Easy Lady Fingers Recipe

A recipe for homemade ladyfingers, also known as sponge fingers or savoiardi biscuits. Ladyfingers are light and delicate, finger-shaped cookies that are commonly used in desserts like tiramisu, charlottes, and trifle.

Ingredients:

• 4 large eggs, separated
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup cake flour
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks with half of the granulated sugar until thick and pale yellow. This may take a few minutes.
3. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with the salt until foamy. Gradually add the remaining granulated sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
4. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the egg yolk mixture, being careful not to deflate the mixture too much.
5. Sift the cake flour into the egg mixture in small batches. Fold gently after each addition until the flour is well incorporated.
6. Add the vanilla extract and fold it into the batter.
7. Transfer the batter to a piping bag fitted with a round tip (about 1/2-inch diameter).
8. Pipe the batter onto the prepared baking sheets in finger-shaped strips, about 3-4 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. Leave some space between each ladyfinger as they will expand slightly during baking.
9. Dust the tops of the ladyfingers with powdered sugar (optional).
10. Bake in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes or until the ladyfingers are golden brown and firm to the touch.
11. Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the ladyfingers cool on a wire rack.
12. Once cooled, gently remove the ladyfingers from the baking sheets and use them in your desired recipe or store them in an airtight container for later use.

Homemade ladyfingers are a versatile and delicious addition to various desserts. They can be enjoyed on their own or used as a base for layered desserts like tiramisu. Enjoy your homemade ladyfingers!