Homemade Fortune Cookies (+Printable Fortunes & Takeout Box) (2024)

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Everything you need to create custom homemade fortune cookies: cookie recipe and step-by-step instructions, printable fortunes, and even an adorable, easy-to-make Takeout Box!

Homemade Fortune Cookies (+Printable Fortunes & Takeout Box) (1)
Jump to:
  • What Goes into this Recipe
  • How to Prepare the Fortunes
  • How to Make the Fortune Cookies
  • How to Make a Take-out Box
  • Related Recipes
  • Homemade Fortune Cookie Recipe

No matter how old you are, the moment when you crack open a fortune cookie still holds a little magic, and personalized fortune cookies are a great way to sayI Love You!

Homemade fortune cookies are perfect for birthdays, Valentine's Day, anniversaries, or any time you want to give someone a little something special.

What Goes into this Recipe

Fortune Cookies are made with a simple list of common ingredients.

  • Butter: If you use salted butter, you can leave out the added salt in the recipe.
  • Egg whites
  • Sugar
  • Heavy Cream
  • Flavorings & Seasonings: almond extract, vanilla & salt

This post also includes everything you need to create custom fortune cookies, including printable fortunes and an adorable, easy-to-make Takeout Box!

  • Fortune Cookie recipe & step-by-step instructions
  • Printable Valentine's Day fortunes
  • Chinese Takeout box DIY (akaOyster Pail)

How to Prepare the Fortunes

Personalized fortune cookies are perfect for kids, friends, family, teachers, and anyone else you want to surprise!

It is vital that you prepare the fortunesbeforeyou bake the cookies.You will not have time to do it when they come out of the oven!

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Below are plenty ofprintable fortunes for your sweetheart, plus a page full of blanks for you to personalize!

TIP:Look to your favorite songs for fast fortune-writing.

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How to Make the Fortune Cookies

Following the fortune cookie recipe below, it will take about 40 minutes to make 24 cookies. (Add about 15 minutes plus cooling time if you want to dip them in chocolate.)

IMPORTANT:No matter how crafty you are,planon a few broken cookies. They are going to happen –accept it.It’s OK though – just dip them in chocolate and enjoy.

Before you make the first cookie:

Preheat oven to 375°F [190°C].

Gather your materials:you will need a cookie sheet, a silpat mat or parchment paper, a cutting board, a coffee mug, and a muffin tin.

Mix the batter

In a blender or mixer, combine egg whites and sugar. Beat for one minute, and then add flour and salt and beat another 30 seconds. (I do this all in my blender.)

Add melted butter, heavy cream, and vanilla and almond extracts and beat until mixed.

Bake the Cookies

Be sure to have everything ready before you put the first cookie in the oven. (I know I already said this. I’m saying it again.)

Spoon 1 tablespoon of dough onto silicone baking sheet or parchment paper. (I use a Silpat sheet.)

Spread batter with the back of a spoon into a thin 4-5 inch circle.

Start by making 2 circles at a time. (I don’t ever do more than 3 at a time.) DO NOT try to make more than 3 or 4 cookies at a time, no matter how awesome you are. It won’t work. Really.

Bake for 5-6 minutes, or until the edges are very lightly browned. Remove from the oven.

Homemade Fortune Cookies (+Printable Fortunes & Takeout Box) (4)

These cookies are HOT when the come out of the oven.(Can a get a “Duh”?) You can wear non-cotton gloves if you want, but I find that very cumbersome. Instead, I use my fingernail to peel the cookie off the Silpat sheet, and then handle them gingerly with the tips of my fingers. Either way, you have been warned.

Fill & Form the Cookies

Immediatelytake one cookie and place it on a wooden cutting board. Keep bottom (the side that was "down" while cooking) down.

Place a fortune in the middle of the cookie and fold in half.

Place the middle of the flat side over the edge of a coffee mug.

Pull the corners down to shape.

Homemade Fortune Cookies (+Printable Fortunes & Takeout Box) (5)

If your cookies cool too fast, 15-30 seconds back in the oven will soften them… a little.

Immediately place the formed cookie into a muffin cup and allow it to cool completely.

Homemade Fortune Cookies (+Printable Fortunes & Takeout Box) (6)

OPTIONAL: Dip cooled cookies in melted chocolate and decorate with festive sprinkles!

Wait until the cookies are completely cool before attempting to dip them in chocolate. This just makes sense, but some people try to rush the process. Don’t be one of them.

