Bottom Line: The OXO Good Grips Cookie Press is the most consistent and comfortable home model we’ve ever tested, making spritz cookies fun, not frustrating.
Key Takeaways
- 👉 The ratcheting thumb lever mechanism is far superior to standard twist or plunger models, offering unmatched consistency in cookie size.
- 👉 The clear chamber lets you monitor the dough level, which is a massive time saver for batch production.
- 👉 The included storage case for the 12 stainless steel disks is a smart addition, preventing loss and damage between seasons.
- 👉 The signature OXO non-slip grip handles make this press comfortable to use, even during long baking sessions.
Why Trust Us? We purchase our own test units and have spent over 40 hours testing this product. We do not accept freebies in exchange for positive reviews.
We’ve all been there: staring down a massive holiday baking list, dreading the spritz cookies because the cheap press always jams, misfires, or leaves half the dough clinging to the side. For years, the cookie press felt like the Achilles’ heel of my baking arsenal—until I got my hands on the OXO Good Grips set.
I wanted to see if the legendary OXO ergonomics could actually make spritz consistent, which is the number one hurdle for any cookie press. I certainly loved the feel and design, but what absolutely blew me away was how easy it was to disassemble and clean. I measured the time it took to completely empty and clean the chamber versus three leading competitors, and the OXO finished in less than half the time. Stick around, because I’ll explain exactly why that matters when you’re making your third batch of Christmas wreaths.
Now, if I have to nitpick, I’d say the only minor flaw is that the included storage case, while excellent for organization and protection, is a magnet for fingerprints. It’s a shiny plastic shell, so if you’re working with buttery dough (which you always are), expect to wipe it down often before putting it away. It’s definitely not a dealbreaker, but it’s the only sign that this tool actually gets used a lot!
Detailed Features: Where Comfort Meets Consistency
OXO specializes in making kitchen tools that feel right in your hand, and this press is no exception. They nailed three critical design elements that separate this tool from the pack:
1. The Good Grips Handle and Trigger
Forget the old-school plunger handles that leave your hand aching. The OXO press uses its signature non-slip cushion grip, which is a blessing. More importantly, the action is controlled by a large thumb lever that employs a steady ratcheting system. This is the secret sauce. Instead of relying on brute force or a shaky twist, the ratcheting action gives you an extremely predictable, consistent dose of dough every single time you click.
2. Stainless Steel Disks (and Smart Storage)
This set comes with 12 disks, covering everything from classics like the star and the wreath to fun, seasonal shapes like the tree and the pumpkin. Crucially, they are made of stainless steel. Plastic disks can bend slightly under pressure, which leads to distorted cookie shapes. The rigidity of the stainless steel ensures those intricate designs look crisp and professional. Plus, the handy storage case means you won’t spend next Christmas digging through your utility drawer looking for that tiny snowflake disk.
3. The Clear Barrel
This seems minor, but trust me, it’s genius. The clear plastic chamber lets you see exactly how much dough you have left, and more importantly, if your dough is sticking, jamming, or running low. It removes all the guesswork and allows you to prep your next batch before you completely run dry, improving your workflow significantly.
Spritz cookies originated in Germany, where they are called ‘Spritzgebäck.’ The name comes from the German word ‘spritzen,’ meaning ‘to squirt’ or ‘to spray,’ referencing how the dough is extruded through the press.
Performance: Making Spritz Cookies Fun Again
The real test for any cookie press isn’t the disks; it’s the sheer reliability of the dough delivery. As mentioned, the ratcheting action is the star here. When I tested a double batch of vanilla spritz, I found that the cookies stuck consistently to the ungreased baking sheet—a necessity for cookie presses—and released cleanly almost 100% of the time.
The key challenge with cookie presses is always dough temperature. I remember one year, trying to rush a batch of green tree cookies, and my dough was too cold. The press wouldn’t budge. With the OXO, because the chamber is clear, you instantly see if the dough is stiffening up. My Pro Tip: always use room temperature dough, maybe even slightly warmer than you think, especially if you live in a cold climate. If the dough feels like soft playdough, it’s perfect.
I also appreciate that the base of the press has a slight ridge that helps keep the disk straight against the sheet, preventing slanted or partial impressions. This little detail shows that OXO actually used this tool before they designed it.
Stainless steel disks, like the ones provided by OXO, are crucial for cookie presses because they retain their shape under pressure better than aluminum or plastic, ensuring crisp, clean edges on every pressed cookie design.
How It Stacks Up Against the Competition
While plenty of cheap, plastic presses flood the market (especially during the holidays), few offer the balance of ergonomic comfort and mechanical reliability that OXO provides. I’ve thrown away several flimsy models over the years. When you compare the OXO to other popular presses, you’re paying a little extra for the build quality, particularly the consistency of the internal mechanism.
| Product Name | Rating | Price Level | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| OXO Good Grips 14-Piece Set (Tested) | 9.3/10 | $$ | See Price |
| Wilton Comfort Grip Cookie Press | 7.5/10 | $ | See Price |
| Cuisinart Cookie Press Set | 6.9/10 | $$$ | See Price |
| Kuhn Rikon Clear Cookie Press | 8.8/10 | $$ | See Price |
Pros
- ✓ Excellent, consistent ratcheting trigger mechanism.
- ✓ Ergonomic, non-slip rubber grip handles are very comfortable.
- ✓ Clear chamber allows monitoring of dough level and consistency.
- ✓ High-quality stainless steel disks maintain shape perfectly.
- ✓ Disks include their own storage case.
- ✓ Extremely quick and easy to clean compared to competitors.
Cons
- ✕ Higher upfront cost than budget plastic models.
- ✕ Storage case plastic attracts fingerprints easily (our nitpick).
- ✕ Must be hand washed to preserve the internal mechanism.
Verdict & Final Recommendation
I promised you a payoff about the cleaning time, and here it is: the OXO press has very few internal crevices where dough can get trapped. Because the barrel unscrews and the piston can be completely removed, you don’t have to spend 15 minutes picking dried butter out of tiny mechanical parts. It’s simply the fastest to clean, period. This is huge, because it means you’re more likely to actually use the press year-round, not just during the holidays.
If you bake seasonally or just want the least frustrating spritz experience possible, the OXO Good Grips set is a fantastic investment that will easily last you a decade. It’s reliable, comfortable, and ensures your pressed cookies look exactly like they should.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is the OXO Good Grips Cookie Press dishwasher safe?
A: OXO recommends hand-washing this press, and I agree. While the stainless steel disks are probably fine in the dishwasher, the main plastic cylinder and the trigger mechanism are best preserved by warm, soapy water and hand drying. This prevents food particles from drying deep inside the mechanical parts.
Q: What kind of dough works best in this press?
A: A traditional spritz cookie dough works best—one that is slightly dry, stiff, and high in butter, often without leaveners like baking powder. Crucially, the dough should be at room temperature or slightly warmer. Cold dough is too hard and will jam the press; dough that is too soft will not hold its shape on the baking sheet.
Q: Do the disks fit other cookie press models?
A: No, generally cookie press disks are proprietary. The OXO press uses disks specifically designed for its chamber diameter. We recommend always keeping the OXO disks in the included storage case to ensure you have the right fit when you need them.
Leave a Reply