Favorites-An outlet for all things related to food: How to make Cookie "Cutter" Templates

I'm a cookie cutter collector, still expanding my collection of cutters, but there are times when I just can't find a cutter I need or I want to make a special cookie design and a custom cookie cutter doesn't come exactly cheap. A really easy and quick way is to make a cookie template.
I started experimenting with this technique last year in 2009, using a thick cardboard, I traced the design on the cardboard and then cut it out. For these cookie below I used cardboard templates.

One thing that I didn't like when using cardboard templates was that cardboard template tends to stick to the cookie dough when you are cutting the cookie, even when the dough is really cold, so I made an extra trip...to the craft store, somebody recommended using stencil blanks for the templates....but did you see how expensive those are! So instead of stencil blanks I bought Avery Plastic Dividers, they work like magic and are also perfect for home made stencils, for the price of $3-4 you get 8 large plastic sheet.

As you can see in the photo below I'm going to be making some cookie shoes. I found some inspiration online, so I printed them in the approximate size I want the cookie to be, all you need to do is to trace the outline of your desired design on the plastic divider and then just cut with scissors...and voila your cookie template is ready

You can download

Shoes Cookie "Cutter" Templates here

Few Tips when making cookies using Cookie Templates

Use a sharp knife / I like to use paring knife/ or exacto knife / you can get one in craft store, I think Walmart carries them too/.
Make sure the blade is clean and if needed replace the blade of exacto knife.

Roll your cookie dough between two pieces of wax paper and put in the fridge/freezer till the dough is well chilled, this helps keeping the edges of your cookies sharp when cutting the dough using the knife.

Here are few examples of cookie design that I made using cookie templates.