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.
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, plan on 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.