istoyanov

The photo shows a rosette mold. It is named after the rosette shaped windows in churches. It is used to make Scandinavian fried cookies, a holiday tradition in many homes. You can find these molds through online auctions, gourmet kitchen supply stores, or an internet search for Rosette Timbale. There are dozens of shapes available: rabbits, birds, card suits, trees, stars, snowflakes, and spiders(!) to name a few. Frying them can be a bit tricky at first. If the mold is too hot, the batter fails to stick. If the oil is too cool, the cookies won't crisp properly. Frequently, the batter will adhere too firmly to the mold for the first few cookies, but just scrape it off and try again. As with cast iron skillets, the metal will become seasoned and release the cookies easier with use. The cookies are usually sprinkled with powdered sugar or a cinnamon/sugar mixture. There are many variations to the basic egg/flour/milk recipes. Give it a try; it will make beautiful, delicious cookies.