugar is a great substitute of brown sugar and provides a caramel taste as well as color to your baked goods. This ingredient will also give your cookies a hint of coconut taste, so keep this in mind when selecting a sweetener you want to use.
Stevia
Stevia is a great alternative sweetener, especially if you already happen to be a fan. It is a lot sweeter than regular cane sugar, so it can be used in any recipe that may not need a lot of sugar. You can also use half sugar and half stevia in your recipes. Aside from this alternative, you can also use stevia with honey or stevia with maple syrup!
Chia Seed
Chia seeds can be used as a substitute for eggs, with the exception of that it does not need to be ground. Chia seed has a jellylike texture which makes it an excellent binding agent for baked goods.
Flax Seed
Instead of using eggs, you can replace it with flax seed by mixing a tablespoon of ground flax seed with two or three tablespoons of water. This mixture will substitute one egg. After your mixture is combined, simply add it to the batter like you would an egg.
FAQs
What should I look for when buying them?
When looking for the best cookie stamps, you should look for baking stamps which are not only decorative but made from safe materials. It is also a good idea to purchase products which are easy to clean (are dishwasher safe) and are provided with as many features as possible, such as handles and cookie cutters.
Should I purchase them individually or in sets?
It depends on your preference and what brand you wish to purchase. However, it is worth noting that buying cookie stamps individually may mean having to purchase a large amount in order to enjoy a great variety which may cost significantly more than purchasing them in sets.
How can I clean my cookie stamp?
It is highly recommended that you wash any cookie stamp by hand in soapy warm water. You can use either a wooden skewer or a toothbrush to get rid of any dough that could have been trapped in the stamp’s design.
Are cookie stamps dishwasher safe?
Not every cookie stamp is. However, it is still highly recommended to wash any cookie stamp by hand in soapy warm water in order to guarantee the durability of your cookie stamp.
Can I customize fonts and designs?
There are many manufacturers that provide customization of any type of cookie stamp that you see. Generally, the fonts and designs that are featured on the manufacturer’s website have chosen that stamp specifically because they stamp very well.
However, if you are looking for something in particular, you are able to contact the manufacturer either through email or by phone in order to discuss various types of fonts or designs. It is important to note that most manufacturers will charge an additional design charge.
What can I customize these?
While you are discussing your customization with the manufacturer, you will be asked what text you wish to customize. It is important that you also check the product page of your selected manufacturer’s website in order to discover how many characters will fit on your cookie stamp.
The stamp did not work well while using it on my cookies. What went wrong?
There are not many secrets around creating the ideal stamped cookie. You can always find different kinds of recipes that hold the stamp imprints better and try other tips and tricks.
However, if you rather your own cookie recipe, you can use stamped fondant to cover your cookies. Either avenue you choose will provide you with extraordinary results!