I was directed to this site after not having much luck with my cookie press recommendation question on epicurious. This is a great site!! I've already tried the Cafe Beaujolais coffeecake and blueberry muffins recipes both of which were delicious. Back to my question...I'm in search of a cookie press since I'm a new mom and want to start a baking tradition with my daughter. I've owned one previously that was made out of plastic that exploded. I've already searched the net for all the reviews but I wanted to get some real time advice from some people who enjoy cooking/baking. Thanks in advance.
Cookie Press Recommendations
- Thread starter audball
- Start date
dawn_mo
Well-known member
Cook's Illustrated recommends the Wilton Comfort Grip Cookie Press 2104-4011, see inside for info:
I hope this helps, and welcome!
From Cook's Illustrated:
WE TESTED SIX COOKIE PRESSES FOR CONSISTENCY (ABILITY TO PRODUCE COOKIES OF UNIFORM SIZE),
comfort, and efficiency. The presses are listed in order of preference. See www.americastestkitchen.com for up-to-date prices and mailorder
sources for top-rated products.
RECOMMENDED
Wilton Comfort Grip Cookie Press 2104-4011 (Trigger)
$12.99
This press was quick, efficient, and easy to use. Also, the least expensive of the bunch.
But it can only produce a limited number of shapes.
RECOMMENDED WITH RESERVATIONS
Williams-Sonoma Cookie Press (Trigger)
$24
The trigger action on this press was slightly stiff and the handle less comfortable than
other trigger models. Cookies appeared slightly bloated, without crisp definition.
RECOMMENDED WITH RESERVATIONS
Wilton Cookie Max Cookie Press (Pump action)
$14.99
Testers found this pump action press to be awkward to use, in part because it required
two hands.
RECOMMENDED WITH RESERVATIONS
Kuhn Rikon Clear Barrel Cookie Press and Decorating Set (Trigger)
$15.99
This press had the stiffest, most slippery trigger of all the trigger models, and cookies
were bloated in some shapes.
NOT RECOMMENDED
Mirro Cookie Pastry Set (Twist action plunger)
$21.95
Testers found the twist action plunger on this model especially awkward to use,
particularly when hands become slippery or sticky from the buttery dough.
NOT RECOMMENDED
Salton Electric Cookie Press (Electric)
$24.99
The power button on this electric model was overly sensitive. A fraction of a second too
little or too long on the button and cookies came out misshapen and mis-sized.
I hope this helps, and welcome!
From Cook's Illustrated:
WE TESTED SIX COOKIE PRESSES FOR CONSISTENCY (ABILITY TO PRODUCE COOKIES OF UNIFORM SIZE),
comfort, and efficiency. The presses are listed in order of preference. See www.americastestkitchen.com for up-to-date prices and mailorder
sources for top-rated products.
RECOMMENDED
Wilton Comfort Grip Cookie Press 2104-4011 (Trigger)
$12.99
This press was quick, efficient, and easy to use. Also, the least expensive of the bunch.
But it can only produce a limited number of shapes.
RECOMMENDED WITH RESERVATIONS
Williams-Sonoma Cookie Press (Trigger)
$24
The trigger action on this press was slightly stiff and the handle less comfortable than
other trigger models. Cookies appeared slightly bloated, without crisp definition.
RECOMMENDED WITH RESERVATIONS
Wilton Cookie Max Cookie Press (Pump action)
$14.99
Testers found this pump action press to be awkward to use, in part because it required
two hands.
RECOMMENDED WITH RESERVATIONS
Kuhn Rikon Clear Barrel Cookie Press and Decorating Set (Trigger)
$15.99
This press had the stiffest, most slippery trigger of all the trigger models, and cookies
were bloated in some shapes.
NOT RECOMMENDED
Mirro Cookie Pastry Set (Twist action plunger)
$21.95
Testers found the twist action plunger on this model especially awkward to use,
particularly when hands become slippery or sticky from the buttery dough.
NOT RECOMMENDED
Salton Electric Cookie Press (Electric)
$24.99
The power button on this electric model was overly sensitive. A fraction of a second too
little or too long on the button and cookies came out misshapen and mis-sized.
I have tried a ton of cookie presses and the very best one in my opinon is...