How to Make a Take-out Box

NOTE: One takeout box will take the seasoned crafter about 5 minutes (and those with four thumbs about 15 minutes).

Print out theChinese Takeout Box pattern. Be sure to hit “fit for page” before you print.

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Trace the pattern onto the back of a piece of heavy scrapbooking paper or cardstock.

Use scissors to cut along the SOLID BLACK lines.

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Valley fold along the DOTTED BLUE lines. - In avalley fold,the crease is at the bottom and the paper isfoldedforward into itself. The paper should form a "V" when you unfold.

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Mountain fold along the SOLID ORANGE lines. Amountain foldis the opposite of a valley fold. The paperfoldsto the opposite side.

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Expert Tips & FAQs

Color Code your cookies!

Chocolate and sprinkles aren't just for fun! You can use them to avoid fortune-awkwardness (like giving your daughter a fortune that says "You are my Knight in Shining Armor").

Use different sprinkle combinations for your Sweetheart, kids, friends, etc. (If you choose to leave them plain, you're on your own.)

Make the fortunes before you start the cookies.

This bears repeating: It is vital that you prepare the fortunesbeforeyou bake the cookies.You will not have time to do it when they come out of the oven.

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Where did fortune cookies originate?

Fortune cookies as we know them originated in somewhere California, most likely introduced by Japanese immigrants to the United States in the late 19th or early 20th century.

(For more about the background of these unique treats, check out The History of Fortune Cookies.)

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5 from 1 vote

Homemade Fortune Cookie Recipe

Easy, step-by-step directions for how to make homemade fortune cookies from scratch. Perfect for Valentines Day, or any time you want to give someone a little something special.

Print Pin Add to Shopping List

Course: Sweets

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegetarian

Prep Time:35 minutes minutes

Cook Time:5 minutes minutes

Total Time:40 minutes minutes

Servings: 24 Cookies

Calories: 74kcal

Author: Renee

Equipment

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

  • 5 tablespoons butter melted
  • 4 large egg whites
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 1 cup all-purpose
  • teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
Optional:

Instructions

Before you make the first cookie:

  • Be sure to prepare the fortunes before you bake the cookies. You will not have time to do it when they come out of the oven!

  • Gather your tools:you will need a cookie sheet, a Silpat mat or parchment paper, a coffee mug, and a muffin tin.

  • Print out and cut fortunes.

    Be sure to do this before you bake the cookies. You will not have time to do it when they come out of the oven!

Mixing the batter:

  • In a blender or mixer, combine egg whites and sugar.

    Beat for about a minute, and then add flour and salt and beat another 30 seconds. (I do this all in my blender.)

  • Add melted butter, heavy cream, and vanilla and almond extracts and beat until mixed.

Making the cookies:

  • Spoon 1 tablespoon of dough onto silicone baking sheet or parchment paper. (I use a Silpat sheet.)

    Spread batter with the back of a spoon into a thin 4-5 inch circle.

    Start by making 2 circles at a time. (I don’t ever do more than 3 at a time.)

  • Bake for 5-6 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned.

  • Remove from the oven.

    Immediately take one cookie and place it on a wooden cutting board.

    Keep bottom (the side that was "down" while cooking) down.

  • Place a fortune in the middle of the cookie and fold in half.

    Place the middle of the flat side over the edge of a coffee mug.

    Pull the corners down to shape.

  • Immediately place the formed cookie into a muffin cup and allow it to cool completely.

  • Repeat process until all the batter has been used.

Notes

  • No matter how crafty you are,planon a few broken cookies. They are going to happen –accept it.It’s OK though – just dip them in chocolate and enjoy.
  • Be sure to have everything ready before you put the first cookie in the oven. I know I already said this. I’m saying it again.
  • Cookies are HOT when the come out of the oven. (Can a get a “Duh”?) You can wear non-cotton gloves if you want, but I find that very cumbersome. Instead, I use my fingernail to peel the cookie off the Silpat sheet, and then handle them gingerly with the tips of my fingers. Either way, you have been warned.
  • DO NOT try to make more than 3 or 4 cookies at a time, no matter how awesome you are. It won’t work. Really.
  • If your cookies cool too fast, 15-30 seconds back in the oven will soften them… a little.
  • Wait until the cookies are completely cool before attempting to dip them. This just makes sense, but some people try to rush the process. Don’t be one of them.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 74kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 42mg | Potassium: 14mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 100IU | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.

