Throughout final yr’s vacation season, folks began popping right into a baking discussion board on Reddit with two million members to share a photograph and ask a burning query: What on earth is that this cookie cutter speculated to be?
The earnest solutions typically helped clear up the bakers’ confusion. Rapidly, nevertheless, the posts started surfacing so typically that one member created a subreddit devoted to untangling such cookie-cutter mysteries.
The discussion board on Reddit is known as r/WhatIsMyCookieCutter, and its reputation — membership surged this fall to greater than 250,000 folks — says one thing about baking. With out packaging or directions, the form of a cookie cutter picked up at a secondhand retailer or rescued from the recesses of a silverware drawer may be onerous to interpret. Is it meant to be a reindeer? A dinosaur? The state of Wyoming?
On r/WhatIsMyCookieCutter, there are not any incorrect solutions. As extra members arrived, the group advanced right into a self-contained world of inside jokes and working gags. Others reply to queries by importing renderings of what a cookie cutter could be, typically utilizing a drawing and portray app like Procreate to sketch out their whimsical and colourful solutions.
Over time, these drawings turned as a lot the main focus of the subreddit as answering questions in regards to the shapes. One particular person finds a rose in each cookie cutter. One other sees nothing however pineapples. Lately, the invoice from the “I’m Only a Invoice’ section on “Schoolhouse Rock!” has made cameo appearances.
“Within the early days, there was a really particular objective for this sub, which was to determine the shapes of the extra distinctive cookie cutters on the market,” mentioned Tes Reilly of Washington, D.C., an avid cookie decorator and considered one of seven present moderators of the subreddit. “It was sensible.”
Now, “persons are not right here as a result of they’re avid customers of cookie cutters with urgent questions,” Ms. Reilly, a doctoral candidate in media psychology, added, “however as a result of the drawings are hilarious, the within jokes are comforting, the perspective is all the time constructive and regardless of its measurement or kind, it’s a very actual, very significant group.”
One spent a lot time discovering a method to attract the state of Wyoming into nearly each form posted that she felt obligated to subject a proper farewell final month when the subreddit turned an excessive amount of of a distraction. “I’m saddened to announce that I gained’t be doing any extra Wyoming posts,” she wrote. “However I’ll undoubtedly nonetheless go to.” The submit acquired 1000’s of upvotes and lots of of feedback.
One other drew a rose in so many cookie cutter shapes that the picture turned one thing of a logo for the group, inspiring bakers to recreate it of their icing designs. “In honor of our particular pal,” one submit reads, accompanied by 9 cookies, all adorned with icing to appear to be the flower.
“Reddit and Reddit customers typically get a nasty rep on different social media platforms, however this subreddit proves simply how healthful customers may be,” mentioned Angelina Cannon, who lives in Middlesex County, N.J. Ms. Cannon mentioned that she didn’t have a lot baking expertise, however that she was drawn to the subreddit after following comparable identification boards, corresponding to r/WhatIsThisThing.
“I actually wasn’t anticipating all of the artwork once I joined, nevertheless it undoubtedly saved me ,” she mentioned.
There are just a few guidelines, No. 1 being that each submit should be cookie-cutter associated; one other prohibits the sale of cookie cutters. The moderators strive to not stifle creativity or enjoyable, aiming to keep up a spirited ambiance.
“I’ve been a part of some communities the place the moderators are too onerous or strict,” mentioned Garyn Greene of Ohio, who not too long ago joined the group’s moderation crew after noticing the subreddit’s rising reputation. “I like ensuring it’s regardless of the group needs it to be.”
Even with the self-referential jokes, open-ended guidelines and rising sense of camaraderie, the subreddit nonetheless serves its authentic objective. Final month, for instance, a baker posted a photograph of the one cookie cutter that they had but to determine from a set. Individuals populated the feedback with drawings of a giraffe, a “examine engine” mild and, after all, a pineapple. A stitching machine, many had been shocked to study, was the appropriate reply.
Not everybody appreciates the flip the group has taken, however there have been few unfavourable feedback, in response to the moderators. To maintain folks engaged, there are plans for contests and on-line occasions.
Whether or not you see roses in a Christmas tree or Wyoming in a circle, Ms. Reilly mentioned, there may be one factor that everybody can agree on this vacation season: “I imply, who doesn’t love cookies?”