Cookie Cutter

Cookie Cutter

Cookie Cutters: 4000 Years In The Making

At some point in our history some one thought that circles were just too boring a shape for all cookies. Cookie cutters were the answer, but how did they evolve? Here are just a few bits of info on the history of these famous kitchen tools for your enjoyment.

The modern day cookie cutter was not invented by one individual, but rather has evolved over time. In fact, you can go back as early as 2000 B.C. and find Egyptian ceramic or wooden baking molds that were used to bake up biscuits or cakes. Even back then they yearned for a bit more creativity, though pink frosting and rainbow sprinkles were still a ways off!

Fast forward to the 16th century and we see the popularity of the gingerbread man start to grow. written history tells us about the first gingerbread cookies appearing in Queen Elizabeth I's court in England. It appears she had these cookies made as small, edible replicas of some of her more extinguished guests. Off with their heads! (and arms and legs... and gumdrop buttons.) As these gingerbread cookies started to become popular requests from bake shops in the 17th century, shops started using metal cutters to expedite the process of producing them.

As Europeans migrated to America, so did some of their trends and customs, including the gingerbread man cookies and the cutters used to make them. It wasn't long before American metal workers started producing the cutters (in several shapes and sizes) and making them available to the general public. By the 19th century tin cookie cutters were being sold from shops and peddlers.

By the mid 1800's commercial machinery had developed in both the United States and Europe to the point that all sorts of products were moved from being made by hand to produced in factories. By the turn of the century many businesses were creating and distributing cookie cutters in this way, offering them in catalogs, advertising them, and even importing them from abroad.

While tin had been the main material for producing cookie cutters, they started being created from other materials as they became more available. During the mid 1900's we saw aluminum and plastic being used.

Cookie cutters continued to grow in popularity as more shapes were created. During the 1970's and into the 1980's more women became domestic and worked on their own crafts at home, including decorated cookies. During this era we also witnessed an increase in spendable income, allowing people to spend more on such hobbies. As with many other products, there was a trend during the last quarter of the century to make manufacturing less expensive, and more cookie cutters were being manufactured in the likes of Malaysia, China, and other countries. However, cookie cutter production somehow survived being moved completely out of country and there are still a good number of cutters being made in the United States.

Now you can find cookie cutters in just about any shape or size. Copper is now a commonly used material for cookie cutters, but plastic and tin are still the most commonly found. If you can't find a particular shape, there are cookie cutter companies that will create a custom shape for you. Likewise, you can buy your own kit to design and create your own cookie cutter.

While cookie cutters are being bought for the obvious purpose of cutting out sugar cookies, there is also a lot of people that search for, bid on, and buy cookies simply to collect them. There is even an official Cookie Cutter Collectors Club (CCCC) that meets regularly and has a big following. There are at least a couple of Cookie Cutter Museums, and enthusiasts even enjoy a "National Cookie Cutter Week" (started by the CCCC) during the first week of December. Of course this marks the beginning of the biggest time of the year for decorating cookies: the Christmas season. Even if you don't care for the holiday, who can resist biting into a yellow frosted star cookie?

About the Author

This information was written by Karen and Mike of Karen's Cookies - http://www.karenscookies.net .
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The Beatles Yellow Submarine Cookie Cutter $7.99 YELLOW SUBMARINE - COOKIE CUTTER

Egg Shaped Copper Cookie Cutter $8.49 Egg Shaped Copper Cookie Cutter

Party Cookie Cutter Set (set of 4) $6.99 Party Cookie Cutter Set

Star Cookie Cutter $1.95 This Star cookie cutter is great for your astronaut party, or even school events. Shop this and many other products at The Space Store.

Hatchling Copper Cookie Cutter $8.49 Bake up something special for your sweetie this Easter holiday (or any day for that matter) with the Egg Copper Cookie Cutter by Old River Road. This cookie cutter lets you cut out attractive hatchling shaped cookies, which your whole family will love biting into. This premium cutter has a solid copper construction that ensures years of use. Handcrafted to perfection, this Easter cookie cutter even makes an attractive and useful heirloom to be passed onto generations. This easy-to-clean cutter is dishwasher safe. Features: • Handcrafted cookie cutter • Premium solid copper • Makes a beautiful heirloom • Dishwasher safe • Shape: Easter Egg with Hatchling

Jungle Pals Cookie Cutter Set (set of 3) $5.99 Jungle Pals Cookie Cutter Set (set of 3)

Princess Cookie Cutter Set (set of 3) $5.99 Princess Cookie Cutter Set (set of 3)

Moon Crescent Cookie Cutter $1.95 This moon Cookie Cutter is great for your childs Astronaut Birthday party! Check out all of out party supplies at The Space Store.

Space Shuttle Cookie Cutter $1.95 This Space Shuttle Cookie Cutter is great for your childs Astronaut Birthday party! Check out all of out party supplies at The Space Store.

