The story goes as such : these biscuits were first created in the kitchens of the Duke of Savoy to honour a visit from the King of France back in the Middle ages . Later they gained popularity and was considered the “official” court biscuit of Savoy! Hence the name Savoiardi! I think they are also called sponge fingers in some parts of the world.
These are simple, sweet biscuits – almost sponge cakes in cookie form. Pretty dry by themselves , they are soaked in some kind of liquor, syrup or coffee before using.
The traditional lady finger biscuits are made with egg whites and yolks , and usually with no leavening. I have made these before and tweaked recipes until i found the simplest version I could. My baking pet peeve is recipes that use an unequal number of yolks and eggs (annoy me to no end!). This particular one uses two eggs or 4 eggs (bigger batch) separated , with some sugar and flour.
Lady fingers or savoiardi
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 50 grams or 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 35 grams or 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 30 grams or 1/3 cups icing sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180 C / 350 F . Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Separate your eggs into whites and yolks. Rest at room temperature.
- Using a whisk or fork, lightly beat the yolk. Keep aside.
- Beat the egg whites until frothy .
- Add the sugar and beat at medium high until firm peaks are formed.
- Add the beaten yolk , a little bit at a time (about 1/2 -1 tsp) and keep beating.
- Sift in the flour and fold gently .
- Fill the batter into a piping bag with a wide (1/2 inch) tip attached or snip of the end of the bag.
- Pipe 2-3 inch lines , keeping about 2 inches space between each line.
- Dust with some icing sugar . Bake at 180 C/ 350 F for 15-18 minutes until lightly brown around the edges.
- Cool on pan and then lift off using spatula. Store in an airtight container immediately.
Notes
If you have a small oven or small baking sheets , you can bake in shifts. The batter holds up fine.
Stored in an airtight container, they can be kept for 10 days or longer.
You know your egg whites are whipped enough when you lift the beaters and the peaks stay upright. If you turn over the bowl, the whipped whites wont move.
Step by step Tutorial:
Eggless lady fingers or savoiardi
Ingredients
- 56 grams or 1/4 cups butter at room temperature
- 50 grams or 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 125 grams or 1 cups all purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 60 ml or 1/4 cups milk at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 30 grams or 1/3 cups icing sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180 C / 350 F . Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the flour, baking powder , milk and vanilla. Beat at low speed until just combined
- Fill the batter into a piping bag with a wide (1/2 inch) tip attached or snip of the end of the bag.
- Pipe 2-3 inch lines , keeping about 2 inches space between each line.
- Dust with some icing sugar . Bake at 180 C/ 350 F for 18-20 minutes until lightly brown around the edges.
- Cool on pan and then lift off using spatula. Store in an airtight container immediately.
Notes
The fingers can be stored in an airtight container for upto 6-7 days.
Step by step Tutorial :
Hey Ambika.. you can do that.. keep an eye on it , bakes up very quick.you could also just pipe close so when they bake, they join. But a sheet pan works fine too !
Hi Akshata, could I bake this like a sheet cake and then cut into fingers? Find it easier that way☺
These are looking soo good,love the fact that you have used the whole egg…will positively try