Homemade fortune cookies (签语饼)

Step 1

Write / print fortune messages that you wish to hide inside the cookies.

Step 2

Have a baking sheet (If it doesn’t have a non-stick surface, line it with non-stick baking paper / silicon baking mat), a spatular, a mug / glass and a muffin tray at hand.

Step 3

Preheat the oven to 180°C / 355°F (Fan 170°C / 340°F or Gas 4).

Step 4

In a mixing bowl, lightly beat egg whites and sugar until foamy.

Step 5

Pour in vanilla extract, melted butter and water. Whip until well incorporated.

Step 6

Add in flour. Gently mix and stop as soon as a smooth batter forms (do not overly mix).

Step 7

Pour a tablespoon of batter onto the baking sheet. Spread with the back of the spoon to form a round, thin disc (about 10cm / 4inches in diameter). Sprinkle sesame seeds around the edge of the disc.

Step 8

Repeat the procedure. Make maximum 4 discs at a time (see note 2).

Step 9

Transfer the baking sheet into the oven. Bake for 7-8 minutes until the edges brown slightly (see note 3).

Step 10

Bring the baking sheet out of the oven.

Step 11

Quickly flip a disc over with a spatular. Place a fortune message in the middle.

Step 12

Fold the disc into a semi-circle. Then quickly place it onto the rim of the mug.

Step 13

Push the corners down to shape it into a fortune cookie (Please refer to the tutorial video below).

Step 14

Place it in one of the molds of the muffin tray to keep it in shape while cooling. Repeat to finish the rest.

Step 15

Enjoy when the cookies are completely cool. Or store them in an air-tight container for later consumption.

Step 16

If you find the middle of the cookies are not crispy enough when cooled, or your leftover cookies have lost their crunchiness, bake them in a preheated oven at 130°C / 260°F (Fan 120°C / 250° or Gas 1/for 6 minutes or so.