Rocket Cookie Cutter $1.95 This Rocket Cookie Cutter is great for your childs Astronaut Birthday party! Check out all of out party supplies at The Space Store.

Kelley Horse Head Cookie Cutter $6.95 The possibilities are endless with the Kelley Horse Head Cookie Cutter You'll enjoy hours of creativity and fun with the Kelley Horse Head Cookie Cutter. Decorate cookies with you and your friend's horses namesThe Kelley Horse Head Cookie Cutter is a large 7" stainless steel cookie cutter. Each cookie cutter comes with a ginger bread recipe on the back of the packaging. Also don't forget to make your horse a special treat

WILTON 192451 Jungle Pals Cookie Cutter Set $20.05 Jungle Pals Cookie Cutter Set includes 3 assorted metal cookie cutters in assorted shapes and colors. Each Cookie Cutter is approximately 3 W.

Alphabet Cookie Cutter Set $14.99 Learning the ABC?s is easy as cookies! The Alphabet Cookie Cutter Set includes 26 tin-plated cookie cutters and reusable storage tin to keep them all together. Features: Made of tin-plated steel 26-piece set Includes a tin container for storage Shape: Alphabets Size: Approximately 1" each

Kidsline JMCCOKIT Junior MasterChef Cookie Kit for Kids, Silicone Rolling Pin, Baking Mat, Star Shaped Cookie Cutter, Heart Shaped Cookie Cutter $29.99 Kidsline JMCCOKIT Junior MasterChef Cookie Kit for Kids, Silicone Rolling Pin, Baking Mat, Star Shaped Cookie Cutter, Heart Shaped Cookie Cutter

Candy Cane Copper Cookie Cutter $8.49 Bake up something special for your guests this holiday with the Candy Cane Copper Cookie Cutter by Old River Road. This cookie cutter lets you cut out attractive candy cane shaped cookies, which your whole family will love biting into. This premium cutter has a solid copper construction that ensures years of use. Handcrafted to perfection, this Christmas cookie cutter even makes an attractive and useful heirloom to be passed onto generations. This easy-to-clean cutter is dishwasher safe.Features: • Handcrafted cookie cutter • Premium solid copper • Makes a beautiful heirloom • Dishwasher safe • Shape: Candy Cane

Kelley Horse and Rider Cookie Cutter Set $8.95 The Kelley Horse and Rider Cookie Cutter Set is a cute take on a traditional cookie cutter. The two piece set lets you to create many combinations

Star Shaped Cookie Cutter $1.99 Make fun gifts with this Star Shaped Cookie Cutter. Made of tin plated steel, this cutter makes cleaner cuts and releases easier. The cutter can be used to make cookies to eat, hang or give.Features: • Made of tin plated steel • Cleaner cuts & easier release • Hand wash recommended • Star shapedSize: 2" diameter x 1" deep

August Thomsen Cookie Cutter Set. Each $15.72 Cookie-Cutter-Set-Plain 11 Piece. Manufacturer: August Thomsen Corporation. Each. 11 Pieces. Plain Edge. Customers also search for: Cookie Cutter Set - plain cookie cutter Bakery Supplies Cutters Cookie Plain

A Christmas Story Cookie Cutter $6.49 *From the classic move "A Christmas Story"*Plastic cookie cutter is shaped like your favorite major award - the leg lamp*Give this as a gift so that they too can feel like a winner!*Measures approximately 5"*Brand new in manufacturer packaging*Licensed product

Wedding Cookie Cutter Set Pkg/4 $4.99 Jazz up your bridal shower food with Wedding Cookies. This Wedding Cookie Cutters Set includes wedding dress, wedding cake, wedding bells and double heart cookie cutters. Each Wedding Cookie Cutter measure approximately 3 inches.

Number Cookie Cutter Set $8.49 Bake numbers with your kids with this Numbers Mini Cookie Cutter Set by Foxrun. Made of tinplated steel, this cutter set includes a tin container for storage. Features: • Made of tinplated steel • Easy to hold • Includes a tin container for storage • Shape: NumbersSize: 7/8" tall x 2 7/8" diameter

Puppy Cookie Cutter $1.99 Made of plastic. Cutter measures 3" wide x 4" long.

