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The Spruce Eats / Amelia Manley
You sent the invitations for the holiday cookie decorating party, and now you must bake hundreds of cookies. A cookie press can make that onerous job a little easier. Once filled with dough, cookies can be rapidly squeezed onto a prepared baking sheet rather than spooning or scooping each by hand.
There are a few considerations as you wade into the world of cookie presses. Most come in metal or plastic, and there are advantages to each. Plastic is more affordable, while metal is more durable. You'll also want to consider any accessories or additional features a cookie press offers. For example, disks are always included, but quantities vary, and some cookie presses double as frosting guns with tips, which might come in handy for your project. With a little guidance, you can find the best press for your needs, whether you're making gorgeous spritz cookies or blank canvases awaiting delicious buttercream frosting.
Best Overall
Oxo Good Grips Cookie Press Set
Nonslip ergonomic lever
Nonslip base
Durable stainless steel disks
Includes storage box for disk templates
Additional Christmas disk designs sold separately
Oxo products are known for being reliable and durable, and this cookie press is no exception. The plastic press has a transparent cylinder to easily see when you are running low on dough, which we found extremely helpful while making dozens of spritz cookies. Additionally, this is one of the few cookie presses designed with nonslip finishes on both the handle and the base of the press. Despite your best intentions, your hands will probably get a little buttery while using this, and having a nonslip handle makes it simple to keep a comfortable grip anyway. The nonslip base also gave us more control over the press while piping cookies and reduced the chances of making wonky-shaped cookies.
Even though the body of the Oxo cookie press is made of plastic, the 12 design disks are made of durable stainless steel. We also found during testing that, in general, metal cookie press disks tend to produce sharper cookie designs. The disks come in a variety of both common and unique templates, including a flower, tree, butterfly, fleur-de-lis, snowflake, maple leaf, and teddy bear design. Additional sets of disks can be purchased such as Christmas designs. What we especially like is that the set comes with a case specifically designed to hold the piping disks. No rummaging around in the back of the junk drawer looking for the missing disk, or risking a bent disk the night before the big cookie swap.
If using the cookie press for multiple rounds of cookies, cookie dough may get stuck behind the plunger when pulling it back to refill the tube. To avoid damage to the plunger, it’s best to stop and clean the dough out between each use, which can slow you down a little bit in the short run. But the press easily unscrews for cleaning and should be hand washed in warm soapy water only.
Dimensions: 7.7 x 3.05 x 12.4 inches | Includes: Gun and 12 disks | Material: Plastic, stainless steel
Best Budget
Wilton Simple Success Cookie Press
Comfortable handle
Clear tube
Includes a turkey disk design
Plastic disks prone to cracking
This affordable model from powerhouse baking brand Wilton has a comfortable handle with a soft-grip trigger. The clear dough tube allows you to see when it needs to be refilled, and the included 12 plastic disks come in a variety of designs, including pumpkins and hearts.
The Wilton Simple Success Cookie Press comes apart easily and should be washed by hand before drying thoroughly. Some reviewers comments that the disks can crack and break. Compatible fondant, rollers, and cut-out sets may be purchased separately to broaden its functionality.
Dimensions: 5.48 x 2.33 x 8.61 inches | Includes: Gun and 12 disks | Material: Plastic
Best Heavy Duty
Marcato Atlas Biscuit Maker Cookie Press
Attractive design and color options
Crisp professional cookie designs
Easily adjustable cookie sizes
Durable construction to last
Barrel not transparent
Pricey
The Marcato cookie press is easily one of the more expensive presses we recommend, but its performance is worth the additional cost. We found that it creates noticeably delicate cookies, which are so professional-looking and consistent that people will ask where you bought them—and be wildly impressed when you tell them you made them yourself.
It’s understandably heavier than the other plastic options, with mostly metal components and a few heavy-duty plastic parts. While the metal press feels more durable, we missed being able to see the amount of dough in the barrel while working. The 20 metal disks included with the set contribute to the crispness of the cookie designs and the overall durability. There are more non-holiday-specific disk designs in this set, but it also includes a tree, heart, and several flower shapes. We especially like the cherry blossom-style design, as well as the detailed oval-shaped cookie designs.
