If you're looking for a cookie press to make uniform shaped cookies, then a good option is the Avanti Cookie Press. It is a simple piece of equipment that has two functions: to press out cookies in a range of fun shapes; and to pipe out icing that looks spectacular on your baked goods.
Mother's Day, Christmas, Halloween; they’re all days that will improve if you have a cookie press. But does the Avanti tick all the boxes. We purchased one to find out, so keep reading to check out our review.
Before this article, we reviewed a selection of cookie presses, and here are the results. It's well worth a look if you want to compare the best options currently on the market.
What does the Avanti cookie press include?
This kit included everything you need to make cookies and ice whatever baked good you feel like jazzing up. To be specific, you'll receive:
1. A cookie press
Also known as a cookie gun, this device looks somewhat like a gun with a trigger. There's a barrel which is where the dough or icing gets added. A pinion plunger allows the user to squeeze the trigger and release perfect sized cookies.
The Avanti cookie press unboxed.
2. Cookie discs
These discs are what determines the shape of your cookies. Made from stainless steel, they're hygiene-friendly, solidly built, and easy to clean.
8 discs provide a range of fun shapes.
The kit comes with eight cookie discs that allow you to create a range of fun cookies. The Christmas tree shape is sure to be a hit during the festive season. There is also a range of flower-inspired shapes and a rectangle to pump out a regular-shaped cookie.
Another view of the cookie discs.
Hint: If you're hosting Christmas dinner at your house this year then check out our Christmas Cooking Guide which covers all the bases and includes some tasty Xmas recipes.
3. Icing Nozzles
You can screw on an icing nozzle to make decorating cakes, cookies and cupcakes a lot easier. This set comes with eight icing tips allowing you to make flowers, stars, petals, grass, and much more including the ability to write cool-looking icing messages. Birthday cakes will never look the same with these Avanti tips.
Icing cookies and cakes has never been easier.
Like the cookie discs, these tips are made from stainless steel so you should get years of use out of them before having to replace with a new set.
How to use a cookie press
Step 1
Set one is to make the cookie dough. It's essential to use a recipe that is designed for a cookie press. If you search online, look for spritz cookies as their texture is softer and they push through the end of the press with ease. Here is a tasty recipe for Xmas cookies that you might like to try.
Use a spritz cookie recipe for best results.
Step 2
Stuff the dough into the barrel of the gun. The secret is to push in as much as you can and poke it down to avoid air bubbles. Once it's full, place a cookie shape of your choice on the end of the barrel and then screw on the plastic tip.
Stuff the dough thoroughly to avoid any holes.
Step 3
Pump the cookie dough onto a baking tray being sure to leave an inch between each cookie.
Quick tip: Although we lined our baking tray with parchment paper, it is better to use a bare baking tray. Grease the tray and allow it to chill in the fridge for 10 minutes. This helps the cookies to release onto the tray easier. Lining the tray made our job harder.
Leave a small gap between each cookie.
Below are some flower shaped cookies. Not perfect, but keep in mind it was my 11 year old daughter making them, and it was her first time, so don't judge too harshly!
Piped cookies ready to bake.
Once baked, the cookies looked okay!
Allow the cookies to cool on a baking tray.
Washing the set afterward
Cleaning up afterward was easy. The cookie press unscrews into separate parts making the job of washing up quick and pain-free.
My advice would be to wash everything as soon as you're finished with it. The dough hardens in the hard to reach areas over time, making it much harder to dislodge.
Wash the tool as soon as possible to make life easier.
Should you buy an Avanti cookie press?
This press isn't a bad option if you want an entry-level press. The parts are solidly constructed, and it does make cookie making easy. Setting up the press is simple and intuitive. However, a manual that included some recipes and pictures which show what shapes each disc provides would be useful. Instead, we had to try each one to work out how the final cookie would look.
Store cookies in an airtight container.
It should be pointed out that there are some negative reviews about this tool warning that it fell apart or wasn't fit for purpose. The main issue seemed to focus on the tip, which is made of plastic and couldn't handle the pressure well - it popped off. I didn't experience any issues like this. However, I would recommend checking out our complete review of all the best cookie press tools. Some of the options on this list have a few advantages over this model. For example, the Marcato model offers a higher quality option without plastic parts. The Oxo Good Grips has a transparent barrel which is helpful because you can see how much dough remains and also if there are any gaps.
You can buy the Avanti cookie press from most good homeware retailers.
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