Fortune Cookies

Making Fortune Cookies

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1. Heat the oven to 180°C / 350°F (160°C / 320°F fan). Line 2 baking trays with baking parchment or silicone mats. Mark 4 circles about 8 cm across on the underside of each sheet of parchment, spaced well apart, and turn it over.

   Mark done

2. Whisk the egg whites with the sugar, water, vanilla, almond extract and salt for 30 seconds, until frothy. Whisk in the flour until smooth, then whisk in the melted butter.

   Mark done Start 30 sec timer

3. Put 1 tablespoon of batter in the centre of each circle and spread it with the back of a spoon to fill the circle in a thin, even layer.

   Mark done

4. Bake one tray at a time for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the centres are pale.

   Mark done Start 8 min timer

5. Working quickly, lift a hot disc with a thin spatula and turn it over. Lay a fortune across the centre, fold the disc in half to make a semi-circle, then pull the two corners of the fold down over the rim of a glass or mug so that the cookie bends into a crescent. Set it in a muffin tin to hold its shape. Repeat with the other discs on the tray.

   Mark done

6. If the discs stiffen before you have shaped them, return the tray to the oven for 30 seconds to soften them again. Let the cookies cool completely, when they crisp up, and repeat with the rest of the batter.

   Mark done Start 30 sec timer

Tips for Making Fortune Cookies

• Bake only one tray at a time and keep the other batter covered. The discs harden in seconds, and shaping more than four at once is impossible.
• Make the discs thin and even. Thick batter bakes into a cookie that is too soft to fold and never becomes crisp.
• Wear thin cotton gloves if the discs are too hot to handle. They are very hot when they leave the oven, and gloves save a burnt fingertip.

Serving Suggestions

• Green tea
• Vanilla ice cream
• Chinese takeaway

Keeping and Reheating

Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. They soften in damp air, so re-crisp in a low oven for 5 minutes.

Fortune Cookies FAQ: Common Questions

What's in a Serving

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.