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With kitchenware, what you see is usually what you get. A deep round-bottomed cooking pan is a wok, a narrow cylindrical beaker equipped with a metal or plastic lid and plunger is a French press, and a bottle of wine is the best stress reliever after a long, hard day.

However, when it comes to cookie cutters, things become a little tricky. They come in so many shapes and sizes that it's easy to get confused about what they're supposed to represent. Luckily, there's a way to get to the bottom of it.

The Facebook group 'Cookie Cutter Identification' or 'CCID' has 144,000 members, all of whom are ready to help interpret the weirdest of these weird tools. Many even go beyond mere speculation; they take the challenge to the next level by creating drawings of their versions.

More info: Facebook

#1

My Mom Has A Cookie Cutter We Can't Figure Out

My Mom Has A Cookie Cutter We Can't Figure Out

Alicia Blazek Report

We got in touch with the creator of 'CCID,' Elizabeth Crecente, and she was kind enough to have a chat about it.

"I'm a cookier and I'm in a lot of cookie groups on Facebook. A few years ago, I was given some specialty cookie cutters and I couldn't figure out what they were. (I'm really terrible at this!) So I posted them in some cookie groups and people solved them all," Crecente explained the origins of the community to Bored Panda.

"Everyone really loved solving the mystery cutters. The focus of some Facebook cookies groups is quite specific so they don't all want to allow cookie cutter mystery posts. I thought that I'd start a group to pair up the cookiers with the cookie cutters (including their creators). Turns out, I'm not the only one who loves to do this!"

#3

It Kinda Looks Like A Mitten, But Then It Would Have 2... Pointy Thumbs?

It Kinda Looks Like A Mitten, But Then It Would Have 2... Pointy Thumbs?

Leigh-Anne Clabby Report

Often, Facebook groups this big need to constantly fend off spam, irrelevant content, and trolling, but according to Crecente, 'CCID's' problems are quite mild.

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"Luckily, we have an incredible group of people who don't require a crazy amount of policing," she said, adding that, "We do have to remove posts every day for being cookie cutters we've had posted before and many in which people are saying how the group has affected them in positive ways."

"I hate removing those because they are so sweet and uplifting, but because the membership has increased to over 105k in two weeks, we have to do it to keep us on track. I do have a weekly post where people can share all of those thoughts."

#5

Found This At Goodwill Not Sure What It's Actually Supposed To Be

Found This At Goodwill Not Sure What It's Actually Supposed To Be

Marissa Tirk Report

#6

Ok, Big Debate Over Here On What This Is…seal? Dino? Help! It Is Hard Plastic And Not Deformed On Any Way

Ok, Big Debate Over Here On What This Is…seal? Dino? Help! It Is Hard Plastic And Not Deformed On Any Way

Kristy Leigh Troxler Report

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Tatenda
Community Member
3 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see a seal holding a ball on top of their nose. Just like on those shows...

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Although it was Elizabeth who has created 'CCID,' many have contributed to making it as inviting as it is today.

"With the state of our world right now, to have this bright, funny group became so delightful!" she said.

"And I feel so grateful that it's my group! I love everyone who has shaped it into what it is today."

#7

I Know What This Is, Love To See What You'll Think..

I Know What This Is, Love To See What You'll Think..

Carina Roos Report

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#8

I Saw This At A Kitchen Thrift Shop Today And Was Baffled

I Saw This At A Kitchen Thrift Shop Today And Was Baffled

Jennifer Sprofera Report

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"I started the group over a year ago. It was primarily for cookiers who ended up with a specialty cookie cutter that they couldn't decipher. There are hundreds of cookie cutter creators, so it can be a challenge. I have a working list in the 'files' section of cutter creators and the color filament they use to 3D print their cutters so that we can narrow down our search."

"The group started to pick up steam, and I was excited to have 1,100 members," Elizabeth said, laughing. "Then the mysterious Facebook algorithm aligned with some very funny and creative people, and here we are."

"Over the holidays, I was watching the membership increase by thousands per day (it still is), and the guesses for the cookie cutters started to be such a riot. I was unable to tear myself away, and I still can’t! I’m building the admin team because I was spending 14+ hours per day on this group alone (I have other groups and two businesses). I was up all night just laughing my head off at the drawings people made."

#9

My Dil Brought Me This Gingerbread Man With A Wedgie She Didn’t Know What To Do With. Then We Realized It Is To Make A Cookie That Sits On The Side Of A Mug

My Dil Brought Me This Gingerbread Man With A Wedgie She Didn’t Know What To Do With. Then We Realized It Is To Make A Cookie That Sits On The Side Of A Mug

Diane Lyles Report

#10

This Has Been A Mystery For More Than 50 Years. Just What In Tarnation Is This?

