Recently we had a Chinese takeaway and Harry discovered fortune cookies. On a scale of life’s wonders, it briefly ranked RIGHT AT THE TOP. ‘A cookie that actually tells you what is going to happen to you? Woooah!’
In practice, the cookie itself was a little underwhelming, disintegrating into an explosion of crumbs when snapped and revealing a rather vague fortune about pleasant strangers. So I had an idea; I’d make my own…
The good thing about homemade fortune cookies is that you can customise your fortunes to suit the recipient (these are the ones for my husband; heavy hints wrapped in paper);
Harry’s contain equally alluring and essential promises;
Best of all? They are so simple to make. Details below…
Supplies:
- Paper. I used 3 types; a vellum-like paper with a sheen (gorgeous), basic paper torn from an exercise book, and script-patterned gift wrap
- Circle template; I used the lid of the tin in the top picture. Aim for something about 10cm/4in square
- Fortunes; scribble them out onto strips of paper and cut up ready to slip in as you fold the paper cookies.
- Scissors, pencil, glue
Steps:
Draw around your circle shape and cut out as many shapes as you need from your paper.
Then, using the pictures below as a guide;
1. Fold the circle lightly in half and pinch hard at the crease in the centre, leaving an indent
2. Let the circle open again and lay a fortune sideways across the indent you made
3. Roll the opposite sides of the circle together as shown so that they overlap slightly; this forms a cuff that will hold the paper cookie together
4. Press your finger into the indent you made on the opposite side to push in the centre of the cookie, making the distinctive folded shape
5. Add a dab of glue deep in the fold and either hold for a minute until dry or use the tips of your scissors to anchor it in place to set as shown
6. Repeat!
- These would make a beautiful Valentines gift for someone; a bag of fortunes customised for the one you love
- Or try making a single over-sized paper cookie (12″), containing a letter or poem written out along a whole strip
- Experiment with materials (I want to try using a piece of tan-coloured leather; you could hide a pair of earrings or a necklace in here as an exquisite little gift)
- Have fun with the packaging; I used an old tin that had once held tempura mix and made my own label to cover up the original text
Happy folding!
Suzie
Such a lovely simple idea and photographed beautifully as usual. Off to fold some paper and find a suitable container.
Kate
Thanks Suzie!
Alison
Are the ‘cookies’ torn when opened or could you tuck another fortune in and reuse? Lovely idea either way!
Kate
My limited and unsophisticated experiment staged at home suggests that kids will rip these open and adults will carefully pull out the fortune and marvel at the paper cookie
Raquel
Wait! I can’t eat these! How unfortunate!
Kate
Sure you can Raquel, and you will never ever ever gain any weight! What kind of a cookie can promise that, huh? (But maybe don’t try that)
Kathy
Have you tried other materials? These are insanely popular when we do these in tan felt and suede with the kids at the hospital where I volunteer, handwritten fortunes tucked inside. Much googling of kanji ensues, and suddenly the world of calligraphy opens up. For Valentines Day we use pink, white, and red felt and rhyming love notes customized for the recipients. Best food you never ate!
Kate
Kathy that sounds SO cool! I’m definitely going to try the suede.. ps ‘best food you never ate’ – love it ☺️
Susan
I am in love. What a novel idea for Valentines Day or even as a gift for someone who has it all. Thank you.
Meg
Perfect timing. My daughter pulled from our activities with mom jar “do simple origami together”. I’m counting this as fun, simple origami. She is excited about writing up her own fortunes.