Make Your Own Miracle Jesus Tortilla!

If you don’t know what a Jesus tortilla is, check out JesusTortilla.Com.

Jesus appears everywhere if you believe these people, but you have to take their word for it since they don’t provide any photographic evidence. Are you tired of hoping and waiting for a miraculous Jesus tortilla of your own? Do you want to impress your friends or serve your grandma a treat she’ll remember for whatever's left of her life? I would like to impress upon you the fact that miracles come in all shapes and sizes. If you want your miracle to be Marlon Brando from "The Godfather" or Goetse, more power to you. The sky's the limit and no one's stopping you.

We're sticking with a classic for the time being, though.  I’m here to bear witness to that fact that manufacturing a miracle is not as easy as it may seem.  I will share with you some things to do and one thing not to do.  To be clear, this project involves fire and sharp things.  Be judicious. I learned everything I know about burning Jesus into a tortilla through trial and error and experimentation.  In certain instances, I may have been a little overzealous in my approach.  You, however can learn from my mistakes.  Let's get started.

Here's what you'll need:

A Jesus Stencil:

I don’t recommend going much bigger than this unless you want to buy some aluminum flashing and do a big one on a large flour tortilla.  This is about all your tall boy can (which you will be using for your metal stencil) can handle.  Actual size is 8 x 12 centimeters.

• Tortillas (flour used here - results not guaranteed with corn)
• Crack lighter (butane - flame burns in a controlled point)
• Aluminum foil
• Tall Boy Can*
• Clear packing tape*
• Permanent Marker
• Cotton first Aid Tape
• Cutting Board
• Lightweight utility knife
• Paper Stencil of The Lord
• Butane for your lighter
• Helpful: scissors

*not pictured here

Tape Your Jesus

Cut Your Jesus

Cut Your Tall Boy

Tape tinfoil to all four edges on the front of your stencil.  Cotton fiber first-aid tape works well.

Add another piece of foil to the front to cover your tape and for reinforcement.  This piece need not be taped, but it should have a hole large enough to expose the entire stencil.  Maybe this is overkill, but the less burning hot, fiery surface area is next to your fingertips the better, I say.

Carefully center your tortilla behind the stencil.  Select a tortilla that has few dark spots in the center as they may interfere with your stencil.

Wrap the tortilla snugly inside the tinfoil taking care not to jostle or fold your tortilla.

Use your crack lighter to cook the image of Jesus into the tortilla.  The method I found works best is to move the lighter much as you would a can of spray paint.  You may not see anything at first.  The tortilla is moist and you must dry the exposed parts before they begin to toast.  Soon you will see a change in color.  It will be irregular as the surface of the tortilla is, but this makes your Jesus tortilla more authentic.

Use something non-flammable to push your stencil snug with the tortilla at the same time you're burning it.  This prevents buckles in the stencil from exposing parts that aren't meant to be exposed to the flame.  Keep the tip of your scissors or knife close to the parts you are burning at all times.

Be patient.  Allow plenty of time as you want to avoid overheating and destroying your lighter.  Miracles take time.

If you think you can take care of this project quickly, like this:

I have to tell you that it will not work.  You will burn your stencil out of any possible recognizability and destroy your tortilla in the process.  Flame-throwing is not the answer.  Jesus will only appear if you exercise the virtue of patience.

When you think you’ve pretty much got it, remove your tortilla and check out your Jesus.  If he’s not quite what you imagined, don’t worry.