When you’re making cookies, you might want to make a shape you don't have a cookie cutter for. In that case, you can quickly and easily make your own to fit your needs with just a few household items! For a more traditional, reusable cookie cutter, you can use an empty soda can. If you want to cut a more unusual shape out of the dough, it’s best to use sturdy photo paper as a stencil for your cookies.

If you want to make words with cookie cutters, you need to form a stencil-style shape. Letters like A, B, D, G, O, P, Q and R would require 2 cutouts to form the letter if you do not use a stencil format. Creating an imprint on the cookie can be done with wire and a pair of pliers. Write out the word, then shape the wire on this template. Too thin a wire will result in the impression disappearing when the cookie is baked; too thick a wire will make it difficult to shape any letters.

Most sheet metal is cut with metal snips that are designed to cut metal without getting blunt blades. A heavy-duty paper guillotine may be more efficient, but it will get blunted, as it is designed to cut paper. A whetstone can be used to sharpen the blade. Be careful of the sharp edges created by cut metal as well as the cutting tool blades. Kevlar gloves may feel bulky, but it will prevent any severe cut from handling the materials.

Once you’ve cut out as many shapes as possible on the sheet, pull the excess dough up and off of the sheet and set it aside. If you have interior cutouts, use a knife or your fingers to gently pull them out of the shape. Reposition the cookies on the sheet as needed before baking.

With your non-dominant hand, hold the stencil in place. Use your dominant hand to cut around the outline of the shape, following the stencil closely to make the shape as clean as possible. Then, cut out any shapes that need to be removed from the inside of the cookie.

Tip: If you just made the dough, store it in the fridge or freezer while you make the stencil so that it’s chilled when you’re ready to cut out the shapes.

Once you have the stencil made, roll out a sheet of chilled dough and position the stencil at the top of the dough. Try to place the stencil so that you can make as many cookies out of the sheet of dough as possible.

Use a pair of sharp scissors to cut the shape out of the paper. Make sure you get as close to the outline of the image as possible. If you’re having trouble because the shape is complex, try working in small sections at a time to make sure you make the shape as accurate as possible.

This method is ideal for odd shapes, like logos, animals, or even silhouettes. Find a simple picture with a clear, easy-to-follow outline, and choose a sturdy photo paper that’s labeled as at least 8.5 mil thick or 75 pounds (34 kg). Once the image prints, let the ink dry for 2-3 minutes before handling the paper.

When the shape is ready, trim off any excess aluminum and hold the two ends of the strip together. Seal them with a food-safe adhesive, like Permabond or Hot Melt, and let the adhesive dry for at least 6 hours before using the cookie cutters.

Carefully take the strips in your hands and form them into the shape that you want. Remember, they don’t have to be perfect since you’ll be able to bend them slightly as needed if they’re not producing the results that you want.

Cut straight down the side of the cylinder so that the aluminum can lay flat on a table, like a sheet. Then, carefully cut strips of at leastinch (0.64 cm) in width from the can. It may be helpful to use a marker to draw guidelines for the strips, or you can make the cuts freehand.

Warning: The edges of the can will be extremely sharp once you begin cutting them. It’s best to wear a pair of thick rubber gloves or work gloves while you’re cutting and handling the metal.

Push one of the blades of the scissors into the can aboutinch (0.64 cm) away from the lip on the top of the can, and then cut around the can to remove the top. Then, do the same with the bottom of the can so you have an aluminum cylinder that’s open on the top and the bottom.

Pour out any remaining liquid, and then use a bottle cleaner to scrub the inside of the can with soap and hot water. Place the can with the opening facing down to dry for at least 2-3 hours before starting to make your cookie cutters.

Support wikiHow's Educational Mission

Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today.