Gingerdead Men Cookie Cutter $6.99 Is ginger used in embalming? No. Is it an effective herbal ingredient in tinctures that increase longevity? Not really. Can you make a ginger tea that will make you look younger, reduce wrinkles, stem the effects of Alzheimers, macular degeneration, or arthritis? Sadly, no. Ginger is great for things like stomach aches and nausea, but will it lead to a longer life? Probably not. So it is with this cookie cutter that we remind ourselves of our mortality. The inevitability of death. The haunting spectre of Thanatos as he creeps up behind you, scythe at the ready... but it's not all bad news! At least we can get some cookies out of the deal, and that will make the years we have left to us that much more delicious! Gingerbread men are a delicious holiday cookie, but the ones we make have a twist. The cookie cutter we use, you see, cuts a wee little man shape out of your rolled gingerbread dough, while the other side presses a cutesy little skeleton into the surface. The finished cookie looks like a Gingerbread x-ray. A GingerDEAD man, if you will. Get one of your own right here! They're high-quality food-safe ABS plastic is durable, and cleans up quickly, so you can get back to eating more gingerbread cookies. Ginger may not keep your hair-line from receding, but at least they're delicious! Features One gingerbread man cookie-cutter with skeleton impression Makes deliciously dead gingerbread men Durable ABS food-safe plastic Handwash only 5 inches high by 4.25 inches wide

Reversible Cookie Cutter, Christmas Winter, 8 Shapes $5.95 Make creative cookies with this Nordic Ware 1320 Reversible Cookie Cutter. Get two holiday choices with the Nordic Ware 1310 Reversible Cookie Cutter featuring 4 Christmas on one side and 4 winter on the other. Simple to use the Nordic Ware 1320 Reversible Cookie Cutter releases the dough with little hassle and washes easily. Whether a professional baker or at home the Nordic Ware 1320 Reversible Cookie Cutter will provide artistically fun cookies every time.

Reversible Cookie Cutter, Halloween Harvest, 8 Shapes $5.95 Make creative cookies with this Nordic Ware 1310 Reversible Cookie Cutter. Get two holiday choices with the Nordic Ware 1310 Reversible Cookie Cutter featuring 4 Halloween on one side and 4 fall harvest on the other. Simple to use the Nordic Ware 1310 Reversible Cookie Cutter releases the dough with little hassle and washes easily. Whether a professional baker or at home the Nordic Ware 1310 - Reversible Cookie Cutter will provide artistically fun cookies every time.

Reversible Cookie Cutter Easter/Spring, 8 Shapes $5.95 Make creative cookies with this Nordic Ware 1330 Reversible Cookie Cutter. Get two holiday choices with the Nordic Ware 1330 Reversible Cookie Cutter featuring 4 Easter on one side and 4 spring on the other. Simple to use the Nordic Ware 1310 Reversible Cookie Cutter releases the dough with little hassle and washes easily. Whether a professional baker or at home the Nordic Ware 1330 Reversible Cookie Cutter will provide artistically fun cookies every time.

Kuhn Rikon Cookie Cutter & Decorating Set $29.95 Kuhn Rikon Cookie Cutter & Decorating Set Type: Specialty Cookware Color: Metallic

A Close View of the Mouth of a Specimen Cookie Cutter Shark $39.99 Bill Curtsinger A Close View of the Mouth of a Specimen Cookie Cutter Shark - Photographic Print

Tala Cookie Cutter Set. $11.99 The Tala cookie cutter set offers a fun introduction to baking with boy, girl, star and heart-shaped cutters and a set of six reversible cutters, together with a mini non-stick baking tray. The easy-to-use icing bag and writing nozzle make it easy for children to decorate these novelty cookies.1 x boy, 1 x girl, 1 x star and 1 x heart cutters.6 x double sided circle cutters.Mini non-stick baking tray.Easy to use icing bag and nozzle.Size H21, W29, L5cm.Recipes included.Gift boxed.EAN/MPN/UPC/ISBN: 5012904101603.

Transportation Cookie Cutter 6-piece Set $32.2 This delightful cookie cutter set includes all of your child's favorite transportation shapes (train, motorcycle, truck, boat, plane, race car). This charming cookie cutter set will eliminate boring cookies.Includes: Train, motorcycle, truck, boat, plane, race carMaterials: Tin-plated steelCare: Hand washComes packed in a window gift box

Ginger Bread Boy Copper Cookie Cutter $8.49 Bake up something special for your guests this holiday with the Ginger Bread Boy Copper Cookie Cutter by Old River Road. This cookie cutter lets you cut out attractive ginger bread boy shaped cookies, which your whole family will love biting into. This premium cutter has a solid copper construction that ensures years of use. Handcrafted to perfection, this Christmas cookie cutter even makes an attractive and useful heirloom to be passed onto generations. This easy-to-clean cutter is dishwasher safe.Features: • Handcrafted cookie cutter • Premium solid copper • Makes a beautiful heirloom • Dishwasher safe • Shape: Ginger Bread Boy

Dinosaur Cookie Cutter 5-piece Set $34.28 This gingerbread cookie cutter set is great set to use with the kids. This tin-plated steel cookie cutter set includes cutters for t-rex, brontosaurus, stegosaurus, triceratops and pterodactyls.Great set to do with the kidsCutter shape: DinosaursMaterials: Tin-plated steelSet includes: T-rex, brontosaurus, stegosaurus, triceratops, pterodactylCare: Hand wash and dryComes packed in a window gift box sized: 7 inches long x 7 inches wide x 1.2 inches thick