Fortune Cookies

One-half cup of butter, softened
3 egg whites
1 cup of icing sugar
Pinch of salt
1 tsp of ground star anise
One-half tsp of vanilla extract
Three-quarters of a cup of all-purpose flour
A variety of hand written or typed fortunes that are about one quarter inch by 2 inch.
1 empty egg carton

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Place the first 6 ingredients into a bowl and beat with a wooden spoon until smooth.  Stir in flour.

Let the batter rest for about half hour.

Drop a teaspoon of batter onto a lined baking sheet and using the back of a spoon, spread very thinly into a 4-inch circle.  Repeat so there are 2 circles on the baking sheet.  Bake until it just begins to get golden in colour, about 3-5 minutes.  Remove from oven, and while still hot, place a paper fortune across the centre of the cookie.  Fold up the edges so that it forms a semi circle, and almost simultaneously, fold down the sides of the semi-circle to create an upside down u.  Place in an empty egg carton and let harden.  Repeat with the rest of the batter.