Combine the magic of fortunes with Westeros and what do you get? These Chocolate flavored Game of Thrones Fortune Cookies!
There is something so mystical about a fortune cookie – and the knowledge that they’re all mass produced in a factory does nothing to dampen the twinge of excitement and intrigue when you break open into one.
A little history…
There are several stories behind the invention of this largely American treat. One story is that a Chinese immigrant, David Jung took pity on the homeless people wandering outside his store in LA and crafted these cookies for them. He slipped a tiny piece of biblical verse in the folds to lift their spirits.
Another story goes that it was created by a Japanese immigrant and landscape designer, Makoto Hagiwara who designed the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco. After being fired by an anti-Japanese mayor, he was later re-instated by the next elected mayor. To thank everyone who supported him during the brief crisis, he created these cookies with a thank-you note inside and handed it to everyone who visited the tea garden. He claims that he created the cookies based on Tsujiura Senbei – a confection from Kyoto that dates back to the 19th century, possibly even earlier. The Tsujiura Senbei is flavored with sesame and miso, is a little darker than the fortune cookie we’re used to eating now, and the fortune is tucked between the folds, as opposed to hidden within.
Irrespective of its origins, we cannot deny that this mundane cookie is now an integral part of Asian take-out food in the US.
Most of the time, the fortune in store for you is vague and even nonsensical at times, but the theory of probability ensures that atleast once or twice, the fortune coincides with something in your life, at which point the cookie suddenly becomes a thing of magic!
I remember how excited I was to break open into my first fortune cookie. I still have the fortune saved up, and weirdly, it made sense to me back then. Now, not so much! But that’s the way it goes.
Game of Thrones Fortune Cookies
It’s almost a ritual now for me to re-watch the earlier seasons of Game of Thrones on HBO in preparation for the new season to come while eating some take-out stir-fry. As I broke into my fortune, I thought how incredibly amazing it would be if I could make them with Game of Thrones fortunes inside! Ironic, because the only kind of fortune on the show seems to be misfortune! But the show does have some epic dialogues that could translate into fortunes, should you learn look at them in the right light.
Besides, wouldn’t they be just about absolutely awesome at a GOT viewing party? I think so!
And that’s how I got started with making these Chocolate flavored Game of Thrones Fortune Cookies. And don’t you worry about the fortunes – I got you covered: here’s a FREE Printable!
If you’ve never made a fortune cookie before (why would you? No normal person would!) here are a few things you should know:
- You must work fast when shaping the cookie – it is soft and pliable when it comes out of the oven, but as it cools, it hardens to a crisp biscuit.
- Bake in small batches – 2 per batch is plenty.
- Ready two baking trays with the 3″ round template. When you take one tray out, put the other in immediately.
- While it’s still hot, flip over the baked cookie, place a fortune inside, fold in half.
- Then use a blunt-edged glass or bowl to fold the cookie again in half. Then place them in a muffin tin to cool, so it holds its bent shape.
- Let the baking tray cool a little, and spread two more rounds of batter for the next batch. Repeat till you run out of batter.
Don’t worry if all your cookies don’t look perfect – 1/3 of mine always turns out a little cracked or tragically shaped. And after cooling, if your cookies still seem soft, when the last batch is done and you’ve turned off the oven, put the soft cookies in the warm oven and they will crisp up as the oven cools. Store in an air-tight container for a week.
While we’re talking about viewing parties, here are a few more Game of Thrones inspired foods that will blow your mind!
From left to right: Dragon Scale Cake | Honey Cakes | Mulled Wine | Faux Pigeon Pie
When you make these (which I really think you SHOULD!), be sure to SHARE YOUR PHOTOS with me through Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. I’d love to see what you cook from here!
Chocolate Fortune cookies
- Prep Time:5m
- Cook Time:2h
- Total Time:2h
- Serves: 30
- Yield: About 30 cookies
Ingredients
- 3 egg whites, room temperature
- 4 tbsp. 45g / 1.5oz) butter, melted
- 1/2 c (60g / 2oz) icing sugar, sifted
- 1 tbsp. cocoa powder
- 1/2 c all purpose flour
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
Instructions
- Print and cut out the fortunes from the provided printable. Alternatively, you can also write your own fortunes on a small piece of paper.
- On a piece of parchment paper, draw two 3" circles as template spaced 2" apart. Turn the paper over. Place this template on a medium baking tray, and put a silicone baking mat on top. If you don't have a silicone template, you can also draw the template on foil. Do not bake on parchment paper directly.
- Prepare two baking trays with the template circles.
- Preheat oven to 325°F/160°C.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the egg whites until frothy. Stir in the melted butter and vanilla.
- Whisk in the remaining ingredients until no lumps remain and you have a smooth batter.
- Scoop about 1 tsp of batter into each circle template and spread it around in a thin, even layer. Make no more than 2 cookies per batch, bake only one tray at a time.
