My cookie cutter collection spans more than fifty years since I inherited my mother's cutters with just one or two that had belonged to her mother as well. My favorites are those handmade of metal by family businesses around the country. The shapes of the cutters amaze and amuse me. My fascination started as a child watching Mama press some very special red plastic cutters into very thick dough.(These were known as "Aunt Chick's" cutters and can still be found on the web and on Ebay.) Later, I used those same vintage cutters with clay dough to make decorations for our tree and those of other family members. My sister still has hers and I think her children (now adults) remember them, too.
Cookie cutters aren't limited to Christmas, of course. They embellish other holidays as well. Do you have a favorite cutter, or cookie or story? Please visit my guestbook below.
Contents of this lens are copyright, 2006-2008 by Marguerite Manor. All rights reserved. Thank you.
More Cookie Books on Amazon
Betty Crocker's Cooky Book
My all time favorite cookbook. I bought my first copy of this book forty years ago and used to bake cookies as my annual gift to everyone that I know. A basic, wonderful, timeless book.
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 12/24/2009) 
Betty Crocker Christmas Cookbook
On my wishlist, because I still collect cookbooks even though I don't use them as much any more.
Amazon Price: $17.13 (as of 12/24/2009)
Betty Crocker's Ultimate Cookie Book
Amazon Price: (as of 12/24/2009)
Betty Crocker's Cookie Book: More Than 250 of America's Best-Loved Cookies
Amazon Price: (as of 12/24/2009)
Maida Heatter's Brand-New Book of Great Cookies
Maida Heatter is a wonderful cookbook writer. I have an earlier version of this book.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/24/2009)
Craft Ideas for Cookie Cutters
They make great templates for drawing and other craft projects, especially applique. Trace carefully with a non-toxic crayon and be sure to save your patterns to reuse. I have made cards using fabric designs made with the cutter shapes glued or bonded with a hot iron and transfusible webbing to a variety of paper and card stock. These are fun to make, very original and have been well received.
Cookie cutters make great ornaments for a Jesse tree and also make Twelve Days of Christmas ornaments--fun sets to give as gifts.
My Two Most Favorite Ever Cookie Cutter Makers
- Foose Cookie Cutters
- A family owned business with a great variety of cutters including a Nativity set.
- Little Fox Factory
- The first company I became aware of when I was selling cookie cutters in the 1980's. In addition to a Nativity set they have many dog breeds. I cherish my Keeshond cutter because it reminds me of my family's beloved dog.
These folks have a page of recipes that includes a chocolate sugar cookie recipe. Yum! Very good recipe--I've tried it. (Guess I'll have to do another module on cookie recipes soon!)
Great Stuff on Amazon
RM 5" Snowflake #2 Style Metal Cookie Cutter for Holiday Baking / Christmas Party Favors / Scrapbooking Stencil
Amazon Price: $1.50 (as of 12/24/2009)
R & M Gingerbread Cookie Cutter Set - 6 pcs
Amazon Price: $8.75 (as of 12/24/2009)
Wilton Stars Nesting Metal Cutter Set
Amazon Price: $8.63 (as of 12/24/2009)
Links for Cookie Cutter Crafts
- All About Clay Dough
- Great clay dough recipes and things to do with it.
- Amish Christmas
- Part of an amazing collection of lenses, this one has a recipe for "sparkly" clay dough. More salt than any other recipe I have ever seen makes the dough sparkle. I really want to give it a try!
- St. Nicholas Center
- This links directly to the St. Nicholas Center page that contains the papers for the cookies. They have cutters too.
Decorating Cookies
An Art in Itself
Decorating cookies is truly an art form. The ones in this picture were edible. By changing the materials you use but using the same techniques you can make ornaments that will last for years. My friend, Linda Powers, an accomplished artist and baker taught me much in an intense afternoon of cookie decorating.Use a toothpick dipped into food color paste to swirl a different color into the icing. Pipe one color around the outside edge of the cookie. That will make a border and also contain the main icing.
We didn't use any chocolate icing that afternoon. That is certainly a possiblility though.
Use your imagination and have fun. As you can see, you needn't be constrained by conventional colors. We made these cookies for Valentine's Day in 2004 and our colors ran wild!
Cookie Baking Books on Amazon
The King Arthur Flour Cookie Companion: The Essential Cookie Cookbook
Amazon Price: $23.10 (as of 12/24/2009)
Betty Crocker Cookie Book
Amazon Price: $15.61 (as of 12/24/2009)
The French Cookie Book
I have this book. It is not a basic cookbook, but it is elegant and I think it would be rewarding to work through it if you want to learn a great deal about baking.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/24/2009)
Rose's Christmas Cookies
My second most favorite for Christmas cookie baking. All of her books are beautiful and the food is delicious.
Amazon Price: $21.56 (as of 12/24/2009)
Cookie Cutters on EBay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Cookie Ingredients
- Chocolate
Chocolate bits
Sugar
Flour
Nuts
Butter
Baking Powder
Candied Fruit
Honey
and more!
Cookie Cutter and Cookie Guestbook
Please share your favorite cookie anecdotes!
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Reply
- margueritemanor margueritemanor Oct 12, 2008 @ 12:16 pm
- Hi CKConrad.
Sorry for taking so long to get back to you. I was going to email you, but in posting your comment, I accidentally deleted your contact info.
Those "very special cutters" are Aunt Chick's. I googled and found a number of places, including Ebay, so I think that if you search Aunt Chick's cookie cutters, you will find them. These are the ones that are like molds.
Another style that was also popular are called HRM. These are flatter, although they will leave a design impression if the dough is thick enough. Search on HRM or red plastic cookie cutters and you will find sellers.
Good luck. It is always so nice to continue family traditions.
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Reply
- margueritemanor margueritemanor Oct 12, 2008 @ 12:00 pm
- ckconrad
Marguerite: Do you know the name of the company that manufactured those "very special red plastic cutters"? It was located in Massachusetts and I ordered some in the late 1970's; now, the next generation is looking for them. Thanks. ckc
Posted October 08, 2008 03:40 PM
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Reply
- margueritemanor margueritemanor Nov 19, 2007 @ 1:27 pm
- See the link I just posted to the St. Nicholas Center above.
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Reply
- cmtrzos@att.net cmtrzos@att.net Nov 17, 2007 @ 2:51 pm
- Need HELP locating Father Christmas paper for 5 1/2" cutter. The cookie cutter is the stainless steel German Father Christmas. any suggestions would be appreciated...
by margueritemanor
Marguerite Manor(Peggy Manor to her family and friends)is a writer and graphic artist. She holds a BA in Medieval History with Honors from Stanford Un...
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