Wow, that was a long post title. :) I couldn't think of the right way to phrase that.
- how to piece together cut-out shapes
- how to make cookies stick together when baking
- how to create custom cookie shapes from existing cookie cutters
- how to Frankenstein a cookie shape
- how to be a crazy cookie person?
They all seemed to work.
ANYWAY. Sometimes you want to make a decorated cookie in a shape you don't own. And that usually happens to be when you need the cookies to be ready in 36 hours and don't have time to order the cutter you need.
Maybe just maybe, if you put your thinking cap on, you can combine two cutters you have into the shape you need.
Here are a few cookies I've made by combining two cookie cutter shapes, or as it's sometimes called, Frankenstein-ing:
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Deviled Egg Cookies (I used THREE cookie cutters to make these!)
[NOTE: these are different than my beloved double-decker cookies, where a smaller decorated cookie is adhered to a larger one.]
How to Stick Cookie Cutter Cut-Outs Together to Make a New Shape
1. Make cut-out cookie dough. Be sure you use a recipe that you know and trust. Don't risk using a recipe that isn't vetted or cookie dough in a roll from the store. This is my go-to, made-thousands-of-em, cut-out cookie recipe. I also have many variations of this cut-out cookie recipe with different flavors. Any of them would work.
2. Roll the dough out to the same thickness. Whether you want a 1/4" cookie or a 3/8" cookie, make sure your dough is the same thickness.
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3. Use cookie cutters to cut out the main cookie shapes.
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4. Where the cookies will be fitted together, use one cutter to carve out where the other will go. This way, you're not smushing (technical term alert) the cookies together but creating a place for the shapes to fit together like a puzzle.
5. Nestle the shapes together, leaving no visible space.
6. FREEZE the new shape for 10 minutes before baking. This does two things. One. It helps prevent spreading. Two. It gives the shapes a chance to adhere.
7. Bake...the time will depend on the size of the cookie.
8. Let the cookies rest on the cookie sheet a bit longer than you usually would before removing to a cooling rack to cool. About 5 minutes.
9. Use a thin cookie spatula to transfer the cookies. Hopefully, you already have one for all of your cookies. If you don't, you're about the fall in love.
10. Take care when moving to decorate. The cookie shapes will have successfully made one new shape, but it is still vulnerable at the joining point.
11. Decorate with royal icing. Royal icing will act as your final "glue" to hold the pieces together.
12. Let the icing dry uncovered for 6-8 hours or overnight.
You did it! You made a brand new shape from cutters you already own. Yay! Happy dance!
