Lady Fingers Recipes

HOMEMADE LADY FINGERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 2 baking sheets with 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons of flour. Mark parallel lines in the flour across the width of the tray about 4 inches apart. Put the eggs and sugar in a large mixing bowl, and with an electric mixer fitted with a wire whisk beat on medium-high speed until the mixture is pale yellow, thick, and has tripled in volume, about 8 minutes, using the mixer. Add the egg whites, remaining 3/4 cup flour, salt and vanilla, fold to mix thoroughly so the mixture is smooth. Fill a large pastry bag with a 3/4-inch plain tube with the mixture. Pipe fingers about 4 1/2-inches in length on to the baking sheet, using the lines as a guide. Dust the ladyfingers with powdered sugar. Bake until for 15 to 18 minutes, or until just firm on the outside and soft in the center.

LADYFINGERS FOR TIRAMISU

Steps:

• Draw two 13-by-4-inch rectangular templates on each of two pieces of parchment paper; place on rimmed baking sheets; set aside. Prepare a large pastry bag with a 1/2-inch tip, and set aside.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk yolks, 10 tablespoons granulated sugar, and vanilla using high speed on an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, until mixture is thick and pale, 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually add flour, folding in gently; set aside. Using electric mixer, whisk egg whites until frothy. While whisking, gradually add remaining 1 tablespoon sugar; beat until stiff, 1 to 2 minutes. Fold 1/3 of whites into reserved yolk mixture to lighten, then fold in remaining whites until just incorporated.
• Fill pastry bag with batter, and pipe ladyfingers, 1/2 inch thick, between the short lines drawn on parchment paper. Using a fine mesh sieve, generously dust ladyfingers with confectioners' sugar, and allow the sugar to soak in, about 3 minutes. Place in oven and bake, rotating trays once, until light golden, 15 to 18 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool and dry out slightly, at least 2 hours. Remove from parchment paper.

HOMEMADE LADYFINGERS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy. Gradually add 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved, about 6 minutes; set aside. , In another bowl, beat egg yolks with remaining sugar for 3 minutes or until thick and lemon colored; add water and extracts. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; stir into yolk mixture. Fold in egg white mixture., Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic bag; insert round tip #12. Spoon batter into bag. Pipe 3-1/2-in.-long lines 2 in. apart onto a greased and floured baking sheet. , Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to a wire rack; cool completely. Cover and freeze for up to 1 month., To use frozen ladyfingers: Thaw in the refrigerator; dust with confectioners' sugar. Serve as a cookie or use in desserts.

SOFT LADY FINGERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
• Beat yolks with an electric mixer at medium speed until pale yellow, then gradually beat in all but 1 1/2 tablespoons of sugar.
• Beat at medium-high speed until pale yellow, tripled in volume, and thick enough to form a ribbon that takes 5 seconds to dissolve when beater is lifted, 5 to 7 minutes. Sprinkle flour over mixture and stir until just combined (batter will be very stiff).
• Beat egg whites with cleaned beaters until they just hold soft peaks.
• Add remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar in a slow stream, then beat until whites hold stiff peaks.
• Stir one third of whites into yolk mixture to lighten, then fold in remaining whites gently but thoroughly. Spoon batter into pastry bag.
• Line a large baking sheet with parchment, piping a dab of batter under each corner to secure. Pipe 2 rows of (3 1/2-inch-long) ladyfingers (12 to 16 per row) onto sheet, piping them so they almost touch. Dust with confectioners sugar.
• Bake until pale golden, dry, and soft but springy to the touch, 14 to 16 minutes. Cool completely on baking sheet.