Using the Marcato press requires a little bit of effort to master, particularly when piping your first few cookies, but we caught on after the first couple of batches. You can create larger or smaller cookies by turning a small metal plate at the top of the barrel, which easily adjusts while in use if you want to try out different cookie sizes. We used our own recipe for Spritz Cookies with all of the presses we tested for the sake of consistency, but were impressed with the 10 cookie recipes included in the instructional booklet, which are offered in both standard and metric measurements.
Operationally, the biggest drawbacks to this machine are the number of cookies it produces at one time, and getting it apart to wash with buttery hands. The barrel of the press is on the smaller side and requires refilling at least once to fill up a cookie sheet, even when using the smaller cookie setting. But what it lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality many times over. The smooth matte metal surface is comfortable to hold and lovely to look at, but we had to pre-wash the barrel to get a firm enough grip on it to take it apart for a full cleaning. Otherwise, it’s easy to wash by hand with warm soapy water, and has very few places for debris to hide or build up.
Dimensions: 2 x 2 x 8.75 inches | Includes: Gun and 20 disks | Material: Anodized aluminum, steel, and ABS plastic
Best Metal
Wilton Preferred Press Cookie Press
Corrosion-resistant
Easy to clean
Clear dough tube
Threads on tube may strip
The Wilton Preferred Press has a squeeze-trigger handle and clear cylinder for maximum visibility. The included 12 disks are stainless steel, and the Wilton Fit Right construction makes them interchangeable with other Wilton cookie presses. Plus, its raised base makes it easy to swap out any of those cookie disks, allowing for variety in your cookie batches.
The metal and plastic blend of materials is corrosion-resistant, and it is easy to disassemble for thorough hand wash and dry when finished. A manual with detailed instructions and a recipe booklet with guidance for classic and chocolate spritz cookies and cheese crackers are included.
Dimensions: 8.75 x 2.6 x 11 inches | Includes: Gun, 12 disks, recipe book | Material: Metal and plastic
Versatile
Storage box included
Durable
Not transparent
The MasterClass Deluxe Cookie Press has an adjustable trigger-action nozzle, allowing for more control over your cookie or frosting flow, and the handle’s design offers a comfortable grip. The included eight stainless steel icing tips and 13 cookie disks make this press a versatile addition to your kitchen.
It is constructed from durable stainless steel with a plastic handle and tube ends. Hand washing is recommended, and don’t forget to dry thoroughly to maintain your stainless steel in optimal shape. Spritz cookies, flaky biscuits, and frosted cupcakes are a snap with this cookie press, and it comes with an attractive storage box to keep everything organized.
Dimensions: 8.43 x 2.91 x 12.01 inches | Includes: Gun and 21 tips/discs | Material: Plastic and stainless steel
Best for Cheese Straws
Fante's Easy Cookie Press
Ideal for firm doughs
Fante's family recipes included
Easy to switch designs while in use
Slight learning curve to operate
Some people live for the piles of sugar cookies over the holidays, and others can't wait to lay their hands on the salty cheese straws. With this cookie press, you can have the best of both worlds. This traditional Italian press is made completely of metal, which helps it stand up to the firmer doughs of cheese straws, butter, and semolina cookies. Instead of a trigger grip-operated plunger, this press is operated with a crank-style handle that pushes the plunger for more leverage and ease when piping the dough.
This old-school Italian press was created specifically for Fante's Kitchen Shop in Philadelphia by the global kitchenware producer, HIC, and helps keep the tradition of classic nonna-style Italian baking alive. You won't find the same large selection of cookie designs with this press that you will with some of the more contemporary cookie presses. Instead, there are four small traditional designs that are all lined up on a metal strip at the base of the press, including a star, waves, crinkle, and two circles that can be used for piping two narrow strips or twisted together while piping. The edge of the die strip is bent to help maneuver the strip easily, as well as keep a working distance between the press and your cookie tray.
Using this press will likely take a little bit of practice, but it comes with complete instructions as well as time-honored Fante's family recipes intended for use in this particular style press. It's made of heavy-duty aluminum and should be hand-washed and dried only. It also comes with a 1-year manufacturer's warranty should the press have any defects.
