Fortune Cookies Recipe

Today, we’re making something fun, crispy, and a little magical — fortune cookies! You’ve probably seen them served at the end of a meal in just about every Chinese restaurant in the U.S., each one hiding a tiny slip of paper with a fortune, life advice, or sometimes just a lucky number.

But here’s something you might not expect: before I came to the U.S., I had never seen a fortune cookie in my life! That’s right — despite their strong association with Chinese cuisine in America, fortune cookies aren’t actually a thing in traditional Chinese culture.

So where did they come from? Well, that’s still up for debate. Some say they were invented by a Japanese immigrant in California, while others believe a Chinese immigrant created them right here in the U.S. The true origin remains a mystery — and that’s part of what makes them so intriguing!

In the meantime, let’s roll up our sleeves and make our own batch of these iconic treats. I’ll walk you through the process step-by-step — and yes, I’ll show you how to get those little fortunes inside too.

Serve: 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

Fortune Cookies Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, add the egg white and vanilla extract, and whisk until frothy, 1 minute. Pour in the butter and mix.
2. Sift in the flour, sugar, and salt. Incorporate until it becomes a paste, 30 seconds.
3. Add 1 tablespoon of water at a time until smooth.
4. On a Silpat-lined baking sheet, spread 1 tablespoon of the batter into 4-inch circles. Repeat with another tablespoon of batter.
5. In a preheated oven, bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes until the edges become golden brown.
6. Remove the cookies from the baking sheet, place a fortune slip in the center, fold it in half, and place the flat side on the lip of a glass. Place the fortune cookie in a mini muffin tin until cool.
7. Repeat.