- Bake at 325°F/160°C for 8-10 minutes until the outsides start to crisp and the tops are no longer sticky. Take the tray out, and put the other tray in to bake.
- Working quickly, loosen each cookie from the tray, turn it over, place a fortune in the center, fold in half and mold over the lip of a glass by pressing both ends down.
- Place the folded cookie into a muffin tin to hold its shape as it cools.
- Once completely cool, store in an airtight container for upto a week.
cakespy says
What an awesome idea! It’s so clever, and the visual is beautiful. <3
Tina Dawson says
Awww thanks Jessie! Appreciate it!
Molly Kumar says
OMG – First of all Yummmm!!! for the Chocolate Fortune Cookies & Second, these are too cute n perfect for a Game of Thrones party. I’ve never made fortune cookies at home and you made it look so simple that I’ve to try now 🙂
Tina Dawson says
Awww thanks Molly! They take some time, but other than having to walk back and forth to the oven, it’s just easy-peasy. Combine with other work you have in the kitchen, and you won’t even notice!
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine says
I love that you included a printable for the fortunes! Such a fun idea. This would be fun to do for a kid’s party and write funny ones in there.
Tina Dawson says
Absolutely! Feel free to swap up the fortunes according to the event, these are fun all year round!
Jagruti says
I have no idea about game of thrones, and never had fortune cookies, but surely I would love to have your chocolate fortune cookies..pass me that beautiful container you have 🙂
Tina Dawson says
Ha ha ha! Sure thing Jagruti!
Kristina @ Love & Zest says
What a fun party idea! I love these! I love that the fortune cookies are chocolate!
Tina Dawson says
Thanks Kristina! I thought that a little chocolate wouldn’t hurt the theme! 🙂
Elaine @ Dishes Delish says
Boy, that was a fun read! I love chocolate fortune cookies! I never even thought about the origin of the cookie. This recipe looks both fun and delicious! On a side note, my nephew got the best fortune ever once. This is what it said: “Hi, how are you today?” I’m sure he still has it!
Tina Dawson says
Ha ha ha!!! The quirkiest fortunes like that are definitely worth saving!!!!
Michelle | The Last Food Blog says
What a great party idea! My little girl loves fortune cookies, just for the message, so it will be so good to be able to make some nice chocolate ones for her. Thank you 🙂
Tina Dawson says
Awww that’s so sweet Michelle! I hope she likes these too!
Srinidhi says
Hi Tina,
How many cookies did this recipe make?
Tina Dawson says
Hey Srinidhi, this makes about 30 small cookies or 15 large ones. You’ll find this information along with the recipe above!!! I hope you try these, it’s SO much FUN!
Cristie | Little Big H says
I’m completely blown away with how easy you make it look to make these. I’m super excited to give this a try now. Thanks for the inspiration.
Tina Dawson says
Thanks Cristie! It’s quite fun to do with some happy helpers around… you might get it done in half the time than I did by my lonesome…
Emily says
This is the most amazing DIY project ever and I am so impressed!!! This reminds me of the fortune cooke gactory in Chinatown SF…. awesome!
Tina Dawson says
Thanks a lot Emily! I would love to take a tour through that factory…. I’ve always wondered if a machine does the cookie shaping or a person does at the end of the assembly line…
Holly @ 3 Yummy Tummies says
These are so fun! I had no idea how to make these and can’t wait to try this recipe with the chocolate version!
Tina Dawson says
Thanks Holly, you should give this one a whirl! It’s a super fun party idea!
Nagi@RecipeTinEats says
Woah! This is incredible! I have never made fortune cookies before but you’ve totally inspired me to give it a go! LOVE that you made your own fortunes to go inside!!! I’m not a Game of Thrones fan (too violent for me!!!) so I might have to swap these out for a Sex In The City quotes!! Oooh – what a COOL idea for my next girls get together!!
Tina Dawson says
Nagi, your comment really made my day! I feel a little star struck right now! I love Sex and the City too, so once your printables are ready, give me a shout out! I’m gonna need those too! 🙂
Sarah @ Champagne Tastes says
What a fun idea for a party!!! I bet these taste a whole lot better than the ones you get with your take-out too.. I always wonder how many years they’ve been sitting around lol
Tina Dawson says
Me too Sarah! I saw this recipe and it said that it can be made 2 days in advance and kept for a week. I doubt the stores replenish their stocks every week….
Diana says
I love fortune cookies, and love how you added chocolate to them. I don’t think that I ever had chocolate fortune cookies 🙂
Tina Dawson says
Me neither Diana! Didn’t seem like a bad idea though!
Pradeep Jay says
As Tyrion would say: http://s33.postimg.org/goead3pov/Tyrion.jpg
Just hope this is NOT how Melisandre comes up with her prophecies
Tina Dawson says
Ha ha! I didn’t even know this meme existed! How cool is that! No, I have a feeling Mel is more of a roasting rather than a baking kinda gal!;)