Dimensions: 9.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 inches | Includes: Crank-style press with sliding die-cut design strip | Material: Aluminum
Best Large Capacity
Hutzler Easy Action Cookie Press and Decorator Set
Larger capacity dough barrel
Unique two-color dough disks
Dishwasher safe
Less delicate cookies
Lower-quality feel
Hutzler might not be a brand name you’re familiar with, but the company has manufactured molded plastic kitchenware since the 1940s. Its 23-piece cookie press set includes 16 plastic disks and six piping tips, But five of the disks are a little different than the disks we’ve seen in other sets. Two disks have small and medium-sized star cutouts for piping cheese straws, S-shaped cookies, and coconut macaroons. There’s also a disk that looks perforated, which Hutzler calls a “pasta disk,” meant to extrude fresh pasta noodles directly into a pot of boiling water. Finally, the set includes two disks that are designed to pipe two-toned cookies with an extended insert that keeps the dough colors separate.
This cookie press is large and lightweight, feeling more like a toy than a tool. The barrel is wide and un-tapered, holding more dough than the other presses we tried. The press’s lever functions similarly to the OXO and Marcato presses, by raising and lowering the handle on top of the press to incrementally push the plunger forward. The plunger itself works two different ways, either by locking into place by turning clockwise and using the lever, or by turning the plunger counterclockwise to pipe your dough freehand.
The plastic disks come connected and twist apart, which is great for packaging, but left us feeling like they’re a little flimsier than some of the other disks we tested, even for plastic. Once put to the test, the press managed to pipe the larger design shapes easily, but didn’t consistently manage to press the more delicate designs like the wreath shapes, often only piping part of the design. Sadly, we weren’t able to get uniform results with the two-toned cookie disks either, and found that the insert for the second color of dough in the disk doesn’t really hold enough dough to pipe more than a handful of two-toned cookies before needing to be refilled.
Despite the inconsistent results with the more delicate cookie shapes, we found Hutzler’s press incredibly simple to use. There was no learning curve, and we think it’s easy enough for children or people with limited hand strength to operate—which could be especially useful if you’re planning on making several dozen cookies with it. And if you’re about it embark on that kind of baking extravaganza, the larger barrel is especially convenient to cut down on how many times the press needs to be refilled. Most of the designs we tested only need one press of the plunger for an average-sized cookie. We were able to get a full-half sheet of single-press cookies from a full barrel of cookie dough, which we weren’t able to squeeze out of the other presses we tested.
Dimensions: 9.5 x 3.75 x 7 inches | Includes: Gun, 16 disks, 6 piping tips | Material: Plastic
Best Italian-Style
Cucina Pro Pizzelle Maker
Nonstick
Makes crispy waffle cookies
Electric
Only makes two 5-inch cookies
Pizzelle are traditional Italian waffle cookies that can be served crispy or soft. They can be served alone, sandwiched with cannoli cream, or even rolled up with hazelnut spread. But you definitely need special equipment to make the beautiful baked-in designs.
The Cucina Pro makes two 5-inch pizzelle cookies at a time, and a recipe book is included. Its food-grade nonstick finish wipes clean easily when you're done baking, the steam guard protects hands from burns, and the extra-thick baking plate ensures even heat distribution. It heats up rapidly to get your finished product on the table quickly.
Dimensions: 10.25 x 10 x 5 inches | Includes: One electric cookie press | Material: Nonstick-coated stainless steel
Final Verdict
The Oxo Good Grips model is our top choice due to its variety of stainless steel disks, included storage case, comfortable grip, and clear dough tube. If you are looking for a press to make Italian pizzelle cookies, go for the Cucina Pro Pizzelle Maker; it's easy to clean, delivers cookies rapidly, and the nonstick finish makes for intricately imprinted cookies.
How We Tested Cookie Presses
We sent a few top-rated cookie presses into the home kitchen of our baking expert, Jenny Kellerhals. She whipped up more than a few batches of dough and used each press for a couple dozen cookies to accurately assess its properties. For each, she analyzed the design—with both clean and buttery fingers—taking note if the press made it easy to form a picturesque cookie. She also evaluated the capacity and ease of cleaning.
