How to Shape a Cookie With Aluminum Foil

Cookies can be shaped using a homemade foil cookie cutter.

Cookies can be baked in a variety of sizes and designs. Although simple cookie shapes can be achieved by hand, the best way to achieve uniform or unusual shapes is to use a cookie cutter. Its expensive and impractical to buy a new cutter each time you want to try a new cookie shape. Make your own cookie cutter from aluminum foil. The resulting cutter may not be as sturdy as a metal tool, but it is practical and versatile enough to be reshaped again and again. Does this Spark an idea?

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Polystyrene sheet, 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick
Tracing paper
Pipe cleaners
Aluminum pie tin
Pins
Sandpaper
Staple gun
Staples
Ruler
Pencil
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  
  Decide on a design for your cookie cutter. Trace or draw the design onto a sheet of polystyrene.
- 2
  
  Insert pins around the edge of your design. Arrange the pins on both sides of your outline to ensure that the aluminum lengths follow the design exactly. Bend pipe cleaners around the perimeter of the shape, using the pins to hold them in place. Measure the collective length of your pipe cleaners to determine the amount of foil needed for your cutter.
- 3
  
  Cut the sides off an aluminum pie pan, discarding the corners and keeping only the straight edges. Ensure that the lengths of aluminum exceed the length of your pipe cleaners so that the pieces can be joined together.
- 4
  
  Measure 1/4 inch from the cut edge of the aluminum. Using a ruler as a guide, create a fold edge using a pencil. Carefully bend the cut edge upward on this fold. Press firmly into place before repeating. Bond the edge with a hammer to ensure a strong but safe cutting edge.
- 5
  
  Shape the cutter by bending the aluminum pieces around the pins on the polystyrene board. Leave 1/4 inch at the end of each piece. Once a piece of foil is shaped, carefully remove it from the template and staple a new piece of foil to the overhang. Return to the template and repeat the process until the cutter shape is complete.
- 6
  
  Wash the cutter with soap and water before using.

Tips & Warnings

When joining the aluminum lengths, ensure that the cutting edge lines up exactly. Fold the top, if necessary.
If the cutter becomes misshapen, return the cutter to the template and use the pins to press it back into shape.
You can reuse your metal strips by removing the staples from one end, creating a different template and bending the foil to form a new cookie shape.
Be careful to avoid cuts from the sharp edges of the aluminum.
Parents should supervise children when inserting pins into the template and cutting the foil.