Non-stick Walnut Cookie (Oreshek) Maker 9 Big

Is good material

Not sure what material this is made from but paint was coming off of it and I had to return it.

Out of the box, we were surprised as to the configuration of this cookie pan. While we had seen the pictures on Amazon, we had not appreciated that the cookie pan is much like a waffle maker from the perspective that the cookie pan opens like a clamshell. The interior of the cookie pan is non-stick, which is an absolute must because otherwise the cookies would stick, just like old waffle makers.Next up was making the cookies. The non-stick surface can be treated with a light coating of oil before adding the cookie dough. The manufacturer recommends heating the cookie pan before adding the dough. We used the cookie pan on a gas stove, and it worked well.If the cookies are properly cooked, the cookies are crisp on the outside. Traditional oreshki cookies are typically filled with some kind of filling. For example, dulce de leche can be combined with butter, cream cheese, and vanilla extract to make a filling that almost looks like peanut butter. After filling, two cookie halves can be adhered to each other to make a whole walnut cookie.The cookies are a bit crunchy on the outside but sweet. Indeed, some cooks include walnuts to help reduce the sweetness. The only challenge with these cookies is avoiding eating too many of them. They are small and best when fresh, so it is tempting to gobble down a bunch of them, which is probably not a very good idea.The only issue we have with this cookie pan is that the pan will only cook nine cookie halves at a time. It can take a while to cook what the manufacturer alleged to be a whole batch. Next time we might make only a half batch because there are too many cookies for the two of us. On the other hand, a whole batch could be perfect when the grandkids come over. Then we send them back to mom and dad with a sugar high!Our assessment of value is below average for two reasons. First, there are electric walnut cookie makers for the same price, and the size of the cookie makers is similar to the size of this stovetop version. Second, some reviewers have noted that this cookie pan has quality issues. So, buying a non-stick cookie pan only to have it not close properly or well (though we did not have that problem), or to have the non-stick coating flake off (another reported problem that we did not have) is not something that would commend a pan to us.Our overall rating is four stars. Mainly because we are unsure of how well built this product is. Others have had quality issues, and that makes us apprehensive that after a few uses we may see issues. Until then, we are making walnut cookies.Enjoy!

Nut shells came out perfect!

On the plus side you will be able to make something resembling cookies from my childhood; however, shells come out thick and product severely lacks in quality.The first thing I noticed when I unwrapped this item (yes, unwrapped, not unpacked. For $30+ the item comes wrapped in plastic wrap without any box) was how poor the quality was. You can see rough aluminum from the low tech manufacturing, hinges are not rivets but pieces of wire doubled up and cut with very sharp edges, there is an overspray of black non-stick coating all over the mold, the inside of the mold has scratches in the non-stick coating, and one of the shell molds is rough inside preventing cookies from releasing easily. Overall, the build quality is very poor. This would be expected if you were to ask your friend with a sand box and a way to melt aluminum to cast you such form as a copy of a nicely manufactured one. It doesn't seem like people building these forms take any pride in the work they do.Anyway, I made cookies using this form and it worked OK, but the form is not well engineered with large tolerances which makes shells too thick. We occasionally buy walnut shaped cookies from a local Russian bakery and my son and wife like them, so I decided to make these cookies myself to surprise them. Cookies made in this form have a significantly thicker shell than the ones we get from the bakery and the ones I remember from when I was little. Also one of the shells indentations of the form is rough inside and although all other shells release fine after cooking, the cookie in this place would always had to be pulled out, which is annoying because shells are hot.Overall, cookies were mostly a sucsess, and everyone liked them, but who doesn't like cookies? Still, I would recommend searching for a better quality tool if possible.

I found this item very confusing as I had never tried one before. I love to bake and I love to make new cultural foods. This little (and it is little) item had directions that could have been written in Klingon as it made very little sense. Whoever translated the instructions into English did not have a good grasp of the language. I am saying this because if you are a first time user the instructions are VERY IMPORTANT. It talks about baking but you cannot put the skillet in the oven. I am not objecting so much to the conversion of Centigrade to Fahrenheit temps but the rest of the recipe talks about glasses of flour. Does that mean cups? Not being able to follow the instruction you are on your own and can only experiment and hope for the best. The item itself is very sturdy and heavy as a small iron skillet. The handles are made of strong wood and the item is not hard to clean. I would not put this in the dishwasher. I am on a search to find some better instructions because making these little pastries intrigues me..

I've never made Oreshek cookies before, but have always wanted to. Once I saw this pan, I figured it was time! I was a little apprehensive once I saw the pan but it cooked the little walnut-shaped cookies perfectly. Even better, once they were cooked all I had to do was open the pan and they fell right out onto the plate - completely non-stick. I LOVE it! I used on a glass stovetop.The pan came with a little instructional paper that included tips for washing and using the pan as well as a recipe for walnut cookies. I didn't use that recipe because I had already found one online that I wanted to try first. But I might try it next. I included pictures - remember it was my first time to make these!! Be kind! LOL!Pictured on the back of the instructions/recipe were pictures of two other types of pans - one had little cute mushroom shapes! I might have to go looking for that one next! Great product and fun to use!