Baking with Cookie Molds: Secrets and Recipes for Making Amazing Handcrafted Cookies for Your Christmas, Holiday, Wedding, Tea, Party, Swap, Exchange, or Everyday Treat

by Anne L. Watson, Aaron Shepard (Photographer)

#1 AMAZON BESTSELLER IN BAKING (JULY 2014)#1 AMAZON BESTSELLER IN PARTY COOKING (JULY 2014)#1 AMAZON BESTSELLER IN CHRISTMAS COOKING (JULY 2014)#1 KINDLE (US) BESTSELLER IN ANTIQUE KITCHENWARE (NOV. 2021)SPECIAL NOTE! -- ANNE WILL PERSONALLY ANSWER ANY QUESTION OF YOURS AFTER READING THIS BOOK. ASK ON HER WEB SITE, AND YOU'LL NORMALLY HEAR BACK WITHIN HOURS!Beautiful to look at but hard to use. That's the reputation of cookie molds. But should it be?In this groundbreaking book, Anne L. Watson restores cookie molds to an honored place in the baker's kitchen by revealing long-lost secrets of their use. With Anne's techniques and recipes, tasty cookies with lovely, detailed designs will literally fall from the mold into your hand.Learn how to make traditional molded cookies like speculaas, springerle, and shortbread, as well as modern ones like White Chocolate Lime Cookies and Orange Blossom Wedding Cookies. Learn the tricks of sandwich cookies, layer cookies, chocolate backing, and exhibition cookies. And learn about the molds themselves -- the many kinds, their history, the best places to find them, how to treat them, what makes a good one, and which to avoid entirely.With nearly two dozen recipes and almost a hundred photos, "Baking with Cookie Molds" will quickly have you making cookies that both amaze and delight./////////////////////////////////////////////////Anne L. Watson is the author of a number of popular books on home crafts and lifestyle, as well as children's books and many novels. In a previous career, she was a historic preservation architecture consultant. Anne lives with her husband and photographer, Aaron Shepard, in Bellingham, Washington./////////////////////////////////////////////////"Expert instructions guarantee readers a frustration-free experience when using decorative metal, earthware, and wooden molds . . . After reading this, you'll want to snatch them up." -- Lisa Campbell, Library Journal, Sept. 15, 2015 -- STARRED REVIEW"A tasty treat of practical cookie making, historical cookie-mold information, and a wide range of recipes, all served with appetizing sides of baking history and great photographs." -- Kirkus Reviews, June 16, 2015"Anne L. Watson deserves big hugs from bakers everywhere for resurrecting the beautiful and tasty art of baking with cookie molds. Loaded with practical advice on everything from the care and cleaning of molds to proper recipe formulation and molding technique, 'Baking with Cookie Molds' provides all the know-how one needs to put retired molds back where they belong -- off walls and out of cupboards, and into action in our kitchens." -- Julia Usher, author, "Cookie Swap," and Director, International Association of Culinary Professionals"Cookie molds are lovely to admire but often end up as part of your kitchen decor rather than as a baking tool. 'Baking with Cookie Molds' will inspire you to use those molds as they were intended -- to create strikingly beautiful cookies -- and shows that those cookies can be delicious as well! Detailed instructions and photographs make it feel like the author is right there in your kitchen, baking alongside you and guiding you through each step." -- Christina Banner, author, "How to Build a Gingerbread House""A must read for novice and avid bakers! Anne's story and vast knowledge of cookie molds keeps you entertained from beginning to end." -- Karen Giamalva, President and CEO, LetsBakeCookies"Friendly, warm, and inviting.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction, Reference

221 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2010

Reviews

[Babs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is wonderful. The step by step directions and pictures are priceless. No baker should be with out this book. The recipes are as added bonus. The author does a great job in making the directions sound so easy even a beginner taking their time could make molded cookies with ease. White Chocolate Lime Cookies right now are my families favorite. This is a must have.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making cookies from cookie molds is truly an art form. I've tried in the past with no real success and tucked the molds away for "another day". With no real instructions with the molds, I had set myself up for failure.

When I stumbled across Baking with Cookie Molds (quite by accident), I got excited and had to request it so that I could once again try my hand at making the cookies. This time I had instructions, and detailed ones at that! Now - I had to remember where I stored the molds!

The first part of the book is about molds and their history. It's written in a very informative and entertaining way. I enjoyed the photography of the molds as well as the story. The second half of the book gets down to business. It has everything you need to know from start to finish to create a successful molded cookie! If you follow Anne's tips, hints and instructions, you will have success. I did!!!

I love all the recipes. You have pretty much basics, then move onto fancies and the author even tells how to create your own recipes for the molds.

I cannot sing praises loud enough for this book. If you have ever wanted to lean the lost art of cookie mold cookies, this is definitely a must have! Anne's book is AMAZING!!!


I received a copy of this book through NetGalley. I was not required to post a positive review - but one of my honest opinion.

