DIY engraved rolling pin

(gifted item)

You might know from previous videos that my workshop doesn’t have a power source so I use the Ryobi One+ tool range as all their power tools are battery operated. So when they asked me if I fancy having a go with their new rotary tool I was very eager to accept. With its long flexible arm the Ryobi One+ rotary tool looks like it will very easy to use and as comes with 33 accessories for sanding, grinding, polishing, engraving, sculpting it looks very versatile.

I had a little think what I wanted to test it on and thought I will put it through it’s paces by engraving a glass jar/cup. Something I’ve done before for my Crafting with Mason jar book and what was a very fun project to make. While looking for a glass object in my local homeware shop I came across this small rolling pin and immediately thought patterned cookie dough!

I love rollers that have shapes/words cut out in them and think they make such lovely gifts, the cookies or the roller it self. So in preparation for Christmas I thought lets give it a go and see if I can make my own patterned roller.

I love a random abstract shape, lots of my projects seem to involve these at the moment, so why not on this pastry roller too :)

I started by drawing out the shapes on the roller with a pencil, randomly dotted around and different sizes. Don’t go to small or detailed or it will be tricky to cut out and keep as an imprint in your dough.

Insert the engraving bit into the holder of your rotary tool, put on full speed and start cutting your shapes out. You want them to be at least 3 mm deep to have impact on your cookie dough later.

(I would suggest you wear goggles and a dust mask to protect yourself from the saw dust that will be flying around)

When you are happy with your cut outs, wipe away any saw dust left on the roller and check if the roller is smooth. Sand away any rough bits with a fine sandpaper. Now it’s time to start baking!

You want to be using a cookie dough that can hold in imprint while it backs so a dough with a high flour to butter ratio. My own favourite biscuit recipe was a disaster as the imprint just ran away in the oven even though I chilled the cookies before baking. After a little google search I found this recipe by An Italian in my kitchen and it worked brilliantly.

Make sure your dough is cold, if it warms up while working with it pop it back in the fridge for a bit. Keep the rolling pin lightly flowered so the dough doesn’t stick to the wood. Roll your dough out with a normal rolling pin first then roll your engraved pin over the dough in a firm but steady roll.

I love giving a box of cookies as presents, wouldn’t these stamped biscuits make perfect little treats? You could even engrave the persons name, or their favourite items in the roller.

Fair to say I loved using the Ryobi One+ Rotary tool, the long flexible arm makes you hold the tool like a pen and stops your hand from cramping up like my other rotary tool does. I think the rotary tool and will become a staple on my work bench!

To see the full range of tool in the Ryobi One+ range, look here