The type of flour I used was not kneaded.
Before Christmas, I thought it would be fun to make my niece and nephew homemade fortune cookies with personalized silly messages. Unfortunately, the type of flour I used was not kneaded. CORRECTION: I meant I used the wrong type of flour.
The Yummy Recipe Source
I came across Fifteen Spatulas website while searching online for "homemade fortune cookies." It just happened that their Homemade Fortune Cookies blog page was the first suggested to me based on my search results.
The recipe and written directions seemed easy enough to follow. The YouTube video linked within the first half of the post provided clarity as to what I needed to do and when.
Before I attempted the recipe, I made custom messages to slip inside the fortune cookies. Most messages were jokes I found online. The other messages were 'inside' jokes only my niece and nephew would laugh at.
Overall, I'm pleased with this recipe. Although I considered the fortune cookies that I attempted to make a fail, the flavor made my first attempt worthwhile.
The Mistake
There was nothing wrong with the recipe. In fact, the batch I made were tasty. However, I didn't use "all purpose flour" in my mixture.
Since my Dad moved in a few years ago, he's helped with buying groceries. If I had "flour" on the grocery list, Dad bought "flour." I never thought to read the packaging to see what type of flour Dad bought.
My naive self didn't realize there were different types of flour. I've always bought "All Purpose Flour" as is listed on the homemade fortune cookie recipe. However, Dad's always bought "Self Rising Flour."
The Results of the Mistake
It wasn't until I pulled the first couple cookies out of the oven when I realized something was wrong. As I attempted to fold the cookies as instructed, they broke in half.
I tried several more times by modifying my technique ever so slightly. Most cookies I attempted to fold broke in half and crumbled. This was confusing to me since they were airy and fluffy, not hard and crisp like fortune cookies I've had from Asian restaurants.
There were a few cookies I was able to fold and attempted to shape, but they never maintained their shapes after cooling in a small muffin tray for several minutes.
The cookie also stuck to the paper. Fortunately, none of the inkjet printer ink transferred to the cookie piece I would've eaten anyway. It was unfortunate that it happened even after following the advice to fold the cookie first and then slip in the paper to avoid this issue.
I believed I messed up at some point and needed to find a fix for my problem. It was while I searched through my pantry when I realized Dad bought "Self Rising Flour" and not the type I normally get.
The "Self Rising Flour" would never allow the cookie to be thin and crisp enough to fold properly and maintain its shape.
My Thoughts
I was naive and didn't realize there were different types of flour. It never crossed my mind to specify the type of flour I preferred on my grocery list. Now I know to specifically note "All Purpose Flour" on the grocery list when it's "kneaded."
Once I realized my mistake, I poured the remaining mixture into a couple muffin trays to make light, airy treats. This meant my intent of making my niece and nephew homemade fortune cookies with personalized silly messages for Christmas didn't go as planned.
Fortunately, my first failed attempt turned out to be tasty. Unfortunately, my Dad and I ate all of it before Christmas. My niece and nephew didn't get a tasty surprise, but what they don't know won't hurt them.
What's Next?
I will try this recipe again now that I have "All Purpose Flour" in my pantry, but it may be a while before I share my experience with my second attempt. I'll try to make a batch for my niece and nephew before I visit them.
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Thanks, and have a great day!
Simply Jelly Jam
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