[Alexander Moriarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book because I found a holiday cookie mold pan propping open my door as my neighbors moved into the next apartment, and wondered if it was really usable. Realized there was a cookie mold book at the library baking display, and checked it out.

What fun! The directions looked intimidating but were actually very straightforward when followed step-by-step.

Now I have a new hobby that combines baking and sculpture. And a new idea for decor in the kitchen. And a new cookie mold to track down (the Alaska one featured in the book), and an old cookie stamp (my great grandmother’s pottery one) to use again!

Also, the author’s website is quite informative.

[Bernard Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick read because there's a lot of useful pictures. I've only tried one of the recipes so far. I'm waiting for a Springerle rolling pin and will try some of the other recipes at that stage. Very useful tips and details.

[Kathleen Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book in order to increase my skills in making and selling molded cookies. The explanations are detailed and I enjoyed the history of cookie molds. I am working my way through the recipes in hopes of using some of them this coming Christmas.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author knows her cookie molds! Many great tested recipes and tips for success in molded cookies. Many interesting photos of various beautiful cookie molds. Now to get baking!

[Darren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cookies or biscuits - easy to make as a basic product in itself but if you want to make something a little more delicate and fine you can soon end up in a world of hurt and frustration if you are not careful. Many people think that only cakes can be really decorated yet the decorated cookie is, itself, a real wonder of art… and often tasty too should you dare to break it up!

Anne L. Watson has, in this reasonably slim book, managed to lift the lid on a whole unseen world of biscuit baking that is, in fact, steeped in history and has been an/is a real artisanal art form in its own right.

To most people, the reviewer included previously, biscuit moulds are plastic or sometimes metal, often in the form of a shaped press or a basic 3D mould if you are lucky, but there is truly a whole different world out there. For example over time cookie moulds have been made from almost every sustaining material that exists such as glass, wood, porcelain and even wood. One can even purchase resin copies of old moulds that now exist within many prestigious museums around the world!

In a very pleasant and easy-to-read manner the author goes through the entire A to Z of using cookie moulds, starting with the history of cookie moulds before looking at the art and methodology of preparing and using a cookie mould. Once you have learned the magic arts and are ready to take things to a more advanced level your horizons can be expanded further with additional tips, different methodologies and a wide range of recipes. For those who want to truly master the art there is also guidance on making sandwich and layer cookies. Or why not try the ultimate test of skill and determination and make your own mould!

In many ways this is one of those wonderful hybrid books that gets the right balance between aspirational encouragement and practical development. You can read this book and garner much interest and knowledge in your comfortable living room chair and, of course, fine tune your practical experiences whilst in the kitchen. Even if you never plan to make some cookies using cookie moulds you won't feel cheated as you will learn an immense amount of knowledge about what can go into making such wonderfully detailed cookies and gather a lot of culinary history to boot. Not too many "cook books" achieve that goal.

Probably the most negative (with a small N) thing this reviewer found (except the lack of a package of ready-made cookies by the author as a control sample) is that the photographic images are in greyscale. Having some colour images, even if bound in as a supplement to keep printing costs down, would have made just that little extra difference. It is not a thing that means "don't buy this book" but sometimes - where possible - a bit of colour makes a difference. This would have been one of those times.

The book concludes with additional resources available to the reader including a source of various supplies. Clearly, as a book written by an American author, the companies referenced are located in the United States, but you can normally order items internationally if a comparable product is not located in your home market.

And as the reviewer can conclude: A wonderful book, an inspirational book and a book that teaches a lot of things that could even be used, in part, within other "cooking branches." Delicate rice moulds, for example, anyone?

Baking with Cookie Molds, written by Anne L. Watson and published by Shepard Publications. ISBN 978-0938497479, 212 pages. Typical price: GBP15.


// This review appeared in YUM.fi and is reproduced here in full with permission of YUM.fi. YUM.fi celebrates the worldwide diversity of food and drink, as presented through the humble book. Whether you call it a cookery book, cook book, recipe book or something else (in the language of your choice) YUM will provide you with news and reviews of the latest books on the marketplace. //

[Alyson Mutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. A pleasure!! I find myself wanting to run into the kitchen and bake!!!
Before reading this cookbook I thought the topic was extremely narrow, I don't know why I thought this but I did. After reading this book I realize it is so much more. Firstly, I would like to say I wish all cookbooks were this well done. A clear step by step with pictures from her own kitchen will have you cooking beautifully in no time.

A nice surprise was also the trip thru time story with St. Nick visiting all the kitchens from Christmas past in many countries and times.

My only negative comment (and this is not enough to take away a starin may rating) is that the publisher did not do the book justice. The book is magical, you can practically smell the cinnamon and other spices as well as see the old Scottish kitchens and yet all the pages are stark white behind the words and pictcures, would it have been so hard to not add a bit of artistic magic in the illustrations in keeping with the theme and magic the author and photographer has created?? If this had been the case this cookbook would have been good enough for any coffee table!

