A cookie press turns a bowl of soft butter dough into trays of small, neat cookies in the time it would take to roll and cut a few. Load a barrel, click a lever, and a shaped cookie lands on the sheet. Spritz cookies are the classic, but the same idea works for cheese straws and other firm doughs.
The catch is that presses are mechanical, and a weak ratchet can give up halfway through a batch. This guide names the presses with real evidence behind them, says which popular press has a long-term problem, and shows what actually matters when you choose one.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a working kitchen looks for in a baking tool, the makers’ specifications, independent reviews we cite and verified buyer reports. We have not used these products ourselves.
Quick verdict: which cookie press to buy
The best cookie press for most bakers is the Marcato Atlas Deluxe Biscuit Maker: it won America’s Test Kitchen’s review, makes crisp shapes and comes with 20 disks. For an easier first press that also pipes frosting, choose the Nordic Ware Deluxe Spritz Maker and Treat Decorating Set, that review’s Best Buy. For stiff dough such as cheese straws, look at the crank-driven Fante’s Easy Cookie Press.
Popular as it is, the OXO press is not our first choice, and the reason is explained in its section below.
Five cookie presses side by side
Five standout picks, one for each kind of baker, with specifications from each maker or listing. All seven presses are reviewed in full below.
| Cookie press | Best for | Action | Disks | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Marcato Atlas Deluxe Biscuit MakerBest overall
|
Regular bakers, crisp shapes | Handle press, two sizes | 20 | View on Amazon |
| Occasional bakers, frosting too | Push-down lever | 12 plus 6 tips | View on Amazon | |
Kuhn Rikon Clear Cookie Press with Decorating TipsMost tips and storage
|
Variety and tidy storage | Toothed plunger press | 14 plus 6 tips | View on Amazon |
Fante’s Easy Cookie PressBest for stiff dough
|
Stiff dough, cheese straws | Hand crank | 5 on a sliding plate | View on Amazon |
Wilton Simple Success Cookie PressSimple starter
|
First-time bakers | Trigger | 12 | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Specifications are as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best cookie press
The seven presses below cover the main ways of pressing dough: lever and trigger guns, plus a hand crank for firm dough. Each pick says who it suits, what the evidence shows and one honest reason to skip it. Where a press has no independent review, we say so.
1. Marcato Atlas Deluxe Biscuit Maker – The Press That Keeps Its Shape
The one to buy if you press cookies every year and want the shapes to come out looking like the disks. Marcato is an Italian maker better known for pasta machines, and this is its all-round cookie press.
America’s Test Kitchen published the most useful cookie press review we found, in September 2023. Its testers pressed more than 1,400 cookies, and the Marcato Biscuit Maker, model 8307, came out on top. They said it "produced well-defined cookies with ease" and praised its durability. This listing carries the same 8307 part number, though it also shows 8300 as the model.
It comes with 20 disks, and a setting on the press makes cookies small or large, so one disk gives you two sizes. The same review found a small downside in that setting: the toggle sometimes got in the way, and the press has enough moving parts to need a short learning period.
Wash it by hand and wipe it dry, as the listing says. The listing title calls it stainless steel, while several retailers describe anodized aluminum, steel and ABS plastic, so treat it as a mixed-material press and keep it out of the dishwasher either way.
Why we like it
- Winner of America’s Test Kitchen’s 2023 cookie press review
- 20 disks, each with a small or large setting
- Made in Italy, per the listing
- 14.9 ounces, per America’s Test Kitchen
- Recipes and an instruction booklet included
Key specifications
| Model | 8300; part number 8307 |
|---|---|
| Action | Handle-operated press with a small/large setting |
| Material | Stainless steel per the listing; retailers list anodized aluminum, steel and ABS |
| Disks | 20 |
| Extras | Recipes and instruction booklet |
| Cleaning | Hand wash, wipe dry |
| Made in | Italy |
| Warranty | 3-year limited (listing); other sellers state different terms |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who bakes big holiday batches, gives cookies as gifts or simply wants crisp designs without fuss. The independent evidence behind it is stronger than for any other press here, on both results and durability.