The Wear-Ever Super Shooter. It's an electric cookie press that was made in the 70's. They're readily available on eBay for about $15. It's great because it goes very fast, doesn't hurt your hand, and allows you to control the amount of dough you press out, unlike the cookies presses with rachet mechanisms. I love mine so much I got two. They're both 30+ years old but work great.
If you decide to check it out, there are also "Super Shooter" cookie presses by Hamilton Beach and Proctor Silex - DON'T GET THOSE. They are cordless and lack power. The one you want is made by Wear-Ever.
The Sears Fun Gun and the Montgomery Ward Party Pistol are identical to the Wear-Ever Super Shooter -- Wear-Ever made them all. Any of these three are fine.
Sometimes you can find a set with an extra barrel - those are great. If you get one, make sure you get one that has all 9 cookie disks and 2 decorator tips. Besides making cookies I use this thing for filling devilled eggs, cannoli, manicotti, etc.
The Wear-Ever Super Shooter. It's an electric cookie press that was made in the 70's. They're readily available on eBay for about $15. It's great because it goes very fast, doesn't hurt your hand, and allows you to control the amount of dough you press out, unlike the cookies presses with rachet mechanisms. I love mine so much I got two. They're both 30+ years old but work great.
If you decide to check it out, there are also "Super Shooter" cookie presses by Hamilton Beach and Proctor Silex - DON'T GET THOSE. They are cordless and lack power. The one you want is made by Wear-Ever.
The Sears Fun Gun and the Montgomery Ward Party Pistol are identical to the Wear-Ever Super Shooter -- Wear-Ever made them all. Any of these three are fine.
Sometimes you can find a set with an extra barrel - those are great. If you get one, make sure you get one that has all 9 cookie disks and 2 decorator tips. Besides making cookies I use this thing for filling devilled eggs, cannoli, manicotti, etc.
)sandi-in-hawaii
Well-known member
REC: Crunchy Peanut Butter Spritz cookies
I'd have to agree with Mimi about the presses with the ratchets - they're not very good...
I've had two like that - a Wilton one and a Williams-Sonoma one. For some reason, one click is not enough dough, and two clicks are too much. I do keep trying though - I keep thinking it has to work.
Last week, my auntie gave me some wonderful peanut butter spritz cookies - nicely shaped (she said she had a really old cookie press), and very crunchy.
She gave me the recipe, and here is the way she gave it to me:
Peanut Butter Spritz - makes 16 dozen
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1 cup (2 sticks) margarine
2 cups peanut butter
2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups brown sugar
4 eggs, beaten
5 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
Drop using a cookie press. Bake at 350º for 10-12 minutes.
(I figure it's the standard mixing instructions - cream the butter, margarine and sugars. Add the eggs, mix well. Sift dry ingredients together, then mix into butter mixture.)
Good luck on finding a good press!
I'd have to agree with Mimi about the presses with the ratchets - they're not very good...
I've had two like that - a Wilton one and a Williams-Sonoma one. For some reason, one click is not enough dough, and two clicks are too much. I do keep trying though - I keep thinking it has to work.
Last week, my auntie gave me some wonderful peanut butter spritz cookies - nicely shaped (she said she had a really old cookie press), and very crunchy.
She gave me the recipe, and here is the way she gave it to me:
Peanut Butter Spritz - makes 16 dozen
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1 cup (2 sticks) margarine
2 cups peanut butter
2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups brown sugar
4 eggs, beaten
5 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
Drop using a cookie press. Bake at 350º for 10-12 minutes.
(I figure it's the standard mixing instructions - cream the butter, margarine and sugars. Add the eggs, mix well. Sift dry ingredients together, then mix into butter mixture.)
Good luck on finding a good press!
Sandi that's exactly my problem with the rachet ones, either not enough or too much.
I also rather like my old Mirro Cooky Press with the hand-crank dial cica the 1950's. It's so old they spelled it "cooky" on the box. Again easily available used at eBay. The Cooks Illustrated review of the Mirro isn't very complementary but I like the dial because you can put such fine control on the output. I still prefer my old Super Shooter though.
I also rather like my old Mirro Cooky Press with the hand-crank dial cica the 1950's. It's so old they spelled it "cooky" on the box. Again easily available used at eBay. The Cooks Illustrated review of the Mirro isn't very complementary but I like the dial because you can put such fine control on the output. I still prefer my old Super Shooter though.