What to Look For in a Cookie Press
Materials
Metal and plastic are the two common choices. Metal presses tend to be more durable, but need extra attention to prevent rust and corrosion. Plastic presses are usually more affordable, but tend to be less reliable and prone to cracking. If you are looking to make cheese straws or spritz cookies, be sure to purchase a model that has stainless steel disks, as the dough is usually firmer and needs strong disks to hold shape.
Design
Presses that come with a clear dough tube have an advantage: They allow you to see how much dough you have left and when you need to refill. Metal presses tend to be heavy-duty and less prone to cracking, but you will not know when it is time to refill until it runs out.
Another consideration with design is the type of handle. Presses that employ rotating handles to extrude the dough require less pressure. Plunger handles require more hand and wrist strength, but offer more control with the amount of dough being pushed out.
Accessories
The more disks you can get with your gun, the more functional it is. Beyond the amount of disk templates, some models come with icing tips or nozzles that can aid in decorating cookies and cakes. A storage box is another accessory that is nice to have.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Some cookie presses advertise that they're dishwasher safe, but beware. This often refers to certain parts of the press and only on the top rack. It is always better to wash your press by hand, as there are nooks and crannies a dishwasher will not reach. If you have a metal model, be sure to completely dry your press once it is clean to prevent any rust or corrosion.
FAQs
How do you use a cookie press?
Cookie presses can simplify your kitchen task list, especially when a cookie decorating party is on the agenda. They're easy to use; refer to the following steps:
- Fill the container with a consistent dough.
- Select a disk and affix it to the end of cookie press, screwing the ring on to the end.
- Position the press above the baking sheet, and then depress the plunger to release cookies onto the sheet.
- Decorate with any colored sugars or toppings.
- Bake as directed.
This is a cookie recipe where the dough consistency is important to baking success. “Fill a cookie press with dough that is not too soft," says Mark Seaman, special applications chef at Barry Callebaut. "Too-soft dough doesn't give a clean cut to each cookie, and the more lines or angles the disk has (think tiny Christmas tree shapes), the more unevenly raised the drop will be. Slightly chilled dough is good. If it's too cold, then it's too hard to pass through the press.”
Temperature also should not be overlooked. "For cookies that are slightly crisp on the outside and chewy inside, bake from cold (refrigerated dough) rather than room temperature or frozen," says Erin Kanagy-Loux, chef, consultant, and bakery operations specialist. "Be sure to preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit." Find more tips in our cookie press guide.
How do you decorate pressed cookies?
Sugars and toppings like almonds or cherries should go on before baking cookies. For frostings, wait until cookies are completely cooled to pipe anything on.
Can you use a cookie press for frosting?
The short answer is yes. For frosting, you will need tips that fit the gun, but some models come with these accessories. You can also use a cookie press for other applications, like filling deviled eggs, eclairs, or cream puffs.
Are cookie press discs interchangeable?
It depends. The disks sold by a company for a particular model are interchangeable. For example, the extra holiday Oxo disks can be used with the Oxo press even though they did not come with it. Sometimes disks can be interchangeable among brands, but it depends on the size of the dough tube opening.
Can all types of dough be used in a cookie press?
Doughs that are soft, but not sticky work best. Macaroons, butter cookies, spritz dough, or even cheese straw dough all work well in cookie presses. Never use dough with large chunks of chocolate chips or nuts as they can clog or break your press.
How do you clean a cookie press?
Because of their nooks and crevices where dough can hide, it is always best to hand wash a cookie press. Some plastic models advertise as dishwasher safe, but be sure to check the instructions, as this is usually only referring to parts of the press and on the top rack only. Especially for metal presses, be sure to wash in warm soapy water and dry thoroughly when finished.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Carrie Honaker is a food writer who believes in eating dessert first. As a restaurateur and avid home cook, she has baked thousands of cookies, pies, and cakes. She knows the importance of good tools when dealing in the chemistry of baking. Her work has appeared in many publications including Bon Appetit, Allrecipes, and Wine Enthusiast.
This article was updated by Jenny Kellerhals, who also tested all of the pie pans on this list for The Spruce Eats. She is a professional pastry chef in New York City and a freelance food writer, and baked a few hundred spritz cookies for our recommendations.
Sources
- Mark Seaman, special applications chef at Barry Callebaut
- Erin Kanagy-Loux, chef, consultant, and bakery operations specialist