[Linda B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so happy to find this how-to book on cookie molds with detailed step-by-step instructions. The author, Anne Watson, guides the reader through the proper types of ingredients to use, mold preparation, mixing the ingredients, and removing the cookie from the mold. The purpose of the book is to enable even a novice baker to be successful at baking with cookie molds and enjoy this wonderful hobby.

Baking With Cookie Molds starts with a history and use of cookie molds. There is an important section on the types of molds and which type of mold to use. As soon as I received the book I ordered a Brown Bag Cookie Mold and gave her method a try. Her secret for removing the cookie from the mold worked perfectly, and my first attempt was quite successful. I can't wait to try some of the many other recipes in the book.

The author's love for sharing her knowledge about these types of cookies is obvious throughout her book, and I highly recommend it.

Stop by http://bookvisions.blogspot.com and see my attempt at baking my first mold cookie and you will find links to the author's free online magazine.

[Janis Hill]

I would like to thank Shepard Publications for providing me with a free ARC of this book, via Netgalley, in exchange for an open and honest review.

Sadly this is a DNF book as I just couldn't get into this book. I have tried for a few months to get into it and just can’t seem to connect and get interested.

I know other people will give a book a bad/low mark for being a DNF, but as an author myself I know how bad that feels. So I hope my no score is less painful. I’m not going to score this book as I don’t want to give it a bad score - as I don’t feel it deserves one. Nor do I want to give it a high score for the same reason.

Basically, this book was not for me. There is nothing wrong with the writing; I just couldn’t get into it. From other reviews I have read, people have loved this book. To me that proves it’s good… for the right audience.

This does not make it a bad book, and I really want to emphasise this. Despite not liking it and not being able to get into it, I did see potential. I, the reader, and this book just weren’t matched and I refuse to mark it down because of my own faults. :-)

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a child I always loved shortbread and the gorgeous moulds necessary to bake it. In later life I discovered "Speculaas" and St Nicholas cookies and the fascination continued. I often buy these cookies but have never until now seriously considered trying to bake them. I often see these moulds both second hand and new but look at them as more decorative than functional.

For a nation reawakened to the joys of baking or watching others bake this book is nice surprise. This book is bundle of information and makes a very interesting read, yes it contains recipes but to me they come second to everything else that is shared.

I was lucky enough to get a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review, but this is a book I would purchase for myself. It was fascinating to read and is so obviously written out of the love of cookie moulds and baking cookies. My copy like the online sample is filled with colour pictures, not black and white as another reviewer experienced.

Recommended for anyone who has ever looked at a cookie mould with confusion or doubt.

[Apryl Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hardly believe that I'm giving a 5-star review to a cookie book, but seriously, those lovely hand carved wooden molds that I bought in Munich 25 years ago were languishing for far too long. It's somewhat gratifying to read that I'm not the first to be defeated. None of my 100% Bavarian neighbors could fathom the technique either; all putting it down to grandmother's secret.

Thank-you Ms. Watson, for throwing wide the doors and inviting us to come in! The first batch that you walk us through met with rave reviews, and the molds are now decoratively displayed close at hand on the kitchen wall.

On a personal note: I added a few drops of essential oil of lemon to the veg oil to be sure to kill off any mold that the wood might've harbored over the years.

[Martine Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having recently bought some wooden gingerbread moulds of traditional figures and animals, I was finding it difficult to get the technique right to make well stamped biscuits. This inexpensive kindle book gave me some good pointers to actually pressing and rolling clear shapes (using parchment paper backing like a sandwich, rolling, and then holding the mould up at an angle and encouraging the mixture to drop using gravity). However, even now my technique is better I still haven't found the perfect recipe to make a clear, ultra-detailed print that will survive a hot oven.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really need to buy this book for my own collection! I remember seeing these molds growing up and not having a clue as to how to use them. I've even seen the cookies made with these molds! I want to make them myself and the recipes seem simple enough for a non-baker like myself to follow. I mean, my cakes ALWAYS get stuck in molds. If I can get a cookie out of a mold with this book, there's a chance I may have luck at getting cakes out, too! Bakers will love this book It's a wonderful addition to any recipe collection.

[Leyla Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I looked at this book, I was not sure whether I would find it useful. How wrong I was - such a enthralling book with a little about the history, a lot about moulds, type, how to look after them and use them. There are recipes which are very easy, and now I am looking at buying some wooden moulds - what lovely ideas for making biscuits for very special occasions.
This book was supplied for free in return for a honest and unbiased review.

[Eileen Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great mixture of antique and modern cookie, (biscuit/shortbread in UK) moulds.
The history of these moulds is fascinating, beginning with shop signs to religious designs.
The recipes are very tasty and there will be some feturing on my Christmas table!
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in awe of how cool the molds were and those cookie recipes looked heavenly. Definitely need to get an e-book or print version of this.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book. Clear and easy to follow instructions. I now feel more comfortable using my clay cookie molds. Recipes in back are varied and tempting.