What Are Lady Fingers?

Ladyfingers are long, lightly flavored cookies. The name stems from the cookie's resemblance to a thin finger. Ladyfingers are available commercially packaged, but can be homemade by piping batter through a pastry bag to achieve the signature shape.

Identification

Ladyfingers are also called Biscuits à la cuillère, sponge biscuits, Savoiardi and Naples biscuits.

Features

The main ingredients in ladyfingers are eggs, sugar, flour and vanilla extract. The eggs yolks and whites are separated and mixed into the batter at different times. It's mixed that way so that it ultimately has a enough air to form a spongy texture.

Size

Bakers use a pastry bag to squeeze the ladyfinger batter into precise strips that are 3 inches long and a 1/2-inch wide. If they are any larger, they will not have the correct texture or appearance after baking.

Benefits

Since ladyfingers have a hearty, absorbent texture, they hold up well and do not become soggy when exposed to moisture from sauces, syrups or other flavorful liquids.

Function

Ladyfingers are commonly used in layered desserts. They can be soaked in espresso and layered with mascarpone cheese and cocoa powder to make tiramisu, a traditional Italian dessert. They can also be positioned in a circular dish around jam or cream to make a charlotte, a French dessert.

References

• Fine Cooking Magazine: Ladyfinger Cookies
• Joy of Baking: Ladyfingers