Fortune Cookies

Ingredients

• 3 large egg whites
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 16 small paper fortune slips

Method

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

2. 2

   Write or print short fortunes on small strips of paper, about 3 inches long, and set aside.

3. 3

   In a medium bowl, whisk the egg whites and sugar together until frothy and well combined.

4. 4

   Sift in the flour and salt, whisking until smooth and no lumps remain.

5. 5

   Whisk in the melted butter, water, vanilla extract, and almond extract until the batter is smooth and thin.

6. 6

   Spoon 1 tablespoon of batter onto the prepared baking sheet and spread into a thin 3 to 4 inch circle using the back of the spoon. Repeat with only 2 to 3 circles per sheet, spaced well apart, since cookies must be folded quickly one at a time.

7. 7

   Bake until the edges turn golden brown and the centers are just set, 8 to 10 minutes.

   8:00 · Bake cookies
8. 8

   Working quickly while the cookies are hot and pliable, use a thin spatula to lift one cookie, place a fortune in the center, and fold the cookie in half over the paper.

9. 9

   Fold the rounded edge over the rim of a muffin pan or drape over a wooden spoon handle to form the classic fortune cookie crease, pinching gently to hold the shape.

10. 10

    Set the folded cookie into an empty muffin cup to hold its shape while it cools completely, about 10 minutes. Repeat folding with the remaining hot cookies before they cool and become brittle.

    10:00 · Cool folded cookies
11. 11

    Repeat baking and folding with the remaining batter in small batches until all the batter is used.

12. 12

    Store the cooled fortune cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.