Buzz
It takes only about 30 seconds to crack open and enjoy a fortune cookie (after reading the insightful message inside, of course), but creating them from scratch is a much more involved task. While most fortune cookies found at Chinese eateries in the U.S. are mass-produced, crafting your own with customized messages makes for thoughtful gifts and memorable party favors. Even better, they taste far superior.
Tammy, a Canadian chef behind the YouTube channel Yoyomax12 - The Diet-Free Zone, has simplified the entire process into a few straightforward steps. To begin, the batter is made by mixing egg whites, vanilla extract, almond extract, vegetable oil, flour, corn starch, salt, sugar, and water in a bowl. Some recipes add lemon or orange zest and melted butter to intensify the flavor.
Once the batter is thoroughly combined, two portions are scooped onto a greased cookie sheet, and a spoon is used to spread it evenly. The mixture is then baked for 11 to 12 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until the edges take on a light golden-brown hue.
The next stage is where things get a bit tricky. When the cookies come out of the oven, they are soft and pliable, but they firm up quickly, so speed is key. As Tammy shows, one cookie is picked up—wearing gloves is recommended since they’re hot—and a paper fortune is inserted into the center. The cookie is then folded in half, and the folded edge is gently pressed against the rim of a mug, giving it its signature shape. The same process is repeated with the second cookie, and more batter is baked to continue.
Tammy recommends that beginners start with just two cookies at a time until they become more confident. “You need to fold the cookies while they’re still warm,” Tammy explains. “If you wait until they cool down, they’ll crack and break apart because they become very brittle.”
Naturally, fortune cookie manufacturers use assembly lines to streamline the process. Machines handle the mixing, baking, and folding, and videos showing the process are available online (including one with Jimmy Kimmel). One company reportedly produces 4 million fortune cookies daily.
Interestingly, while the Pacman-shaped cookies are common in Chinese restaurants, their origins are mainly American. Some historians trace the treat back to early 20th-century California, while other researchers point out that its shape closely resembles fortune cookies served in Japan long before they appeared in the U.S.
Ready to give it a try? It may take a bit of practice to perfect, but take this advice from a fortune cookie: “All things are difficult before they are easy.”
