Christmas Sock Cookie Cutter

Of all the December shapes, the hung stocking is the one that survives being shrunk down to biscuit size: the folded cuff, the wide foot, the kink at the heel all still read at a glance, even before any icing goes on. This cutter puts that outline in the kitchen drawer for the baking weekend. Shortbread, gingerbread and sugar-cookie dough all take it well, and the shape leaves a generous open area for royal icing, sprinkles or a child with a piping bag and no plan. It is a good one for a school fair batch, an advent countdown, or a tin of biscuits given away at work. One file, ready to go, and modest enough to justify running off several so more than one pair of hands can cut at once.