Best Cookie Cutters for Baking: A Complete Guide to Shapes, Materials and Sets
Cookie cutters are one of the most underrated baking tools in the kitchen. A good set opens up a world of creative baking — from simple holiday shapes that kids love to detailed animal cutters that make homemade cookies look like they came from a specialty bakery. And unlike many kitchen tools, quality cookie cutters are inexpensive, last forever, and store compactly.
Here's what to look for in a cookie cutter set — and our top picks available now at Just For The Kitchen.
Material: Stainless Steel vs. Plastic
Stainless Steel Cookie Cutters
Stainless steel is the professional and home baker's preference for good reason:
- Sharp, clean cuts — the thin steel edge cuts through dough cleanly without dragging or distorting the shape
- Durable — stainless steel cutters last indefinitely; they won't warp, crack, or discolour like plastic
- Dishwasher safe — easy to clean after use
- Rust-resistant — with proper drying, quality stainless steel won't rust even with repeated washing
Plastic Cookie Cutters
Plastic cutters are inexpensive and often come in larger sets with more shapes. However, they dull over time, can crack in the dishwasher, and don't cut as cleanly as steel — particularly with firm doughs like gingerbread or shortbread. For anything beyond occasional casual use, stainless steel is the better long-term investment.
Our Top Cookie Cutter Sets
9-Piece Stainless Steel Animal Cookie Cutter Set
Nine animal shapes in professional-grade stainless steel — a complete zoo for your baking. These cutters are sharp, clean-edged, and sized to produce impressive, detailed cookies that look great plain or decorated with icing. The set includes a variety of animals that works beautifully for children's parties, holiday baking, and anytime you want cookies that are more interesting than a circle or star.
→ Shop the 9-Piece Stainless Steel Animal Cookie Cutter Set
11-Piece Cute Stainless Steel Animal Cookie Cutter Set
An expanded 11-piece collection with a broader range of animal shapes — ideal for bakers who want maximum variety and the ability to create themed baking sessions around specific animals or groups. Same stainless steel quality, same clean-cutting edges, one more piece per set for greater creative range.
→ Shop the 11-Piece Animal Cookie Cutter Set
Premium Stainless Steel Animal-Shaped Cookie Cutter Sets
For bakers who want a premium set that covers the full range of animal shapes and sizes, this collection delivers exactly that — professional-grade stainless steel cutters in a curated selection of shapes designed to produce consistently beautiful results. A thoughtful gift for any home baker.
→ Shop the Premium Animal-Shaped Cookie Cutter Sets
Tips for Perfect Cut-Out Cookies
- Chill your dough — cold dough holds its shape better during cutting and baking. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before rolling.
- Flour your cutter — dip the cutter in flour before each cut to prevent sticking
- Cut as close together as possible — minimise re-rolling, which develops gluten and toughens cookies
- Use a thin, offset spatula — to transfer cut shapes to the baking sheet without distorting them
- Chill again after cutting — refrigerate cut shapes on the baking sheet for 10–15 minutes before baking for sharper edges
- Cool completely before icing — decorating warm cookies is the most common cause of icing disasters
Great Cookie Doughs for Cut-Out Cookies
- Classic sugar cookies — the most forgiving and versatile; holds shapes well and takes icing beautifully
- Gingerbread — firm dough that produces crisp, well-defined shapes; ideal for the holiday season
- Shortbread — buttery and rich; slightly crumblier than sugar cookie dough but delicious plain or lightly iced
- Chocolate cut-out cookies — add cocoa to any sugar cookie base for a striking visual contrast when decorated
Cookie Cutters as Gifts
A quality stainless steel cookie cutter set makes one of the most universally appreciated kitchen gifts — compact, practical, and immediately usable. The animal sets are particularly popular as gifts for families with children, bakers of any skill level, and anyone who enjoys the creative side of cooking.
Browse the full cookie cutter and baking tools collection at Just For The Kitchen.
