Sugar Dot Surveys: Tools for Controlling Dough Thickness

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Welcome to Sugar Dot Surveys! Every other month, I'll be posting a survey to gather your input on a specific cookie or business topic. Once the survey ends, I'll compile the results and write a summary post here on Cookie Connection. (You can read my last survey recap here.)

There's so much that we can learn from each other!

Please share this survey with your cookie friends around the globe so that we can get input from as many cookiers as possible! I plan to start compiling results on February 3, so be sure to answer this survey before then.

Let's get started! I'd like to find out how thick you roll your dough. I'd also like to know if you use any tools to help achieve a consistent thickness. If you do use a particular tool, I'd like to know what it is and why. What are the pros and cons of using that tool?

Thank you in advance for participating! And have fun!

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS (PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU TAKE THE SURVEY!)
(1) The open-ended (write-in) responses below are limited to 255 characters. If you run out of space on any question, feel free to elaborate in the comments area under this survey, but please identify the question (by number) to which you're responding.
(2) Unfortunately, our survey software will not allow you to skip questions. You must answer every one, or the system won't accept any of your responses. If a question does not apply to you, simply select "N/A" (not applicable) in multiple choice questions or write "N/A" in fill-in-the-blank questions. Thanks!

ADDENDUM (March 16, 2019): Read the recap article summarizing these survey results here.

Q1. How thick do you most often roll your cookie dough for regular decorated cookies (i.e., not cookie pops, 3-D pieces, etc.)?

1/8" (~ 3.2 mm)

3/16" (i.e., between 1/8" and 1/4", ~ 4.8 mm)

1/4" (~ 6.3 mm)

3/8" (i.e., between 1/4" and 1/2", ~9.5 mm)

1/2" (~12.7 mm)

5/8" (~15.9 mm)

I don't measure. It is what it is.

Other

Q2. Do you use any type of tool (or tools) to ensure that you get an accurate and/or consistent thickness?

This tool could be absolutely anything, i.e., a special rolling pin, dough board, rolling guides, etc.

Yes, always

Yes, though only occasionally (or under particular circumstances)

No, very rarely or never

Q4. If the tool you most often use (mentioned in Q3) is store-bought, what is its name/brand? If you use handmade guides or a handmade board, briefly describe what you use and how it was made, following the specific examples below.

If you use handmade guides, what do you use and how many? (For example: Two paint stirrers on top of each other.)

If you use a handmade board, how was it made? (For example: A store-bought cutting board with paint sticks glued/nailed to it.)

Again, for all other store-bought tools, please list the name/brand that you use.

If you answered "N/A - I don't use any tool" to Q3, type "N/A" here too.

Your Opinion Required

Q5. What do you like most about the tool you most often use?

If you answered "N/A - I don't use any tool" to Q3, answer "N/A" here too.

Your Opinion Required

Q6. What, if anything, don't you like about the tool you most often use? What improvements would you like to see made to this tool?

If you like everything about it or you answered "N/A - I don't use any tool" to Q3, answer "N/A" here too.

Your Opinion Required

Q7. If, in Q2, you said you "very rarely" or "never" use a tool to control dough thickness, why don't you use any tool for this purpose? Do you use any other special dough handling or rolling techniques instead to ensure a uniform thickness (i.e., freezing your dough, rotating the dough while rolling, etc.)?

If this question does not apply to you, enter "N/A". Otherwise, elaborate here! If you run out of space, please continue in the comments area under this survey, but please identify the question (by number) to which you're responding.

Your Opinion Required

Q8. If, in Q2, you said you "only occasionally" use a tool (or only use one under particular circumstances), please explain why you don't use this tool more regularly and the particular circumstances under which you DO use that tool?

Your Opinion Required

Q9. How long have you been decorating cookies?

Less than 1 year

1 - 2 years

3 - 5 years

6 - 10 years

More than 10 years

Q11. Which description(s) below best characterize(s) your current participation in cookie decorating?

Select only the options that best apply, and only select "Other" if you do not see yourself already described!

Hobbyist

Professional who makes and sells cookies from home

Professional who makes and sells cookies in a brick-and-mortar establishment outside of the home

Professional who makes cookies for instructional purposes (i.e., classes, online videos, etc.)

Professional who designs and/or sells cookie-decorating products

Other

Q12. If you answered that you sell cookies in Q11, which response below best describes your average weekly production/sales level?

Less than 50 cookies per week

50 - 100 cookies per week

101 - 200 cookies per week

201- 500 cookies per week

More than 500 cookies per week

N/A - I don't sell my cookies

Other

Q13. Do you have a photo of your tool (in action) that you would be willing to share with us? We would love to use your photos in our survey recap.

Please send your photo to Dotty through a private message here on Cookie Connection. Let Dotty know: (1) the name/brand of your tool and (2) how to credit your photo if it's chosen for the recap. Dotty will need your first and last name, as well as your business name and a link to your site (if applicable). Thanks!

Yes, I'll send a photo to you! :)

No, sorry :(

Posted by SugarDotCookies · 1/19/198:25 PM