As soon as cookies are cool enough to hold their shape, transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling. Wash cutters thoroughly in warm, sudsy water after use. Dry them carefully. Always preheat the oven for 15 minutes before baking. The initial blast of heat sets the cookies so they don't spread, burn around the edges, or flatten.
Cookies bake best in the middle of the oven.
If the oven rack is too high, the cookies may brown too much. If it is too low, the bottoms may burn. If a cookie doesn't fall easily from the cutter, gently push a pastry brush against the stuck edge. If possible, load each baking sheet with cookies of the same size and thickness. They will bake more evenly.