Homemade fortune cookies (签语饼)

Method15 steps

1. 1

   Step 1: Write or print short fortune messages on small strips of paper. Have them ready before baking so each hot cookie can be shaped immediately.

2. 2

   Step 2: Set out a spatula, a mug or glass, and a muffin tray. Use a non-stick baking sheet, or line it with non-stick baking paper or a silicone baking mat.

3. 3

   Step 3: Preheat the oven to 180°C / 355°F, or 170°C / 340°F fan (Gas 4).

4. 4

   Step 4: Lightly beat the 3 egg whites and 4 tbsp sugar in a mixing bowl until foamy.

   Uses 3 egg whites (about 100 g) · 4 tbsp sugar, or to taste

5. 5

   Step 5: Whisk ½ tsp vanilla extract, 4 tbsp melted butter and 2 tbsp water into the foamy mixture until evenly combined.

   Uses Foamy mixture from step 4 · ½ tsp vanilla extract · 4 tbsp melted butter · 2 tbsp water

6. 6

   Step 6: Gently stir 80 g all-purpose flour into the flavoured mixture. Stop as soon as the batter is smooth; overmixing makes it difficult to spread and less crisp.

   Uses Flavoured mixture from step 5 · 80 g all-purpose flour

7. 7

   Step 7: Spoon 1 tbsp batter onto the prepared baking sheet. Spread it into a thin disc about 10 cm / 4 inches across, then sprinkle a little of the sesame seed supply around its edge.

   Uses 1 tbsp batter from step 6 · A sprinkle of sesame seeds from the 1 tbsp rim supply

8. 8

   Step 8: Make a small batch of no more than 4 discs, using 1 tbsp batter for each and a little sesame around each rim. Start with just 1 or 2 discs until comfortable shaping them quickly; leave space between discs.

   Uses First disc from step 7 · Further 1 tbsp batter draws from step 6 · Further sesame seeds for these rims

9. 9

   Step 9: Bake this small batch for 7–8 minutes, checking from 7 minutes. Remove it when the edges are lightly browned and the discs are cooked but still flexible; overbaked discs become too brittle to fold.

   Check cookie batch · 7 minUses The 1–4 discs from step 8

10. 10

    Step 10: Take the baking sheet out of the oven and start shaping the hot discs immediately.

    Uses Hot batch from step 9

11. 11

    Step 11: Working quickly, flip one hot disc with the spatula and place a prepared fortune message in its centre.

    Uses One disc from the hot batch in step 10

12. 12

    Step 12: Fold the disc in half into a semicircle, with the message inside. Quickly set the straight folded edge over the rim of the mug or glass.

    Uses Disc and message from step 11

13. 13

    Step 13: Gently push both corners downward over the rim to form the curved fortune-cookie shape.

    Uses Folded disc from step 12

14. 14

    Step 14: Place each shaped cookie in a muffin-tray mould to hold its shape while it cools. Shape the other hot discs straight away in the same way. Repeat the spreading, baking and shaping sequence with the remaining batter and sesame seeds, keeping every oven batch to no more than 4 cookies.

    Uses Shaped cookie from step 13 · Any remaining discs from step 10 · Remaining batter from step 6 for later batches · Remaining sesame seed rim supply

    
15. 15

    Step 15: Let the cookies cool completely before eating. Their centres should be crisp; keep completely cooled cookies in an airtight container.

    Uses Cooled cookies from step 14