Skip it if you bake once a year and only want a simple press. The Nordic Ware below also earned a recommendation and is the easier first step.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Best-documented results of any press here
- Two cookie sizes from each disk
- Generous set of 20 disks
Cons
- The size toggle can get in the way
- Takes a little practice
- Hand wash only
2. Nordic Ware Deluxe Spritz Maker and Treat Decorating Set – A Press and a Frosting Tool
This is the entry-level press with the best independent backing. The Amazon title reads only "Deluxe Deco Set", but model 02111, the 12 disks and the 6 tips match the Nordic Ware Deluxe Spritz Maker & Treat Decorating Set.
America’s Test Kitchen named this set its Best Buy, calling it "simple to load and lightweight". It weighs 12.8 ounces. The honest caveat from the same review is that its cookies were "a little thin and less uniform" than those from other models, so expect softer detail than from the Marcato.
Nordic Ware’s lever is a push-down, click-reset design, and the listing says that removes the guesswork and the hand strain of squeezing. Swap the disks for one of the six frosting tips and it also pipes onto cupcakes and cakes. That makes it a two-job tool for a small baking drawer.
Dough temperature matters here. The listing warns against forcing the trigger and says refrigerated dough is not recommended; if dough is too stiff, let it sit in the press for 10 to 15 minutes. Nordic Ware lists ABS plastic, polypropylene and stainless steel as the materials.
Why we like it
- America’s Test Kitchen Best Buy
- Push-down lever with no squeezing
- 12 spritz disks plus 6 frosting tips
- 12.8 ounces, per America’s Test Kitchen
Key specifications
| Model | 02111 |
|---|---|
| Action | Push-down, click-reset lever |
| Material | ABS plastic, polypropylene, stainless steel (Nordic Ware) |
| Disks | 12 |
| Extras | 6 frosting tips |
| Cleaning | Not stated on the listing |
| Made in | Imported, per a retailer listing |
| Warranty | 5-year, per Nordic Ware’s product information |
Why we recommend it
It suits the occasional baker who wants one good press and something to pipe frosting with, and who does not need the sharpest possible shapes.
Skip it if shape detail matters most to you, or you plan to press dough straight from the refrigerator. One Target buyer also reported a ratchet that stopped advancing after one batch, so keep your receipt.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Independent Best Buy
- Two jobs in one tool
- Easy to load
Cons
- Thinner, less uniform cookies than the Marcato
- Not for refrigerated dough
- Mostly plastic
3. Kuhn Rikon Clear Cookie Press with Decorating Tips – A Full Kit in a Box
A Swiss maker’s complete kit: 14 steel disks, 6 decorating tips, recipes and a storage box that keeps every small part in one place. For a press you use only a few times a year, that box may be its most practical feature.
America’s Test Kitchen placed it in its Recommended with Reservations group. The testers wrote that "we liked using this press, and it gave us dozens of cookies without fuss". The reservations were about shapes and cleaning: it came last on heart shapes, which "looked more like lily pads", and the plunger’s exposed teeth made it slightly harder to clean.
The clear barrel shows how much dough is left, which saves a surprise halfway down a tray. Going by that review, save the hearts for another press.
The listing calls it dishwasher safe, but some retailers say to hand wash the disks to prevent corrosion. Hand washing and drying the disks right away is the cautious route.
Why we like it
- 14 steel disks
- 6 decorating tips included
- Storage box for all the parts
- 1-year guarantee from Kuhn Rikon, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 2461CLB |
|---|---|
| Action | Press with a toothed plunger |
| Material | Clear barrel; steel disks |
| Disks | 14 |
| Extras | 6 decorating tips, storage box, recipes |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher safe per the listing; some retailers say hand wash the disks |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Why we recommend it
It suits a baker who likes variety and values having everything stored together, and who does not mind that a few designs come out softer than others. It is a good choice if you also want tips for simple decorating.
