A cookie press is a cylindrical tool with a plunger on one end and a hole on the other. The plunger pushes cookie dough out from the hole. At the end with the hole, various interchangeable perforated plates with different shaped openings can be attached.
This is so that the dough is pushed out in distinctive shapes, much like that Playdough set children use. As cookies are even more popular during the holiday period, common examples include a star, Christmas tree, or snowflake shape.
| Best Cookie Press for Making Cheese Straws | Why We Like It | |
|---|---|---|
 | 1. OXO Good Grips Cookie Press | non-slip base keeps press firmly on counter, making neat, uniform cheese straws |
 | 2. Wilton Cookie Pro Ultra II Cookie Press | parts that disassemble make this a breeze to clean |
 | 3. Suuker Icing Decoration Gun Set | additional nozzles means you can decorate cakes and cookies also |
 | 4. Marcato Deluxe Biscuit Maker | four available colors match and add pop to your kitchen |
Cheese Straws…Huh?
Cheese straws are a tasty pastry snack made from a light, flaky pastry and cheese. They make for a great entrée to accompany soup at a dinner party, or simply as a delicious little snack to keep you going throughout the day. Don’t overdo it though, as they’re not the healthiest things you could snack on!
Cheese straws are versatile in that there’s no singular recipe for making them. Everyone wants to put their own stamp on the cheese straw. I’ve come across blue cheese straws, Parmesan cheese straws, jalapeño white cheddar cheese straws, and many more. They go great with a soup or salad. Whether you prefer wafers chopped into smaller slices or the more traditional method of putting the dough through a cookie press, they’re a delight and worth celebrating.
Avoid moldy or dried out cheese with these methods on how to store cheese in the refrigerator.
Sounds great, but how do I make them?
To make cheese straws to go through the cookie press, you will need:
- Softened butter
- A 1 lb block of sharp cheddar
- Salt
- Ground red pepper
- Paprika
- All-purpose flour.
Shred the cheese, and then mix the butter, cheese, salt, pepper, and paprika into a delicious paste. You should mix them gently but thoroughly in a mixing bowl. Gradually add the flour, stirring it in as you go. You’ll be left with a lovely, cheesy dough.
Select the opening shape of your choice for the dough press. Stars are very popular, but if it’s December you might want to go for the Christmas tree. Press the dough through the cookie press to make long ribbons, which you will then cut into shorter strips. Follow the instructions of the manufacturer of the cookie press to ensure you use it correctly. Otherwise, you might ruin your cheese straws, and that would be a disaster.
Head on over here for my recommendations on the best cookie sheets for convection ovens.
Bake your strips on some baking paper in the oven at 350° F for about 10 minutes, or until they are nicely browned. Once you’re satisfied that they are baked to your liking, chill them on a wire rack for 30 minutes or so. Serve your cheese straws alongside a nice bowl of tomato and basil soup, or in a nice salad.
What should I look for in a cookie press?
Like all tools with moving parts, ease-of-use and durability are important. If the dough, for example, is a little thick, a greater force will be necessary to force it out. Will the handle withstand this pressure, or will it snap off, rendering your press useless? Going cheap might leave you with a less durable cookie press.
Other features can make the experience more satisfying, including how easy is it to wash, how many different attachments are included, how easily it dispenses the dough and a number of other considerations.
The Best Cookie Presses for Cheese Straws
OXO Good Grips Cookie Press
The OXO Good Grips Cookie Press is a popular choice among seasoned cheese straw makers. The non-slip base keeps the press steady on your countertop when in use. This helps to keep the cheese straws neat and uniform. The long handle provides greater leverage to dispense the dough, and the clear cylinder lets you see exactly how much dough has been used. It features 12 different stainless steel disks in various patterns to suit the seasons. They come in a neat compact storage case, so you won’t lose them about the kitchen.
OXO Good grips cookie press from Amazon is one of the best in the market thanks to its design and performance. It has a non-slip base that holds it firmly on the surface thus enabling you to press the dough consistently. Also, it has a giant lever that provides grip hence allowing you to apply less effort while making the cookie. You don’t have to open the device to monitor the remaining dough after every press, you can see through its clear barrel and decide when to add the dough. Besides, it comes with twelve cookie disks made of stainless steel allowing you to choose the shape you desire.
