LADYFINGER, FRANCE

11th CENTURY

 

OTHER NAMES: Boudoir biscuits, sponge biscuits, sponge fingers, Naples biscuits, Savoy biscuits (Savoiardi) and biscuits a la cuiller. [1]

 

From the oval shape, this cookie is name after its appearance like a large finger. It can be a cookie-sized sponge cake or it can be a crispy cookie. It is light, and it can be sweet or savory. [2]

 

Its origin came from the House of Savoy in the eleventh century France. Historians seem to think that the recipe was carried throughout Europe by the marriages of the descendents of Bertha of Savoy (1051-1081) to the royalty of Europe. [3]

 

Today, the recipe remains very similar to traditional one; additionally, it is typical to use Ladyfinger to prepare desserts like trifles, charlottes, and tiramisu. [4]

 

BASIC INGREDIENTS:

egg whites, egg yolks, sugar, flour

optional: powdered sugar, flavoring