Hornbook | Cookie Mold

This reproduction Dutch cookie mold is inspired by the carved molds used in Europe and the American colonies from the 17th through the 19th centuries. Bakers relied on carved blocks to shape festive biscuits, mark holidays, and add charm to everyday table fare.

This mold features an angel in the familiar style of a hornbook—an educational tool used for centuries to teach children their letters, prayers, and simple readings. Traditionally made of wood or horn and shaped like a paddle, hornbooks often carried decorative or symbolic elements. Designs such as angels were common, reflecting both instruction and moral guidance for young learners.

Measuring approximately 2.875 by 3.875 inches, this mold carries that same spirit of early craftsmanship. Pressing dough into the pattern creates a clear, raised impression—ideal for spiced cookies, speculaas, springerle, or other molded treats. A light dusting of flour helps the dough release cleanly, just as historic kitchen guides advised.

Whether put to use in seasonal baking or displayed in a period kitchen, this mold offers a simple gateway into the culinary traditions brought to early America by Dutch settlers, along with a nod to the educational tools familiar to countless colonial households.