1
["Preheat the oven to 350F. Pour the melted butter into the bowl of a mixer fitted with paddle attachment (or mix by hand). Add the powdered sugar and beat until smooth.", "Add the flour and salt and continue beating until blended. Then, with the mixer running on low speed, slowly add the egg whites and almond extract. Mix until smooth but be careful not to add air to the mixture. Strain the batter through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl.", "Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat. Use a large circle (about 8-inches in diameter) as a stencil. I've found that the outside of a spring-form pan works well, as does cutting out the center of a paper plate so all that remains is a 1/4-inch thick ring. Pour 1/2 cup batter into the center of the ring and use a rubber spatula or offset spatula to spread the batter into a thin, even layer about 1/8-inch thick. It should be thick enough that you can't see through it in any part.", "Remove the stencil and bake until the edges turn light brown and the batter is dry in the center, about 10 to 12 minutes. Working quickly, use a spatula to lift the cookie off the baking sheet and place it upside-down on a dry towel. Set the fortune in the center.", "Use your fingers to form the fortune cookie but be careful as it will be very hot: fold the cookie lightly in half with the loose ""creased"" side closest to you. Place your thumbs in the center of the fold and place your index fingers in the openings on both ends. Pull the ends toward the center to form the traditional shape, then set aside to cool.", "To decorate the cookies, begin by melting the chocolate. Pour the chocolate chips into a heatproof metal or glass bowl. Set the bowl on top of a small pot filled 1/3 with water. Turn the heat to medium and stir until the chocolate is completely melted. Dip the fortune cookies into the chocolate, then set on parchment paper. Decorate right away with sprinkles, chopped nuts or other small candies. Chill until the chocolate hardens.", "Wrap the cookies individually in clear plastic and tie it together with a decorative ribbon."]