Have you tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

Homemade Fortune Cookies (+Printable Fortunes & Takeout Box) (2024)

FAQs

Are fortune cookies true answers? ›

As for predicting the future, no, fortune cookies don't have special powers of foresight. The fortune cookie you open at a Chinese restaurant came into your hands randomly. If it happens to contain a fortune that comes true, it's just coincidence. Besides, many fortunes don't even predict the future.

What are good fortunes to put in fortune cookies? ›

Fortune Cookie Sayings
  • Do not be afraid of competition.
  • An exciting opportunity lies ahead of you.
  • You love peace.
  • Get your mind set… ...
  • You will always be surrounded by true friends.
  • Sell your ideas-they have exceptional merit.
  • You should be able to undertake and complete anything.
  • You are kind and friendly.

How do they get the notes in fortune cookies? ›

Answer. The cookies are baked as flat circles. After they are removed from the oven, slips of paper are folded inside while the cookies are still warm and flexible. As the fortune cookies cool, they harden into shape.

Has anyone won the lottery from a fortune cookie? ›

A North Carolina veteran turned a restaurant meal into a Mega Millions jackpot after he used the numbers from his fortune cookie to win a $4 million prize. Gabriel Fierro and his wife eat at the Red Bowl Asian Bistro in Charlotte, N.C., about once a week, according to the NC Education Lottery.

What are the luckiest numbers in fortune cookies? ›

This will give you a better chance at winning the lottery

The six numbers in FORTUNE COOKIES associated with the most winners are: 4, 14, 15, 22, 26 and 28.

What are good fortunes to write for adults? ›

688 fortunes
  • Don't hold onto things. that require a tight grip.
  • I didn't come this far. to only come this far. ...
  • Vulnerability sounds like faith. and looks like courage. ...
  • And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul. ...
  • Do it scared. ...
  • Look how far you've come.
  • Each time you break your own. ...
  • Sitting in silence with you.

What is an empty fortune cookie mean? ›

7) if there is no fortune in a fortune cookie, it is a sign that something good will happen to you soon. And by chance, if you've ever had a cookie that contained 2 fortunes, they cancel each other out and you grab another cookie and that fortune will come true.

What fortunes to put in a cootie catcher? ›

Here are some light-hearted and positive fortunes to consider:
  • "You'll have a day filled with laughter and joy."
  • "A surprise awaits you around the corner!"
  • "Smiles are contagious; spread some today!"
  • "Good news is heading your way very soon."
  • "You will make a new friend who'll brighten your day."
Sep 17, 2015

Can you make custom fortune cookies? ›

We offer up to 5 custom messages for orders of 100 cookies or more. Additional fortune messages can be added at extra cost by clicking on this link. For multiple fortunes: Add each fortune message as a separate set of cookies.

How rare is a blank fortune cookie? ›

Therefore, in my experience, the probability is less than 1 in 8640 of a cookie with no fortune.

Do you have to eat the fortune cookie for it to work? ›

“Some people read the fortune and then eat the cookie, but I have to eat the whole cookie before I can read the fortune,” Luman said. “It”s just a family superstition. The fortune won”t work unless you do it that way.”

What is the note inside a fortune cookie called? ›

A fortune cookie is a crisp and sugary cookie wafer made from flour, sugar, vanilla, and sesame seed oil with a piece of paper inside, a "fortune", an aphorism, or a vague prophecy.

How much do you get paid to write fortune cookies? ›

How much does a Fortune Cookie Writer make? As of Apr 3, 2024, the average hourly pay for a Fortune Cookie Writer in the United States is $38.94 an hour.

Are fortune cookies notes real? ›

Are Fortune Cookies True? Fortune cookies are true, but not in the way many people think. The message on the paper isn't going to magically come true because you've opened it. But instead, you can see it as the right message at the right time.

Will your fortune come true if you don't eat the cookie? ›

There are many superstitions when it comes to eating fortune cookies. Some people claim that you must eat the whole cookie in order for the fortune to come true or, if the fortune is ill fated, that you cannot eat any of the cookie or the bad fortune will come true.

Are fortune cookies actually cookies? ›

Chinese fortune cookies, as they are known in the Western world, typically feature short messages or "fortunes" enclosed within a crisp, sweet biscuit. It's important to note that fortune cookies are not a traditional Chinese dessert but rather an invention of Chinese immigrants in the United States.

Are you supposed to read fortune cookies? ›

THE instructions on the red wrapper are very explicit: (1) Open the packaging. (2) Use both hands to break open the fortune cookie. (3) Retrieve and read the fortune. (4) Eat the cookie.

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