Kitchen Tip: Easy, Creative Treat Shapes
This Kitchen Tip is a guest post by Kristan of Confessions of a Cookbook Queen. Welcome, Kristan!
One thing I’ve learned when it comes to serving desserts is that presentation is key. Sloppy treats are unappetizing, and will often go uneaten.
My favorite trick for neat and creatively cut brownies and bars is using a biscuit cutter instead of a knife.
photo by Kristan
Biscuit cutters are tall and sturdy enough to cut even thick brownies, and the handle makes pushing it through a breeze. You can buy biscuit cutters in several different shapes, and a set usually has four or five different sizes to choose from.
Note from Katie: I have had these Flower Biscuit Cutters for a while and love them. Great for all sorts of things: sandwiches for kids, brownies, biscuits, and scones. I also recently purchase heart and snowflake sets. There are all sorts of fun shapes on Amazon and many with nesting sizes.
How to Cut Treats with Biscuit Cutters
1. Line your pan with foil before pouring in your batter. (related: Kitchen Tip: Lining Pans with Parchment)
2. Once your brownies are cooled to room temperature, refrigerate until firm. Cold brownies are easier to cut neatly.
3. Remove brownies from pan by lifting up on the foil. Peel foil down from the sides, laying flat.
4. Using your biscuit cutter, cut brownies as close together as possible to cut down on waste. You may have to gently push the top of the brownie to remove from the biscuit cutter.
Note: I prefer a round cutter, but only because it makes for an unexpected alternative to square brownies.
And that’s all there is to it! Thanks so much for sharing this great tip with us, Kristan!
Another note from Katie: If you’re concerned about the scraps – don’t be! You can use them to make all sorts of other treats from cake balls to individual trifles.
Kristan Roland is a displaced housewife, living, baking, and blogging in rural Arkansas. On Confessions of a Cookbook Queen Kristan shares her love of sugar and sparkle, along with personal anecdotes, which she usually serves with a side of sarcasm.
Though she has no formal training, other than a few craft store cake decorating classes, she is a firm believer that even the most imperfect people are capable of creating fabulous things in the kitchen.
Norma says
Hi Katie,
How do you keep the biscuit cutter from sticking to the brownies as you cut them?
Katie Kick says
Hi Norma, if you are having difficulty with the cutter sticking, I recommend you spray it with nonstick cooking spray. Another method that also works well is dipping the cutter in flour.
Amy @ A Little Nosh says
Or you can do what I’d do, and that would be to eat all the scraps before anyone knew they existed.
TheGourmetCoffeeGuy says
Great tips, especially liked the suggestion for the scraps…very creative and resourceful.
Happy When Not Hungry says
How cute and so creative!! These brownies looks delicious too!
Aimee @ Simple Bites says
Two of my favorite bloggers in on place. Awwww. Great tip! I think I need some biscuit cutters for Mother’s Day.
Shaina says
So cute and so much fun! Imagine all the cute treats you could make with different shapes.
Felice - All That's Left Are The Crumbs says
Thanks for the tips! I have been known to use one of those “rocking” pizza cutters when I need to cut even bars from brownies or bar cookies.
Melanie says
Such a smart idea, I’m never using a knife again!
Courtney says
I don’t even own biscuit cutters, and now I want them to just cut brownies! Thanks for the tip 🙂
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
I love the fluted cutter, what an easy way to dress up brownies!
Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction says
This is such a great idea! I often bake individual brownies in a muffin pan to get uniform round shapes, but I never thought to use a cookie cutter or a biscuit cutter!
Tracy says
What a great idea! It’s true, pretty food tastes better. 🙂
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says
Very fun, Kristan! I’m always looking for a new twist for a favorite traditional treat!
Kelli @ The Corner Kitchen says
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing!
Elizabeth M says
Thanks for the tip! I would never have thought about it, but it is such a great idea!
naomi says
Lovely idea, Kristan! Great crossover use.
Diane says
Bet this would work great with the tray of Pillsbury brownies I like to buy from Sam’s Club when I’m asked to bring something for a bake sale. If I cut them in fun shapes, then I don’t have to worry about someone figuring out they weren’t baked at home!
Jill says
As always, thanks for the tip.Brownies go so fast at my house…. hope I have time to chill and cut in the cute shapes….lol
TidyMom says
oh I love this idea!!!……….and there are no calories in eating all the scraps when I cut the round brownies right? lol
Kristy says
I am so going to order me some of those!! They are fun!! My daughter LOVES taking treats to her dance class, and I bet they are tired of cupcakes, so brownies will be a fun change for the little ballerinas!! 🙂 Thanks for the tip!!!!
Michele says
I cut brownies into mini hearts for my daughter to take to her class at school. Dribbled them with a little white frosting and they LOVED it!!!! Regular brownies are boring.
Katie says
I did that a couple years ago – thanks for the reminder! And they were a big hit! Chocolate Covered Heart Shaped Brownies for Valentine’s Day
Jennifer says
Great Tips! Love all your guest posts! 🙂
Adena says
Awesome tips! Pretty food always tastes better. And of course if you are preparing these as a gift, if you don’t cut them so close – you get to enjoy the “scraps”.
Dawn says
Love this idea. Going to have to try it next time I make brownies. I know the kids would love the surprise of shaped brownies in their lunch.
Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies says
I never would have thought of this in a million years. Seriously. This is why I bow down to you and Katie for stuff like this.
Amanda says
What a fantastic tip!! Love seeing the beautiful Kristan over here!
Michaela says
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a brownie go uneaten.. but then again I do live with college students..
ashli says
Great tip Kristan! I can’t wait to get some and try it on my next batch — or maybe to cut petit fours! See you back at your blog!
Cookbook Queen says
Thanks so much for having me over today, katie!! 🙂
bridget {bake at 350} says
Kristan is such a smartie!
brandi says
Great tip! I love having more than one use for tools in the kitchen.