Easy Party Hat Cookies



      I have to admit that I am not a very big fan of hand cutting cookies.  I don't seem to have the knack for it so if I can get a cookie cutter to do the job than I'm that much happier.  All of these faces started with just one cookie cutter and then I used a cutter here and a cutter there to create a myriad of fun party hats and hairstyles. 


   These little guys were made with a gnome cookie cutter I designed.  I gave him this large hat so it could be cut in many different ways to make different characters.  If you don't have this cutter that's okay because you can use these same ideas to cut lots of faces from cupcake and ice cream cookie cutters too.


    One easy way to make different hats is to gently curl the dough before it's baked.  Once you've transferred the cut cookie to the baking sheet carefully lift the point of the hat and curl it to one side.  If the dough is too cold or too dry it may crack but that's easily fixed by patting the edge with your finger.


   A moon cutter is good for easily cutting a nice smooth round.   If you tried to cut this with a full circle you would end up cutting off the sides of the cookie as well but the half circle easily removes just the square without messing up the rest. 



      There are many other common cutters that can be used to cut away the shape in interesting ways.  A holly cookie cutter is a must have for this kind of cutting.  I particularly like the holly cutters because they have a variety of half circles and you can make many different cuts like I did with these easy painted flower cookies.   Bat cutters are also great because of all the little points and curves.   I used them to cut a hair bow but it could also be cat ears or lil' devil horns too.

    Now I'll admit I own a lot of cookie cutters and still every season I have to check the new ones in the stores.   Plus I pick up so many of them at garage sales and thrift stores just to get that ONE in the bag I really want.  If you're anything like me you have a lot of  duplicate cutters and I have a great tip for how you can put them to use! 
     You'll need a heat tool for this and some spare plastic cookie cutters.  The tool should come with a thin craft blade.  Let it heat up and you can cut right through your plastic cookie cutters like butter!


      Please be careful when using the hobby tool.  Not only does the tip get burning hot (obviously) but so does the stand and the cuff where the tool rests.  It's really easy to forget and burn your forearm when  reaching across the tool or touch the stand after you pick up the tool.  Melted plastic also smells awful so be sure to use good ventilation.
     If you don't have a good moon cutter for cutting a nice round head then cut a spare circle cutter into pieces.  You can get a couple different curves from the same circle depending on how you chop it up.


     I should warn you that once you start looking for useful pieces you can cut off of extra cookie cutters you might get carried away.  The top of this bell cutter makes a great stocking cap.  That little nub would be a pain to hand cut but it's a breeze with this little shape.


     I got double duty out of this spare tulip because both ends are interesting.


     This set of circles from Walmart would be a great one to cut into pieces because not only are they cheap but one side is scalloped so you can cut a curly head easily!


    Once you get going with these little guys the possibilities are endless.  Go dig through your spare cutters and I'll bet you'll find all kinds of cuties looking to get out!



I hope you enjoy your weekend!

Comments

  1. I just love the way your brain works, Sarah! I need to get a moon cutter!!!!!

    Jill FCS

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  2. Seriously?? You are so SMART!! I have a ton of old cutter I would love to cut. Now I know how!! Thanks for the great tutorial!!!

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  3. You just rocked my cookie world. ROCKED MY COOKIE WORLD!

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  4. Seriously. I can't stop thinking about this. I will NEVER be the same!

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  5. Wow.

    I despise handcutting, too and now you have just added to my OCD behavior on having to get these extra cutters........what a fun, fun and interesting post!

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  6. Uauuuu formidable paso a paso!!
    Gracias por compartirlo.
    Un saludo.

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  7. A whole new woooooooorld... Great post! thanks for your amazing brain and for sharing this innovative idea!

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  8. Great idea, I will be looking at cookie cutters a whole new way. Just wish I had saw this a week earlier. Passed up 2 bags of cookie cuuters at a thrift sale last week.

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  9. How fantastic! I was recently trying to use the outside edge of another cutter to make some variations and it just wasn't right... it never dawned on me that I could do this. Bravo!

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  10. Wow! This is a great idea ^_^ You are a genius!

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  11. Brilliant! Now, if I could just get the icing part down...*sigh*

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  12. Oh la la, those are so cute and pretty! I'm not I'll be able to eat them because of their cuteness! I'll display them for the world to see! That is, if I even know how to bake and put icing as good as that. :)

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  13. Sarah, you are incredible! This whole post is so full of awesomeness!

    If you're looking to get rid of some cutters (or trade them), have you heard about the Facebook Group "Cookie Cutter B/S/T"?? People are posting some awesome cutters they're willing to sell or trade plus others who are looking for a specific cutter. Go take a look!

    I'm definitely saving this in my "Cutter Inspiration" file! I wonder if simply heating up the blade of an Exacto knife on the stove would work as well as the heat tool? I don't have the tool but have plenty of Exacto knives to spare.

    Thank you!!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Nikki. I'm actually a member of that cookie swap group too, I just have't gotten around to posting anything yet. :)

      I don't know if heating an X-acto knife would work or not. I'm not sure it would get hot enough to cut cleanly through the plastic. All the big craft stores probably have the heat tool and it's a good item to use a coupon on. Plus you can use it to cut stencils too!

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  14. I am so excited about this post. So many wonderful ideas! Thanks!
    PS - I also immediately ordered the gnome cookie cutter set. I couldn't resist it!!!

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  15. This has seriously been the most magical thing I have seen all week!!! So impressed!

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  16. Ameiiiiiiiiiiiii e já me tornei sua seguidora,parabéns!!!
    Claudinha

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  17. That is absolutely mind blowing.... Brilliant! Thank you for sharing

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  18. You hit it waaaaay out of the ballpark! Thanks for sharing with the rest of us!

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  19. I love what you did! Thanks for sharing!

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  20. thanks for the tip,, i love your work,,

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  21. This is amazing, so innovative. Brava! Of course, right after I got rid of all of my extra cutters. lol.

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  22. Wow!
    You are a genius! I was looking for an elf cookie cutter. Need to make some elf cookies for my little one's brownie party. This is the perfect solution. Love your work!

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  23. Wow this post was amazing!

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  24. I don't know why but when I cook my cookies they puff and I loos the details of their shapes!

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