Skip it if you bake a lot of heart cookies for Valentine’s Day, or you dislike cleaning around small teeth and grooves.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large set of disks and tips
- Tidy storage box
- Gave testers dozens of cookies without fuss
Cons
- Weak on heart shapes
- Plunger teeth are harder to clean
- Conflicting care advice on the disks
4. Wilton Simple Success Cookie Press – An Easy First Press
A plain trigger press from a baking brand most home cooks already know, with a clear barrel and 12 disks that cover seasonal shapes such as a tree, wreath, snowman, pumpkin and turkey, along with everyday ones.
Wilton says the soft-grip trigger and ergonomic handle are built for making uniform spritz cookies for a crowd. Retailers list the press as plastic, and care is simple: wash before first use and after each use in warm, soapy water, then rinse and dry.
One caution before you buy. America’s Test Kitchen did not include this model, but it did test a relative, the Wilton Preferred Press (model 2104-2629). That press started out well, yet it did not hold up: its handle stopped working well and it fell to the bottom of the list. The Simple Success is sold as a separate model, 2104-2627, and we found no independent test of it, so we cannot say whether it shares that weakness. Some retailers use the two names loosely, which is worth knowing when you compare listings.
Why we like it
- Clear barrel shows the dough level
- Soft-grip trigger and ergonomic handle
- 12 disks with seasonal and everyday shapes
- Simple soapy-water cleanup
Key specifications
| Model | 2104-2627 |
|---|---|
| Action | Trigger |
| Material | Plastic, per retailers |
| Disks | 12 |
| Extras | None stated |
| Cleaning | Warm, soapy water; rinse and dry |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a first-time baker or a family that makes one batch of holiday cookies and wants a familiar brand and simple parts. It is the press to try before deciding if pressed cookies are worth a bigger investment.
Skip it if you bake in large batches. The durability result on Wilton’s related model makes this a lighter-duty choice until better evidence appears.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Straightforward to use
- Good seasonal shape selection
- Familiar baking brand
Cons
- No independent review of this exact model
- Related Wilton press failed on durability
- Warranty not stated on the listing
5. OXO Good Grips 14-Piece Cookie Press Set – Comfortable, with a Caveat
This is the press most online roundups put first, and the design has real appeal: a large non-slip lever, a non-slip base that keeps the press steady, a clear body and 12 stainless steel disks in a storage case.
We rank it lower than those lists because of one independent finding. America’s Test Kitchen once named the OXO its winner, then reversed itself, saying that "over time it turned out to be unreliable". Its ratcheting mechanism jammed and its handle could snap off. That review names the OXO Good Grips Cookie Press with Disk Storage Case, and we cannot confirm whether the current 14-piece set has changed since.
In its favor, OXO backs its products with the OXO Better Guarantee, which offers a repair or replacement if you have a problem. That matters more than usual on a mechanical press. The listing says hand wash only, and the press comes apart for filling and cleaning.
Why we like it
- Large, non-slip lever designed for repetitive use
- Non-slip base steadies the press
- 12 stainless steel disks and a storage case
- Backed by the OXO Better Guarantee
Key specifications
| Model | 1257580 |
|---|---|
| Action | Lever |
| Material | Clear body; stainless steel disks |
| Disks | 12 |
| Extras | Disk storage case |
| Cleaning | Hand wash only |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Warranty | OXO Better Guarantee |
Why we recommend it
It suits a baker who wants a comfortable lever and a steady base, and who is happy to lean on OXO’s guarantee if the mechanism gives trouble. It stays on this list for those reasons, but it is not our first choice.
