Fortune Cookies

Fortune Cookies are fun, crispy, and carry a little surprise inside — a tiny slip of wisdom, luck, or life advice! While they’re served in nearly every Chinese restaurant across the U.S., they’re actually not a traditional Chinese treat. In fact, before I came to the U.S., I had never even seen one!

Despite their strong American-Chinese identity, the true origins of fortune cookies are still a mystery. Some say they were created by a Japanese immigrant in California, others say a Chinese-American baker first made them. Either way, they’ve become an iconic part of the dining experience — and making them at home is easier and more fun than you might think!

Let’s roll up our sleeves and make a batch of these delightful cookies from scratch — complete with your own fortunes inside.

Recipe

Serves: 10
Prep time: 40 minutes
Cook time: 50 minutes

Ingredients:
2 large egg whites
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons water

Instructions

1. Make the batter:

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk the egg whites and vanilla extract until frothy, about 1 minute.
• Add the melted butter and mix until incorporated.
• Sift in the flour, sugar, and salt. Stir to form a thick paste, about 30 seconds.
• Add water, one tablespoon at a time, until the batter is smooth and spreadable.

2. Bake the cookies:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• On a Silpat-lined baking sheet, spoon 1 tablespoon of batter and spread it into a thin, 4-inch circle.
• Repeat with another tablespoon of batter, making just 2 cookies at a time to ensure you have time to shape them while hot.
• Bake for 10 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown.

3. Shape and fold:

• Working quickly, remove each cookie from the baking sheet using a spatula.
• Place a fortune slip in the center, fold the cookie in half like a taco, then bend the folded edge over the rim of a glass to form the fortune cookie shape.
• Transfer to a mini muffin tin to help hold the shape as it cools and hardens.

4. Repeat:

• Continue baking and shaping cookies in small batches until all the batter is used.

Tips & notes

• Work fast: Fortune cookies harden quickly after baking. Only bake 2–3 at a time so you have time to fold them while they’re still warm and pliable.
• Custom fortunes: Print or handwrite tiny messages, jokes, or advice on thin strips of paper (about 2.5″ x 0.5″).
• Use a Silpat: A silicone baking mat makes it much easier to lift the cookies off the pan without tearing.
• Shape with tools: The edge of a glass or bowl helps create the classic fortune cookie curve.
• Storage: Once fully cooled, store cookies in an airtight container to keep them crisp for up to 5 days.