Do you question if you’re favorite plastic cookie cutters are oven-safe? Or can you place plastic cookie cutters in the oven, to help the dough retain the shape of the cookie cutter?
It’s lovely to the eyes when you can use cookie cutters to cut out different shapes of your cookie dough or pastry dough, but it would be even better if you could place the dough and the cookie cutter in the oven so it retains the exact shape you desire. The question is, can you?
No, plastic cookie cutters are not oven-safe. The heat blast from the oven will melt the plastic cookie cutters, and this may leech into your dish or pastry food. In general, it is not safe to put cookie cutters in the oven, because the tin of metal cookie cutters could get extremely hot.
If there’s a need for the cookie cutter to be in the oven, opt for the tin or metallic option and make sure not to have it continuously heated for more than 360°F.
Here’s a simple write guide on all you need to know about cookie cutters, why plastic cookie cutters are not oven-safe, and how the next available replacement options.
Cookie Cutters Explained
Cookie cutters are a versatile kitchen tool that can be used to cut cookie or pastry dough into fun shapes. They can also be used to shape food or batter, do crafts or make gifts.
There are majorly two types of cookie cutters, the tin type, and the plastic cookie cutters, that are children-friendly and found in most homes. They help make baking easier, and also to style and shape whichever food you desire like pancakes, sandwiches, eggs, biscuits, and many more.
Cookie Cutters Uses
Here are some popular uses of cookie cutters in the home:
- Cut out all kinds of cookie shapes and sizes.
- Make shaped pancakes and omelets.
- Neatly cut out deserts, biscuits, or any pastry.
- Make a fun sandwich or French toast shapes.
- Help with cake decorating and fondant cutting.
- Cut cheese into fun shapes.
- Serve fun shapes deserts and treats like cheesecake, ice cream sandwiches, brownies, etc.
- Serve to decorate a gift basket, for gift packaging, or stocking stuffer.
- Help to decorate as Christmas tree ornaments, napkin rings, gang or a garland, etc.
- Help to decorate a pie or a tray of appetizers.
In summary, both plastic and tin cookie cutters are creative, necessary, and versatile kitchen or baking tools that can help transform a dish, dessert, or baked goods. It is safe for both adults and children to use in the kitchen.
However, let’s discuss further if it’s a safe tool that can be placed in the oven, as it is in the kitchen area.
Are Plastic Cookie Cutters Oven Safe?
When cooking especially baking, there is the need to place a kitchen tool with the pastry or dish in the oven, to keep the dish intact or check for its doneness. Hence, when the kitchen tool you’re working with is a cookie cutter and the available type in your pantry is plastic, you may want to place it in the oven with your batter.
Many food experts advise that one shouldn’t place plastic or metallic objects in the oven or microwave except if they are labeled oven safe. But with plastic cookie cutters, are made from lightweight plastic materials, that are not heat resistant and can melt when faced with a heat blast from an oven.
If there’s a need to place a cookie cutter in the oven to keep the batter or dish shape intact, it is best to use tin cutters, pizza cutters, soda cans, or recyclable tin cans. Although metal can withstand heat, it shouldn’t be in the oven for so long as it can become extremely hot or even rust.
When the rusting happens, the chemicals released would leech into your pastry or dish, making it unsafe to eat such a meal. The same applies to plastic cookie cutters, when under heat, these cookie cutters would melt, thereby releasing unsafe chemicals into your food or pastry delight.
In summary, it is not healthy nor safe to place plastic cookie cutter into the oven or microwave, this is because the plastic material cannot withstand the heat blast from the oven and can easily melt, break or change the taste of your dish or pastry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put plastic cookie cutters on a pan?
No, do not use plastic cookie cutters on heat or on a pan. They will melt, ruin your pan, and may change the taste of your dish or pastry.
What can I use in place of cookie cutters?
You can use a small sharp knife, pizza cutter, or turned upside-down drinking glass. They can help to create interesting shapes when traced neatly.
Do cookie cutters rust?
Yes, cooking cutters can rust and this is because they are not handled properly or fully dried. After use, cookie cutters should be cleaned wholly and dried properly. They can be stored in the pantry cabinet or in an airtight container.
Are tin cookie cutters safe?
Yes, tin cookie cutters are food safe. They are usually not made from lead or alimony, making them perfectly safe for use with food.
How do you keep a cookie cutter from rusting?
The secret is to dry out your cookie cutter completely on a towel, or on low heat in the oven for a while. Then you can dust cornstarch on your cookie cutters before putting them back into storage.
Conclusion
Cookie cutters are durable, versatile, and simple to use kitchen tools that are helpful to style, shape, and add a creative touch to your pastry goods or dish.
However, plastic cookie cutters cannot withstand heat blasts of radio heat from ovens and microwaves.
Hence, they should not be placed in the oven, especially when the oven is working. Instead, opt for metallic cookie cutters or make use of recyclable tin cans.