If a recipe calls for cookie press does one have to be used?

No, a cookie press is not absolutely necessary for making cookies. You can definitely make delicious cookies without one!

Here are some alternatives:

* Spoon or Ice Cream Scoop: Use a spoon or ice cream scoop to drop spoonfuls of dough onto the baking sheet.

* Piping Bag: Fill a piping bag with cookie dough and pipe out shapes onto the baking sheet.

* Roll and Cut: Roll out the cookie dough on a lightly floured surface and use cookie cutters to cut out shapes.

* Freehand: Simply use your hands to form the dough into desired shapes.

While a cookie press is great for creating intricate designs and uniform cookies, it's not a must-have tool for baking.