Skip it if you want a press to last through years of big batches. America’s Test Kitchen’s long-term finding is the strongest evidence against any press on this page.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Comfortable for repeated pressing
- Steady non-slip base
- Strong maker guarantee
Cons
- America’s Test Kitchen found it unreliable over time
- Reported jamming and handle failure
- Hand wash only
6. Fante’s Easy Cookie Press – A Crank for Firm Dough
The odd one out, and useful because of it. Fante’s is an Italian Market kitchen shop that dates its name to 1906, and this press works by turning a handle instead of pulling a trigger. The listing says each turn moves the dough with firm, gentle pressure.
That is why people buy it for firm doughs. The listing names authentic Italian cookies and cheese straws, and buyer comments we read say it copes with thick cheese straw dough better than plastic presses. You load it by unscrewing the top, choose one of five traditional shapes on a sliding plate, then turn.
It is not an independently tested press: we found retailer pages and buyer comments only, and no review from a test kitchen. Retailers mostly list it as aluminum, with one adding stainless steel and polypropylene parts. Buyers also mention cleaning trouble and rust, so hand wash it in warm, soapy water as Fante’s says and dry it thoroughly straight away.
Why we like it
- Crank handle gives steady pressure on firm dough
- Five shapes built into a sliding plate, with no loose disks
- Comes apart for cleaning
- Includes instructions and a Fante’s family recipe
Key specifications
| Model | 12007 |
|---|---|
| Action | Hand crank |
| Material | Aluminum, per retailers; one adds stainless steel and polypropylene |
| Disks | 5 on one sliding plate |
| Extras | Instructions and family recipe |
| Cleaning | Hand wash, dry thoroughly |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Warranty | 1 year, per a retailer listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits bakers who press stiff doughs, particularly cheese straws, and who have found that plastic trigger presses struggle with them.
Skip it if you want a wide choice of shapes, or independent test results. It offers five shapes, and a crank takes two hands.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Handles firm dough well, buyers say
- No small disks to lose
- Long-established shop name
Cons
- Only five shapes
- No independent test found
- Buyers report rust
7. Wilton Cookie Pro Ultra II Cookie Press – More Disks, Thin Evidence
This is Wilton’s larger trigger press, and it is a different product from the Simple Success above. The listing title gives 12 disks plus 4 bonus disks, which is more variety than the smaller Wilton set. Other sellers describe the 12 festive shapes and 4 mini cookie disks as a pair, with a soft-grip trigger, a see-through hourglass barrel and a non-slip bottom.
The press has a pull-up action: The Kitchen Professor compares it to pulling the trigger on a water hose. That review likes the non-slip silicone base and clear cylinder, but warns that pulling up gives less leverage than pushing down, so thick dough may be harder to press out. It does not say whether the author used the press.
Go in with open eyes on this one. The Amazon listing has no feature list and no model number. Other sellers tie the name to model 2104-4018, but we could not confirm that for this listing, and set contents vary from seller to seller. America’s Test Kitchen did not include it. Buyer reports are mixed, with some raising durability, and one buyer of the 2104-4018 reported rough edges and dough leaking at the side. Check the seller and the box contents when it arrives, and return it if parts look wrong.
Why we like it
- 12 disks plus 4 bonus disks, per the listing title
- See-through barrel, per other sellers
- Non-slip silicone base, per The Kitchen Professor
- From an established baking brand
Key specifications
| Model | Not stated on the listing; other sellers give 2104-4018 |
|---|---|
| Action | Pull-up trigger |
| Material | Metal and plastic, per other sellers; descriptions vary |
| Disks | 12 plus 4 bonus, per the listing title |
| Extras | Not stated on the listing |
| Cleaning | Not stated; hand washing is the safe choice |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a Wilton fan who wants more shapes than the Simple Success offers and who bakes with soft spritz dough. It has the thinnest listing of any press here, so it ranks last.
Skip it if you want documented results or a clear warranty. The Marcato and Nordic Ware have independent evidence behind them, and this press does not.