Wilton Cookie Pro Ultra II Cookie Press
A slightly cheaper cookie press is the Wilton Cookie Pro Ultra II. It has most of the same features as the OXO device, including the non-slip base and a transparent cylinder. This model comes with a greater selection of cookie designs but does not have the convenient storage case. Instead of pushing the handle down, you pull it up, as if pulling a trigger on a water hose.
It’s small in size measuring 5.5 by 2.0 by 8.0 inches with a net weight of approximately 10.4 ounces. Also, it has a clear barrel that lets you monitor the intake of dough. It comes with twelve plastic disks with various shapes, including flowers, pumpkin, ribbon, Christmas tree et al. You need to wash it after every use. It’s easy to wash as you can disassemble the parts and clean by hands using warm soapy water.
Kuhn Rikon Clear Cookie Press with Storage Box
The Kuhn Rikon Clear Cookie Press with Decorating Tips and Storage Box is perfect for anyone who loves to bake. This cookie press comes with six different decorating tips and 14 unique steel disks, so you can make various designs and make quality desserts. Besides, it also includes a storage box to keep everything organized. The cookie press is made from durable, clear plastic, so you can easily see how much dough you have left, and it has a comfortable grip for easy use. The Kuhn Rikon Cookie Press with Decorating Tips and Storage Box is a great way to make beautiful, decorated cookies, and it makes a great gift for any baker in your life.
Features
- Perfect for making uniform cookies with ease.
- Different decorating tips so you can get creative with your designs.
- Includes a storage box to keep your tips and press safely stored away.
- Made from durable clear plastic,
- A comfortable grip handle, Usable with one hand.
- Dishwasher safe, so you can easily clean it after use.
- Amazon Eligible for Return, Refund, or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
- Come with decorative tips.
Here are 5 reasons why you should buy this product.
- The cookie press is clear, so you can easily see the dough as you’re pressing it out.
- It comes with decorating tips and a storage box to keep everything organized.
- The press is easy to use to make perfect cookies every time, just after one press.
- It’s durable so that you can use it for years.
- It’s a great value, so you can get a lot of use without spending a lot of money.
Compared with a similar product.
Oriental crescent Cookies Press Gun with 16 Discs is similar to Kuhn Rikon Clear Cookie Gun. It has two more cookie-style molds than Kuhn Rikon. I think this product is good but not reviewed by the mass customers and review sites where Kuhn Rikon Cookie Gun is well-reviewed and certified by the verified customer.
One of the satisfied customer review
I love the Kuhn Rikon Clear Cookie Press and Decorating Bottle. Because, quality tools help to make quality desserts. When I made my cookies, I got great results. All my cookies came out in perfect shape and size. I also like how the storage box holds all of my tips and supplies, so they are easily accessible when needed. This makes it easier to bake cookies on time without having everything everywhere at once. The cookies came out great.
Pros
- Organized and ready to use.
- Made of durable, clear plastic allow to see the dough
- Variety of different cookies designs.
- The storage box for tips and supplies
- The cookie press is dishwasher safe,
- Easy to clean
- An affordable way to decorate cookies,
- A great value for the money.
Cons
- Less number of design disks
- A little big to use
How to use it
To use the cookie press:
- Place a disk of dough into the barrel and screw on the decorating tip.
- Press the handle to extrude the dough. You can make different shapes and designs with different tips.
- Once you’re done, unscrew the tip and wash it in the dishwasher.
The barrel and storage box is also dishwasher safe. There is a very helpful user manual where you can get Cookie Press using clear instructions and many recipes.
FAQs
- Why is the Kuhn Rikon Cookie Press the best?
Ans: The Kuhn Rikon Clear Cookie Press is a kitchen tool used to make perfect cookies. According to all the reviews from various product reviews sites, we have found it a quality tool for desserts making.
- How do I use Clear Cookie Press?
Ans: Go to the user manual here. You can get details using the process besides many yummy recipes.
- What are the benefits of using the Cookie Press?
Ans: The cookie press is a great way to make perfectly shaped cookies every time. It is also very easy to use, so even if you are not an experienced baker, you can still make beautiful cookies.
