While everybody loves getting a delicious fortune cookie at the end of a Chinese meal, not everyone loves the rather generic messages contained inside. For Valentine's Day, or any other romantic celebration, a great idea to surprise your lover (or friend, child, parent, etc.) is to create a customized goody with a hidden message that is just as special as it is delicious...
FIND A RECIPE. While I would love to take credit for creating the recipe for these homemade fortune cookies, I would be lying if I said that I didn't have some help. The recipe I prefer is as follows: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Fortune-Cookies-So-Easy/Detail.aspx. These are easy and low-cost to make, and turn out beautifully. You can also check www.foodnetwork.com and www.allrecipes.com if you want a different version.
WRITE THE SPECIAL MESSAGES. After you determine how many fortune cookies you would like to create, take your sheet of plain, multi-purpose copy paper, and, with a ruler and pencil, draw 3 inch long by 1/2 inch wide strips on the paper. Cut the strips out, and begin writing your messages. For extra flair, you can even write these messages on fancy paper instead of basic white paper. For the messages, you can write lines of a poem, inside jokes, or just sentimental thoughts and wishes on each strip. Place the strips of paper, with the messages written on them, in a nearby bowl for easy access.
CONSTRUCT YOUR COOKIE. After following the directions and baking these cookies until they are golden around the edges (which is VERY important), remove the cookies from the oven. Working quickly, take one message and place it in the center of a cookie. Fold the cookie over, sealing the edges shut, and mold the sides so it resembles a horse shoe shape. I recommend also placing them in a muffin tin until they set, as the recipe suggests, as to prevent them from popping open. Repeat with the remaining cookies and messages.
DECORATE YOUR TREATS. After all the cookies are cooled, begin melting the almond bark according to the directions on the package. You can use the microwave for this, or a double-broiler on the stove (I recommend the easy way-- the microwave!). While I like chocolate, you can also experiment with white chocolate and other flavors. While the almond bark is still warm, gently dip the cookie in the chocolate, sprinkle it heavily with red, pink, or other colors of sprinkles, and set it on a cookie sheet with wax paper. Repeat with the other cookies. You could even skip the sprinkles on some cookies and draw a design or initials on the chocolate coating with writing icing.
PRESENT YOUR PRESENT. You could serve these cookies directly after a meal, or all at once for a sweet surprise. A great idea is purchasing a gift box in the shape of a Chinese take out box (available at Wal-Mart for about $2) and place all of the cookies in there, wrapped in tissue paper. Regardless of how you present them, the recipient will adore all of the time and thought that go into these fortune cookies!
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Katie and I tried this one time for Valentine's Day presents for our men. There was a lot of cursing and burning flesh involved.
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