About the Recipe
There’s something especially joyful about treats that come with a hidden surprise — whether it’s the nutty filling tucked inside my Honeynut Macarons, the playful peekaboo centers of my Swiss Spitzbuebe Cookies, or the caramelized crunch of a Homemade Palmier that shatters just right with each bite. These homemade fortune cookies follow that same spirit: crisp little shells that crack open to reveal a personal message, whether silly, sweet, or meaningful.
I started making these as a fun way to brighten up school lunches for my girls — a thoughtful twist on the usual note-in-the-bag. Tucked into each cookie is a personalized fortune, making them feel like more than just dessert. And once you get the hang of folding them, they come together quickly.
Best of all, they’re endlessly customizable: add a splash of color to the batter, dip the edges in melted chocolate, or decorate with sprinkles for a festive touch. Whether you're making them for a birthday, a holiday, or just because, these cookies are a sweet reminder that sometimes the smallest gestures bring the biggest smiles.
A Thoughtful Surprise – These aren’t just cookies—they’re tiny edible envelopes for personalized notes, affirmations, or jokes. Perfect for lunchboxes, birthdays, or holidays.
Customizable & Creative – Add food coloring, chocolate dips, sprinkles, or flavored extracts (think orange blossom or cocoa!) to match any occasion or mood.
Crispy, Delicate Texture – Thin and golden with a satisfying snap, just like the classic restaurant version—but even better because they’re homemade.
Fun to Make with Kids – Folding them takes a little practice, but it’s a great hands-on project for kids and adults alike.
Perfect for Gifting – Pack a few in a clear bag or box with a ribbon for a whimsical, heartfelt gift that’s sure to make someone smile.
What You'll Love
How do I get the fortune inside without breaking the cookie?As soon as the cookie comes out of the oven, work quickly while it’s still warm and pliable. Place the paper fortune in the center, fold the cookie in half, and gently bend the rounded edge over a cup or edge of a bowl to get the signature shape.
Can I make these in advance?Yes! Fortune cookies store beautifully. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Humidity can make them soft, so make sure they’re well sealed.
What paper should I use for the fortunes? Use regular printer paper cut into thin strips. Avoid glossy or coated paper (like magazine paper) and don’t use ink that smudges.
Can I add flavors to the batter? Absolutely. Almond extract is classic, but vanilla, citrus zest, cocoa powder, or even a pinch of matcha or chai spice can make them extra special.
How many can I bake at once? Stick to 2–3 per baking sheet at a time. They set quickly and you’ll need to fold them fast—any more and they’ll cool before you can shape them.
Are these the same as traditional Chinese fortune cookies? Not quite! While fortune cookies are often associated with Chinese cuisine, they actually originated in the U.S. These are inspired by the same style—light, crisp cookies with a hidden message—but made with real butter for extra flavor and a tender crunch.
Can I make them gluten-free? Yes, they work well with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, though the texture may be slightly more delicate. Be extra gentle during shaping.
Frequently asked Questions
Ingredients
100g egg whites (about 3 large)
150g granulated sugar (¾ cup)
113g unsalted butter, melted (½ cup)
1g vanilla extract (¼ tsp)
1g almond extract (¼ tsp)
45g water (3 tbsp)
90g all-purpose flour (¾ cup)
1g salt (pinch)
Preparation
I just love how quickly and easily these fun cookies come together. The only tricky part about them is the final stages of shaping them as the cookies need to be handled while freshly baked and still quite hot from the oven. But since you will only need to handle two to three at a time, you can give your fingers a rest in between. The end result is fully worth it in my opinion.
Begin by separating your eggs and beating the egg whites until stiff peaks form. You will not be needing the egg yolks for this recipe so you can use them for something else. Set your egg whites aside and use a separate bowl to mix your next ingredients together.
With a whisk mix together your melted butter, sugar, salt, both extracts and water. Mix until everything is well incorporated and you are left with a paste like consistency. Next, use a rubber spatula or spoon to fold in your egg whites. Gently keep folding the egg whites in until you achieve a smooth velvety batter (so all the egg whites are well incorporated and you have achieved a consistent batter).
Preheat your oven to 375F.
On a lined baking sheet, spoon a small amount of batter onto the parchment paper and use the back of the spoon to create 7cm (3") circles. I like to work in small batches of about 3-4 cookies per sheet as that is about all I can shape after they come out of the oven while they are still warm. The circles should be very thin 1-2mm thick and should be evenly dense all over so that they bake evenly. I find it much easier to form the circles once the baking sheets are warmed up. I find the batter melts a little and so is easier to spread. Once you do a few you will see what consistency you like and I am sure find your own technique.
Bake the cookies for 4-5 minutes or until the edges of the cookies start to brown.
Remove from the oven and use a spatula to flip each cookie over so that you have the bottom showing. This is the part where you need to work quickly. As waiting too long will cause the cookies to cool to much and crumble during the forming process. But they will be hot, so you need to wait just a few seconds so that you are able to handle them. Again, you will have to test out what works for you. I usually wait about 10 seconds before handling them.
Once you feel comfortable enough, place your note in the center of the circle and fold top and bottom together (like a clam). When the top and bottom edges are together, I like to use the edge of a bowl or glass to finish forming the fortune cookies into their famous shapes. Simply lay the cookie over the edge of the glass so that the edge of the glass is placed at the bottom center of the "clam" shape you have created and bend the two end points together.
Place the freshly shaped cookies into a muffin tin to help keep their shape until they have cooled completely.
That's it! Have fun and enjoy!
What I love about these cookies is how customizable they are. I had made this particular batch to make special lunch note surprises for my girls. I have also added food coloring to an other batch that I made for a photo challenge to add some drama.
Use them as fun place settings for a special occassion, add sprinkles, fill them with candy, use your imagination, get creative and have fun.
Hope you enjoy!