A while back I bought an embossed rolling pin to make fancy cookies. If there’s one thing I do enjoy baking it’s a homemade biscuit. They’re simple and usually forgiving if you don’t stick exactly to the amount listed in the ingredients. So, when I saw this rolling pin, I knew it would be the perfect addition to my cookie decorating arsenal.

The thing I like most about this rolling pin is that it’s not Christmas-themed. This means I can make cute biscuits with it all year round. And what better time to get it out than Valentine’s Day? But how do you use an embossed rolling pin for best results?

Tip #1

The best thing you can do when wanting the best results from an embossed rolling pin is to use the correct recipe. You need a very short dough such as my favourite shortbread, sugar cookies or a short pastry. The pattern on the rolling pin will not spread and disappear when cooked with this type of recipe. I’ve included a sugar cookie recipe below.

Ingredients to Make Sugar Cookies

• 200g Unsalted butter
• 150g icing sugar
• 1 egg
• A pinch of salt
• 400g plain flour
• ½ tsp mixed spice
• ½ tsp cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Pre-heat the oven to 200C
2. Cream the butter with the sugar until pale and creamy.
3. Add the egg and mix well.
4. Sift together the flour, salt and spices, add to wet mixture until well incorporated.
5. Once the mixture has formed a dough, flatten it with your hands, cut in half and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
6. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one of the pastry halves with a plain rolling pin (not the embossed pin) to around 1cm thick
7. Roll over the dough with the embossed rolling pin once.
8. Use cookie cutters to cut the cookies into shapes. Refridgerate for 30+ mins to harden the dough again
9. Bake cookies at 200C for 7-8 minutes.
10. Allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Tip #2

For perfect patterns every time you use your embossed rolling pin refridgerate or freeze the dough for around 30 minutes after you roll the pattern into it and cut the cookies. This will stop the dough from losing shape and spreading when you bake it.

Tip #3

Your dough should not stick to the rolling pin but if it does add a little flour to the top of the dough. To clean your embossed rolling pin, use a wire brush in a circular motion. An old toothbrush works well. Try not to wet the rolling pin if you can. This could cause it to swell and lose its design.

HAPPY BAKING!