Pros and cons
Pros
- More disks than the Simple Success
- Clear barrel
- Non-slip base
Cons
- Listing has no features or model number
- Mixed buyer reports on durability
- Less leverage on thick dough
How to choose a press for the way you bake
Start with the mechanism. The failures in America’s Test Kitchen’s review came at the ratchet and the handle, and durability sat alongside appearance and consistency in its ratings. Two well-known presses, the OXO and a Wilton, fell down on exactly that point. A simple mechanism, or a strong guarantee, is worth more than extra disks.
Match the press to your dough. Soft spritz dough suits a lever or trigger press. Stiff dough for cheese straws suits a crank. Cold dough is the wrong choice for the Nordic Ware press, which says not to use refrigerated dough. America’s Test Kitchen tried dough at both 65 and 75 degrees because temperature changes results.
Count useful shapes, not disks. A set of 20 sounds generous, but what counts is whether it holds the designs you will really make. If you bake for one holiday, check for those shapes before anything else.
Look at cleaning. Dough gets into threads and teeth, and more parts mean more to wash. Steel disks should be dried straight away, and hand washing is the default for most of these presses.
Check your baking sheet. Recipe writers agree that pressed dough needs to grip a cool, clean, ungreased sheet, or it stays stuck to the press. That rules out parchment and silicone, so read our guide to the best baking sheets before you start. A silicone baking mat is a good tool for many cookies, but not for spritz.
How we picked these seven presses
We have not used these products ourselves. We started with the full field of presses on Amazon, kept only in-stock items from makers we could identify, and then looked for evidence outside the listing. The main source is America’s Test Kitchen’s September 2023 cookie press review, whose testers pressed more than 1,400 cookies at two dough temperatures and judged appearance, consistency, ease of use and durability.
Because a cookie press touches food, we left out the many sellers with no maker information and no independent review, even though they filled the search results. Three picks here have no independent test we could find, the two Wilton presses and the Fante’s, and we kept them because each comes from an established name. The Wilton Cookie Pro Ultra II has the weakest evidence of the seven, and it ranks last for that reason. We found no cpsc.gov recall for a cookie press from any of these makers.
Cookie press questions, answered
Is a cookie press gun better than a crank press?
A cookie press gun, with a trigger or lever, suits dozens of small spritz cookies, since each click makes one cookie. A crank such as the Fante’s takes two hands, but buyers say it copes better with stiff dough. Choose by the dough you make most often.
Why is my dough not sticking to the baking sheet?
The usual causes are a greased, lined or warm sheet. Recipe writers advise a cool, clean, ungreased sheet with no parchment or mat. If the dough is too soft, chilling it briefly can help, but check your press first, as the Nordic Ware press should not be used with refrigerated dough.
Can you make churros with a cookie press?
The presses on this page are built for pressing dough directly onto a sheet, while churro dough is piped into hot oil, and none of them is sold for churros. Some kits do both jobs. Our guide to the best churro maker covers what to look for.
Are cookie press disks interchangeable between brands?
Do not count on it. None of these listings claims its disks fit other presses. Buy extra disks from the same maker for the same model.
Can a cookie press go in the dishwasher?
Most of these cannot. The Marcato, OXO and Fante’s are all hand wash, and the listings for the Nordic Ware press and the Wilton Cookie Pro Ultra II do not say. The Kuhn Rikon is listed as dishwasher safe, but some retailers advise hand washing its disks to prevent corrosion.
Our final pick for pressed cookies
Buy the Marcato Atlas Deluxe if you bake often and want shapes that come out clean. Choose the Nordic Ware set if you bake once or twice a year, or want one tool for cookies and frosting. Pick the Fante’s for stiff doughs. Whichever you choose, press onto a cool, bare sheet and get the dough temperature right before you blame the press.
For cookies that do not need shaping, our guide to the best cookie scoop is the simpler route, and a good cooling rack helps either way. If you are looking for something closer to home, Mexican desserts explained covers the sweets Mexican kitchens are known for.
And if you would rather someone else did the cooking tonight, see the menu or call to order.