Happy Chinese New Year!

It is the Chinese New Year- the year of the Rooster!  

To celebrate, I decided to try something that I have been wanting to do for sometime- make my own Fortune Cookies!  

I found a recipe online and decided to give it a try.  The original came from wondermomwannabe.com. Of course, I am not good at following directions, so I had to make some changes.  There is a great explanation and photos on wondermomwannabe.com if you want to give it a try or need better instructions. While the original recipe said that they were "faster", but they do take some time to make. Since they are not fried, they are more chewy than the traditional ones you will find at your favorite Chinese restaurant, but I really like the almond flavor.  

Easy Fortune Cookies 

2 egg whites

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

3 Tablespoons canola oil

1/2 cup flour

1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch

1/2 cup sugar

Pinch of salt

4 Tablespoons of water 

Electric or stovetop griddle, your preference

Tablespoon

Cutting Board

Spatula (I prefer an off-side spatula for this)

Mug or glass

Cupcake pan

Fortunes 

• Write or print out fortunes.  You can find a lot during a Google search, some for kids, some very adult, or better yet, make up your own for your friends and family. Cut them into small strips and fold in half lengthwise. 
• Be prepared- set out the griddle, spoon, cutting board, mug or glass, cupcake pan and fortunes in advance. 
• In a small bowl whisk together egg whites, extracts, and oil.  Beat until foamy. 
• In a large bowl sift the dry ingredients together until a soft dough forms.   Add water and mix until fully incorporated. 
• Add the egg white mixture to the dough and mix until fully combined. It should be about the texture of pancake mix.
• Turn the electric griddle to 325 degrees (the original recipe said low, this did not work for me). If using a stovetop griddle, turn heat to medium.   
• Spoon a measuring Tablespoon of the mix onto the hot griddle.  Use the back of the spoon to spread it into a thin circle. I did one at a time, but you can do two or more, just wait about a minute in between. Time is of the essence. 
• Keep your eye on the cookies, if it looks like they are cooking too fast, turn the heat down a little. 

• Cook each circle as you would a pancake, until each side is a light golden brown. About 1/2 minutes each side. 
• With the spatula, remove the fully cooked cookie onto the board.  IT WILL BE HOT! 
• Place the fortune in the center of the cookie. 
• Using the spatula to assist you, fold the cookie in half and gently press the edges together.  Again, IT IS HOT! 
• Hold each side of the now half-circle cookie and fold over the side of a mug or glass.  
• Place in a cupcake cup in the cupcake pan to cool and set the shape.  

Next time I may dip them in a little melted chocolate and a few sprinkles.  I saw some on Pinterest and they looked like a really fun treat for a Chinese New Year party or any celebration. 

If you do not have time to make these cookies today- don't fret!  The Chinese New Year Celebration continues for 15 days and this year will culminate in the Lantern Festival in the 15th day of the New Year! 

Wishing you a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year! 

Thanks for stopping by today! 

~Cynthia