Homemade fortune cookies are a delightful and fun treat that add a personal touch to any gathering or meal. These crispy, slightly sweet cookies with a hidden message inside are a classic at Chinese restaurants, but making them at home allows you to add your own creative spin. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want to try something new in the kitchen, homemade fortune cookies are sure to impress your friends and family.
To make homemade fortune cookies, you start with a simple batter made from egg whites, sugar, vanilla extract, and a little flour. The batter is spread thinly onto a baking sheet in small circles, which are then baked in the oven until they become golden and crispy. As the cookies bake, they need to be handled quickly once they come out of the oven, as they cool down fast and will harden quickly.
After baking, the cookies are gently removed from the baking sheet and placed on a flat surface. At this point, a fortune (written on a small piece of paper) is placed in the center of each cookie. The cookie is then folded in half while it’s still soft, and the edges are gently pinched together to form the classic fortune cookie shape.
The most important part of making homemade fortune cookies is the message inside! You can use traditional fortunes or get creative and write your own personal notes, inspirational quotes, or even fun predictions. It’s a great way to surprise your guests and make each cookie feel unique.
Once they’ve cooled and set, homemade fortune cookies are ready to be enjoyed. They’re crisp, light, and slightly sweet, with a fun twist of fortune-filled surprise inside. You can even dip the edges in melted chocolate or sprinkle them with colorful sprinkles for an added festive touch.
Homemade fortune cookies are perfect for themed parties, special celebrations, or as a sweet end to a Chinese-inspired meal. They’re not only delicious but also a great conversation starter, as everyone wonders what their fortune will be. Make a batch today, and add a little magic to your next gathering!
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
- 2 large egg whites room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour sifted
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together melted butter, egg whites, vanilla extract, almond extract, and water until well mixed.
- Gently fold in the flour, sugar, and salt until just combined, making sure there are no lumps.
- Drop a tablespoon of batter onto the prepared baking sheet and spread into a thin 4-inch circle. Repeat, spacing cookies at least 3 inches apart.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown.
- Quickly remove one cookie at a time from the tray, place a fortune in the center, and fold in half. Then bend the edges towards each other to form the shape of a fortune cookie.
- Place the shaped cookies into a muffin tin to cool and hold their shape. Repeat with remaining cookies.
- Once cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container to keep them crisp.
Nutrition
I never thought I could make fortune cookies at home, but this recipe was super easy! My kids loved them!
Fortune cookies are so fun! I felt like a real chef when I made these. 😂
I used coconut oil instead of butter and they came out fine. Still not the best though. But hey, worth trying.
It was ok but the almond flavor was too strong for me. I’ll try it again without it next time.
I don’t know about this one. My cookies turned out flat and didn’t taste very good. Maybe I did something wrong?
These cookies are amazing! I never thought making fortune cookies at home could be this easy. Thanks for the recipe! 🍪💖
I totally agree! These are super easy and fun to make. My family loved them! 🤗
Uh, isn’t this kinda a cheap dessert? Just flour and sugar? Who even eats them for real? I’ll pass.
Sounds easy but who eats these?? I thought they were just for Chinese takeout. Not something I would make at home. 🤷♂️
Honestly, I think fortune cookies are fun! They’re not for everyone, but they have a certain charm. You can dress them up too! Don’t knock it till you try it!
My grandma made these better, they had real chocolate in them! Also, why do cookies need fortunes anyway?
I get what you mean! Real chocolate would definitely make them better. But hey, the fortunes are what make them fun! 🙃
Super fun to make with the kids! They loved putting in their own fortunes. 😄