This Has Been A Mystery For More Than 50 Years. Just What In Tarnation Is This?

Kristine Ismaeil Report

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Probably one of the reasons for the group's welcoming and inclusive nature is its no politics rule. "We have people from all around the world now, and I'm so proud of that!" Elizabeth said.

"But there was still a theme surrounding a certain former president. Those drawings were incredibly funny, but we had to remove some as they became more and more outrageous."

#11

Help... I Can't Find A Way

Help... I Can't Find A Way

Jessica Esparza Guevara Report

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Hisseefit
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually I think it is Santa. My mother had a Christmas set with several and that looks like the Santa one.

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#12

This One Has Been In The Family For Years. Any Ideas??

This One Has Been In The Family For Years. Any Ideas??

Lindsey Larson Report

This is just one example, but as the group ballooned in size, the administrators have had to swiftly create and update its regulations.

"The rule on adult content was, 'Please review the group before allowing children to view it' because some drawings were a bit racy. But we rapidly had to add to that to keep guesses fairly mild because some of the issues that arose were getting to be very detailed and realistic. It’s a testimony to the skill of the group members, but eeek!"

#13

I Just Tried Googling Someone Else's Posted On Here And Found Whatever The F This Is

I Just Tried Googling Someone Else's Posted On Here And Found Whatever The F This Is

John Thacker Report

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Spending so much time running the group, its creator started noticing certain trends.

"One member finds a way to include a photo of her cat in every guess she makes," Elizabeth Crecente shared. "Another gentleman is a real artist with his pencil drawings."

Every now and then, an inside joke may also arise. "For a while, we had a definite theme of cat butts that I thought was hilarious. The details that people include are what makes them so funny!"

#15

My Aunt And My Mom Say It’s A Candle But I Really Don’t See It… What Is It! I Was Saying It’s A Sail Boat

My Aunt And My Mom Say It’s A Candle But I Really Don’t See It… What Is It! I Was Saying It’s A Sail Boat

Robyn Fuller Report

#16

I'm Very Confused Of What This Could Be. Any Suggestions?

 I'm Very Confused Of What This Could Be. Any Suggestions?

Lina Åkerblad Report

As Elizabeth mentioned, there's a handful of online communities for cookiers, but 'CCID' seems to stand out not only in terms of size but also creativity. (Avid Bored Panda readers might even remember a post we did on the subreddit 'What is My Cookie Cutter?', but 'CCID' predates it by a few months.)

She believes it's due to the members and their involvement.

"Honestly, I love to see the rarer cookie cutters, but the cutters themselves have been both simple and complex. It's the artists' drawings that are so creative."

#17

Saw This At An Antique Mall In One Of The Booths. Couldn’t Figure Out What It Was. I’m Thinking It May Be An Animal Of Some Sort

Saw This At An Antique Mall In One Of The Booths. Couldn’t Figure Out What It Was. I’m Thinking It May Be An Animal Of Some Sort

Lexi Stevens Report

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I don't know about you, but to me, the shape of a cookie definitely influences the way I enjoy it. Elizabeth agrees with my sentiment.

"As a cookier, the designs are really important," she said. "The specialty cookie cutter creators have their take on each design. Trends play a huge role in which cutters are popular."

"For example, round baby animals are popular, so you see a lot of those. Clothing and home design trends also play a big role. But now, the more basic, widely available cutters have incredibly creative guesses just as much as the more complex."

She personally enjoys the more specialized ones more because they are a bigger challenge to guess.

#20

We Have A Minor Controversy Over Here: I Say "Swan" While Mom And 8yo Say "Sleigh"

We Have A Minor Controversy Over Here: I Say "Swan" While Mom And 8yo Say "Sleigh"

Daniel Simms Report

"We will be creating a way to ask for serious answers and funny answers soon," Elizabeth revealed her future plans for the group. "There's room for both."

"We want to start a competition or bake-off to bake and frost the most hilarious versions of cookie cutter guesses. There are new, fun things on the horizon for the group!"

#21

I’ve Had This For Years And Never Known What It Was. It Came As A Freebie When I Ordered Cutters Once

I’ve Had This For Years And Never Known What It Was. It Came As A Freebie When I Ordered Cutters Once

Betsy Klingler Burke Report

#22

This Is Probably An Animal, But Other Than That... I Have No Idea. A Shoebill? Why Would You Make A Cookie Cutter Of That??

This Is Probably An Animal, But Other Than That... I Have No Idea. A Shoebill? Why Would You Make A Cookie Cutter Of That??

