Misfortune Cookie
Just in case you wonder, there is nothing “Chinese” about the Fortune Cookies. It was actually originated from Japan, but it didn’t become popular until some Chinese dude in California started serving fortune cookies as dessert. Till these days, people still love receiving the cookie simply because there is a “fortune” hidden inside with faux wisdom or a vague prophecy that make absolutely no sense what so ever.
For the novelty sake, I decided to make a batch of the fortune cookies for the Chinese New Year dinner party this weekend at my place. Surprisingly this cookie is so easy to make, but the best part is you can write whatever messages you want! (evil thoughts) How can I resist for not putting some cheap jokes and cheeky messages inside these Misfortune Cookie? I did search the internet for some inspirations but I found some examples are just not on. Being funny is one thing, but some people absolutely crossing the line with messages cursing people to die the next day. That’s not funny at all. Thank god I have a group of friends that can handle cheap jokes well, it is going to be a crack up!
Fortune cookies are seriously easy to make. The most important part is you need to work fast when it comes out of the oven and quickly do the double fold before it goes hard. Having said that, no fret if the cookie goes hard before you can fold them as you can always put them back in the oven for few seconds and it will goes soft again. Just make sure you don’t burn them.
And I also found some of the cookies are still soft in the center after I folded them with messages inside. Again, no fret, pop them back in the oven and cook a little longer on low heat and that will harden the center without burning the edges too much. If not, you can always just make another batch of the mixture and start all over again, is not that hard really.
Here’s my take of the recipe I found on internet.
Ingredients
1. 2 large egg whites
2. ½ tsp vanilla extract
3. 3 tbsp vegetable oil (I used Canola Oil)
4. 60g all-purpose flour
5. 60g castor sugar
6. 1½ tsp cornstarch
7. ¼ tsp of salt
Methods
1. Write fortunes (or cheap jokes in my case) on pieces of paper that are 8cm long and 1cm wide.
2. Preheat oven to 160°C. Prepare 2 greased baking sheets. (I use silicone baking mat, it makes lifting the cookie up from the sheet a lot easier)
3. Whisk the egg whites, vanilla, vegetable oil in a mixing bowl until foamy, but not stiff.
4. Sift the flour, cornstarch, sugar and salt together into another bowl.
5. Add the flour into the egg white mixture and stir until you have a smooth batter. The batter should not be runny, but should drop easily off a wooden spoon. If it’s too thick, add 2 tablespoon of water into the mixture and repeat this step until it reaches the consistency that you are happy with.
6. Try to work in small batch until you get the hang of it. Place two spoonful of mixture onto the cookie sheet on each side. Then gently tilt the baking sheet in a rotation order until it forms into a circle 4 inches in diameter.
7. Bake until the outer 1/2-inch of each cookie turns golden brown and they are easy to remove from the baking sheet with a spatula (14 – 15 minutes). If you are using silicone mat, just lift the mat up and simply peel the cookie off the mat.
8. CAUTIONS: Wear a glove on one hand, the cookie is soft and very hot! Working quickly, place a fortune in the middle of a cookie. To form the fortune cookie shape, fold the cookie in half, then gently pull the edges downward over the rim of a glass or a bowl. Place the finished cookie in a narrow cup so that it keeps its shape while cooling down. Continue with the rest of the cookies.
A Table For Two (ATFT) is Billy Law's food blog that features best eats in Sydney and around the world with drool-worthy food photography to salivate your appetite. I also throw in a smidgen of my food and travel photography for good measure. Billy Law also happened to be a contestant on MasterChef Australia 2011. 
misfortune #1: while you are standing in an open field a meteor will strike with you at ground zero and leave a crater 10km wide.
These look great! I had no idea they were so easy to make!
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Misfortune #2: All your remaining savings will vanish after someone hacks into your Audible account and changes your password, preventing you from canceling your subscription after your free trial has expired.
lol. would love to receive a misfortune cookie!
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I wonder if you could make a chocolate version by adding a little cocoa powder to the batter? Mmmm.
Carolyn Jung’s last blog post..Charlie Ayer’s Calafia Cafe Opens
Wow, those look great! I can’t believe you didn’t need a mold or something like that.
gaga’s last blog post..BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
I would have never guessed they were so easy. But, do you by chance have any photos or more specific instructions on how to fold and when to put in the piece of paper? Very cute idea to make your own for the Chinese New Year!
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@Carolyn Jung: That’s a good idea, have to admit never have a chocolate fortune cookie, I think you are onto something there!
@gaga: It is easy, I have added a diagram how to fold it.
@Hillary: I have drawn up a step-by-step diagram on how to fold the fortune cookie, I hope you will find it helpful. http://www.atablefortwo.com.au/?p=1542
I’m unsure what “castor” sugar is. Can I use normal granulated sugar?
I’m planning to try making these this weekend… advance prep for my Chinese New Year houseparty. I’ll let you know how it turns out.