4.What are some of the most popular designs for the Kuhn Rikon Clear Cookie Press?
Ans: Some of the most popular designs for the cookie press include: – Hearts – Flowers – Stars – Christmas Trees – Snowflakes, etc.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a nifty kitchen tool that can help you with a variety of tasks, the Kuhn Rikon Clear Cookie Press and Decorating Bottle is definitely worth considering. Not only is it user-friendly, but it also comes with a variety of cooking tips that will let you personalize your cooking experience.
Marcato Deluxe Biscuit Maker
The Marcato Deluxe Biscuit Maker is another great cookie press for cheese straw making. Don’t worry about the name! It’s manufactured by an Italian company, and cookies are called biscuits in Europe. The Marcato Deluxe is very much a cookie press. It comes with 20 different metal templates for creating your own designer cheese straws. The handle will also unscrew from the tube for easy cleaning.
This product is made of stainless steel thus it’s sturdy and durable. It comes in four colors for you to choose from, i.e., black, silver, blue and red. It perfectly matches with the decorations for your kitchen. You can select the size of the cookie you want to make by rotating the regulator to produce either large or small cookie. It’s suitable for a large crowd since it can create twenty large cookies and forty small ones. Also, it has a locking ring that lets you choose the cookie shape that you desire. You need to wash it after use with warm water and mild soap and wipe it with a cloth. Better yet, this product comes with ten years warranty.
Despite not being an American brand, it’s a really good cookie press.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cookie press? (see a wide variety at Amazon)
Also known as biscuit press, it is a kitchen tool that is used in making delicious and impressive looking cheese straws. It is cylindrical with a hole on one end and a plunger at the other end that pushes the dough. Perforated plates can be attached at the side having the hole. It lets you make cheese straws of different shapes.
What is a puff pastry?
Puff pastry is a pastry made by pastry dough and layering shortenings, rolling and folding the dough repeatedly. This process results in a pastry made to multiple layers.
What should I take into account when buying a cookie press?
You should consider factors such as operation, performance, quality, versatility et al. The best cookie press should have excellent design and excellent performance. It should be easy to use and durable tool. If for example, you have the thick dough to press, the handle should withstand the pressure exerted. Go for an expensive cookie press since it’s durable. Also, it should be easy to wash and maintain.
What is a cheese straw? (See a whole pre-made box at Amazon)
It is a narrow strip of pastry snack made from thin, flaky pastry and grated cheese. It makes a delicious snack, especially when served in the dinner soup or a snack.
Why is the Oxo grip cookie press best for cheese straws?
Among the cheesemakers, this tool is the best choice for them because of various reasons. It has a non-slip base that holds it firmly on the surface providing stability when in use. Also, it has a long handle that provides the grip to squeeze the dough, and the transparent cylinder lets you keep an eye on the process. Thus you can control the operations by checking the amount of the dough in the barrel. It comes with twelve different disks to suit the season.
What are the main features of the DKST kitchen press?
The DKST cookie press is the ideal baking companion. It has a quality stainless steel body and it comes with twenty discs that are different in shape and four icing to enhance your favorite designs and flavors. It’s a sturdy tool with all its body made of stainless steel material and is 25% larger compared to other cookie presses hence producing a lot of cheese straws and cookies. Also, it has strong icing discs that can handle the hard dough without bending or breaking. The tool is easy-to-use and durable.
C is for cookies… and cheese!
If cheese straw making is new to you, but something you feel you might enjoy and want to pursue, you should consider getting a cookie press. However, there are a number of things you need to consider. How much are you willing to spend? How will it look in your kitchen? Will you use it for other things, like cookies? Check out the models on this list and see which one is right for you.
Did you like this post? You might also want to read about the best cookie press for spritz cookies. Then read about the 6 ice cream scoops that will have you baking cookies like a pro.
For roll-out cookies, see the best rolling pins for cookie dough.
Are you a baking fanatic? Find out how to fill delicious cupcakes, choose a springform pan for baking cheesecake, make your own yogurt with the perfect thermometer… and more on The Kitchen Professor.
Image credit via Flickr Creative Commons:gkrew and Windell O.