Lindsay Suddaby Report

#23

This One Has Bugged Me For Years. From The Bakery I Used To Work At, A Coworker And I Had A Long Running Joke That It Was Mc Hammer

This One Has Bugged Me For Years. From The Bakery I Used To Work At, A Coworker And I Had A Long Running Joke That It Was Mc Hammer

Laura Anzalone Report

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LynnCaster
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My grandma had this in a set. It's for a gingerbread woman. Set came with a man and kid, too.

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#24

Music Note - Turned On Side

Music Note - Turned On Side

Schantel Smith Report

#25

This One Was In A Box Of Slightly Squished Cookie Cutters, So It Is Definitely Not Supposed To Be Anything

This One Was In A Box Of Slightly Squished Cookie Cutters, So It Is Definitely Not Supposed To Be Anything

Sarah Grønvold Report

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Lyone Fein
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's upside down. It's a cup shaped mortar and pestle, like many pharmacies used to use as a symbol of their profession.

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#26

Somebody?

Somebody?

Carina Roos Report

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Bored something
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Icecream sundae, head end of Dino is the bottom of the dish and a wafer poking out the top.

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#27

Cant Seem To Figure This One Up ... It Always Ends Up Being À Lil Ghost

Cant Seem To Figure This One Up ... It Always Ends Up Being À Lil Ghost

Clementine Langlais Report

#28

This One Confuses Me Every Year. It's In The Same Box As All The Christmas Cutters, But It May Have Gotten Misplaced

This One Confuses Me Every Year. It's In The Same Box As All The Christmas Cutters, But It May Have Gotten Misplaced

Isla Howard Report

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#29

I Thought Humming Bird, Someone Else Thought It Was Marilyn, Another Thought It Was A Ballerina But None Really Fit

 I Thought Humming Bird, Someone Else Thought It Was Marilyn, Another Thought It Was A Ballerina But None Really Fit

Phoenix Anne O'Neil Report

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80 Van
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s both an old woman and a young woman, depending on which way you look at it.

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#30

Mystery

Mystery

Laura Hilburn Report

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Lara Elliott
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

(Upside down) dog profile (muzzle and nose) with a bow at the bottom (which is the top of the current view)

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#31

My Friend Found This The Other Day Cleaning Her Kitchen. Any Ideas?? Maybe A Wing? A Cloud? Who Knows

My Friend Found This The Other Day Cleaning Her Kitchen. Any Ideas?? Maybe A Wing? A Cloud? Who Knows

Caroline Matzdorff Report

#32

My Mum Found This And Can’t Work Out What It Is. Says She Has Been Like It For Years. Thought It Might Be A Holly Leaf Or Something

My Mum Found This And Can’t Work Out What It Is. Says She Has Been Like It For Years. Thought It Might Be A Holly Leaf Or Something

Beth Dogherty Report

#33

It Has A Smaller Version I Found With It. Exact Same Just Smaller. Like It Was A 2 Piece Set

 It Has A Smaller Version I Found With It. Exact Same Just Smaller. Like It Was A 2 Piece Set

Stephanie Franklin Report

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Sharkie
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not sure about the shape but in my country we bake something like a cookie with two pieces of cutters. Always one with a little hole in the middle and one without. You then stick together both pieces with a jam or whatever you prefer and because the cookies are light colour and there is a little red jam showing in the hole, it looks more festive.

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#35

Any Guesses On This One. We Think It Belongs With The Christmas Stuff But Not Sure

Any Guesses On This One. We Think It Belongs With The Christmas Stuff But Not Sure

Christopher Powers Report

#36

Thoughts? I'm Thinking A Dog But Cannot Think Of How To Decorate It

Thoughts? I'm Thinking A Dog But Cannot Think Of How To Decorate It

Danielle Sherman Report

#37

This Came From My Mom & We Have Been Trying To Identify It For Over 20 Years!

This Came From My Mom & We Have Been Trying To Identify It For Over 20 Years!

Heidi Swanson Report

#38

Found This At An Antique Mall In Dahlonega Yesterday ???

Found This At An Antique Mall In Dahlonega Yesterday ???

RockCandy Fan Report

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#39

My Mother Hates This One And Doesn't Let Us Cut Any Cookies With This. Help Me, So I Could Finally Explain Her What It Is And Cut My First Cookie With This After 30 Years

My Mother Hates This One And Doesn't Let Us Cut Any Cookies With This. Help Me, So I Could Finally Explain Her What It Is And Cut My First Cookie With This After 30 Years

Joanna Borysowicz Report

#40

I Was Making Gingerbread Cookies For My Nephews Yesterday And We Were All Trying To Work Out What On Earth This Cutter Is…

I Was Making Gingerbread Cookies For My Nephews Yesterday And We Were All Trying To Work Out What On Earth This Cutter Is…

Hetty Jalapeño McMeerkat Report

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