Don't you just love making personalized Valentines—cards, gifts, even cookies for family and friends? This Homemade Fortune Cookies Recipe has become our family's favorite way to say “I love you” or… “I really like you” or… “You don't have as many cooties as other kids do.”
I'm sure my kids aren't the only ones that feel a little awkward passing out cards with hearts and X's and O's on them to their playground buddies and basketball teammates… at least I hope they aren't the only ones. Can you tell both of my children are boys?
We started making personalized Valentine's Day cookies for my kid's close friends and classmates when my oldest son was in third grade. A simple cookie with a simple name piped on it seemed to do the trick and help him get over his awkwardness so… the tradition stuck. We made them every year after that. The older the boys got, the more involved they became in the cookie making process and the more fun we had. Cookie baking became a “quality time with Mom” thing every Valentine's Day.
When the boys got to high school, we started making homemade fortune cookies. At first, the fortunes were all about sports like, “You will score the winning basket.” And, “You will have fame and fortune.” Then, I challenged them to write a fortune that was personal for each of their friends and classmates. I thought I would get a little resistance or at least an “awww Mom!” But they actually enjoy coming up with something different specifically for each friend.
If you make your own homemade fortune cookies for your kids, here are some tips:
- First, take the chance to say something really special about each of your children.
- Have the fortunes written and cut out before you bake the cookies. The cookies cool off soooo fast that you won't have time to do it when they come out of the oven.
- Start by baking 3 to 4 cookies at a time. They cool off very fast (I can only do 3 at a time).
- Plan on having some “cookie breakage” it will take you a a few minutes to get the hang of folding them. This is a large recipe so you should have plenty.
- Use the chocolate to patch any small cracks.
- Have your kids write and fold the fortunes but, unless they are older, they may not be able to fold the cookies fast enough.
- DO have the kids of all ages dip the cookie in chocolate and sprinkles!
Have fun making these! If you have any questions at all, just leave a comment here on this post or come and find me at home on Everyday Southwest. You can also reach me on the Everyday Southwest Facebook Fan Page.
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—See you soon!!
Sandy
- 4 large egg whites
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablepoons whole milk
- 5 tablespoons butter, room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoons almond or orange flavoring
- parchment paper
- Write or print fortunes and cut them out. Fold the fortunes into narrow strips that are 1/4 inch thick by about 2 inches long.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Beat egg whites and sugar together on medium speed until just combined, about 1 minute. Sift flour and salt into egg white mixture and beat until combined, about 30 seconds. Add butter, milk and flavorings until combined.
- Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or silpat. If possible, do not use a dark, nonstick sheet pan, (the cookies will get too brown). Lightly spray parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray, optional (I do not spray mine).
- Spoon about 1 to 2 teaspoons of batter onto parchment paper or silpat for each cookie and spread into an even circle with the back of a spoon or small spatula. Start with only 3 cookies at a time. Bake for 7 minutes. Ovens vary in temperatures so, check at 6 minutes and bake until fortune cookie is set and slightly golden brown.
- Remove from oven and, working very quickly, flip cookies over, place a fortune across center of cookie and gently fold edges together to resemble a taco. Then, quickly fold “taco” over hot edge of pan to keep its shape while folding other cookies.
- Set folded cookies in a muffin tin to keep their shape while cooling.
- When all cookies are baked, place 1/2 cup of chocolate chips in a small bowl and melt in microwave by heating on 50 percent power for 15 seconds. Stir chocolate and repeat 4 to 5 more times or until chocolate is completely melted but not scorched. Stir remaining 1/4 cup chocolate chips into hot, melted chocolate and stir until completely melted.
- Dip one side of each cookie into chocolate and then dip into colored sprinkles. Set aside for chocolate to set.