Who doesn’t love cookies, especially the decorated ones! Everyone, kids and adults alike love a freshly baked decorated sugar cookie cut out into shapes and nowadays you can find cutters in any shape imaginable. Cutters sold in most stores made of plastic, metal or copper and aren’t just for cookies anymore. Alphabet cookie cutters can be used as a teaching tool for children.
A little one on one time with child and parent can become a learning experience. Get your child to help you make a simple sugar cookie recipe then roll the dough and let them cut out their own shapes. Let them cut out the letters in their name to get a new learner started. Your child will be exposed to the alphabet while making the cookies and again when it’s time to eat them. Make it even more interesting by adding color to the cookie dough when mixing.
If your child already knows the alphabet then practice spelling out entire words with the cookies. You don’t have to stick to cookie dough, the same ideas work for salt dough and play dough. It might be a good idea to get a separate set of plastic alphabet cookie cutters for play dough unless it’s the kind you make yourself with baking ingredients. Pick up a few shape cutters as well such as animals and geometric shapes, bake the letters for each shape and use them together to teach about letters, words and shapes!
When you buy alphabet cookie cutters make sure the top edge is rolled so that it’s more comfortable to hold onto and the cutting edge feels sharp. Dull cookie cutters will only be a frustration and I find plastic sometimes doesn’t cut as good as metal unless the edge is very sharp. Steel alphabet cookie cutters are a great choice because they won’t rust like aluminum. You can combat rusting by making sure you dry them thoroughly right after washing but before putting them away.
Alphabet cookie cutters can be bought in lower and uppercase but make sure to look carefully at the way it’s made before you buy them. Cutters that are too small or thin will result in cookies that are easy to break or they will be tricky to ice. A single letter will run you about $1.00 to $2.00 depending on the material they are made of. It might be a better idea to get a complete set of 26 letters which costs around $25.00.
Alphabet cookie cutters also make great wedding shower gifts or wedding party favors. Beau-coup.com sells the word “LOVE” in sets for $1.75, completely wrapped and tagged with a thank you card. They suggest that you slip in your favorite sugar cookie recipe for your guests as well. What a great idea!
Your favorite department store will sell alphabet cookie cutters and if not, you are sure to find them online. The Cookie Cutter Shop carries 700 different varieties including the alphabet, which cost $1.95 each. They have a 26- piece tin of mini alphabet cookie cutters. Perfect for tiny hands!