How to Make Fortune Cookies at Home

Learn to make delicious homemade fortune cookies with this easy step-by-step guide. Perfect for beginners and guaranteed to impress your friends and family!

45 minutes totalMakes 24 cookiesBeginner friendly

Ingredients You'll Need

3 large egg whites

Room temperature works best

3/4 cup white sugar

Granulated sugar

1/2 cup butter, melted

Unsalted butter preferred

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Optional but recommended

1 cup all-purpose flour

Sifted for best results

2 tablespoons water

Room temperature

Pinch of salt

Enhances flavor

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Prepare Your Workspace

5 minutes

Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Prepare your fortune messages by cutting them into strips about 3 inches long and 1/2 inch wide.

Pro Tips:

  • •Have all ingredients at room temperature
  • •Prepare fortunes before you start baking
2

Mix the Batter

5 minutes

In a large bowl, whisk egg whites and sugar until frothy (about 2 minutes). Add melted butter, vanilla, and almond extracts. Mix well until combined.

Pro Tips:

  • •Don't overbeat the egg whites
  • •Make sure butter is cooled slightly before adding
3

Add Dry Ingredients

3 minutes

Gradually add flour, water, and salt to the mixture. Stir until you have a smooth batter with no lumps. The consistency should be similar to thin pancake batter.

Pro Tips:

  • •Sift flour for smoother batter
  • •Mix just until combined to avoid tough cookies
4

Bake the Cookies

15-20 minutes

Drop 1 tablespoon of batter onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them 4 inches apart. Use the back of a spoon to spread into 4-inch circles. Bake for 15-20 minutes until edges are golden brown.

Pro Tips:

  • •Only bake 2-3 cookies at a time
  • •Cookies should be golden but not brown
5

Shape the Cookies (Work Fast!)

30 seconds per cookie

Remove from oven and work quickly while cookies are hot. Place fortune in center, fold cookie in half, then bend over the edge of a bowl or muffin tin to create the classic shape.

Pro Tips:

  • •Work with one cookie at a time
  • •Use oven mitts to protect your hands
  • •If cookie hardens, return to oven for 30 seconds
6

Cool and Store

10 minutes

Place shaped cookies in muffin tin cups to maintain their shape while cooling. Once completely cool, store in airtight containers for up to one week.

Pro Tips:

  • •Cool completely before storing
  • •Add silica gel packets to maintain crispness

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Problem: Cookies are too thick

Solution: Spread the batter thinner on the baking sheet. Use less batter per cookie.

Problem: Cookies crack when folding

Solution: Work faster while cookies are hot, or return to oven for 30 seconds to soften.

Problem: Cookies are too sweet

Solution: Reduce sugar to 1/2 cup and add a pinch more salt for balance.

Problem: Batter is too thick

Solution: Add water 1 teaspoon at a time until you reach the right consistency.

Secrets to Perfect Fortune Cookies

Timing is Everything

The key to successful fortune cookies is working quickly while they're hot. Have your fortunes ready and work with only 2-3 cookies at a time.

Temperature Matters

Keep your oven at exactly 300°F. Too hot and the cookies will brown too quickly; too cool and they won't set properly.

Practice Makes Perfect

Don't worry if your first few cookies aren't perfect. The shaping technique takes practice, but even imperfect cookies taste great!

Custom Messages

Make your fortune cookies extra special by writing personalized messages. Keep them short, positive, and meaningful to your recipients.