A "cookie cutter" is a tool used in baking to cut dough into specific shapes, often for cookies. Typically made of metal or plastic, it comes in various designs, such as stars, hearts, or holiday-themed shapes. Bakers roll out the dough and press the cookie cutter into it, creating uniform pieces that can be decorated and baked. In a broader context, the term "cookie cutter" is also used metaphorically to describe something that is standardized or lacking in originality. For example, a "cookie cutter" approach in business might refer to a strategy that is applied uniformly across different situations without customization, similar to how cookie shapes are made from the same mold.