Ladyfinger (biscuit)

Ladyfingers, or in British English sponge fingers (sometimes known by their Italian name savoiardi [savoˈjardi] or their French one boudoirs [budwaʁ]), are low density, dry, egg-based, sweet sponge biscuits roughly shaped like a large finger. They are a principal ingredient in many dessert recipes, such as trifles and charlottes, and are also used as fruit or chocolate gateau linings, and sometimes for the sponge element of tiramisu.[1] They are typically soaked in a sugar syrup or liqueur, or in coffee or espresso for the dessert tiramisu.[2] Plain ladyfingers are commonly given to infants, being soft enough for teething mouths, but easy to grasp and firm enough not to fall apart.

This article is about the biscuit. For the pod vegetable, see Okra.
Ladyfinger
Ladyfingers
Alternative namesSavoiardi, sponge fingers Boudoir
TypeCookie
CourseDessert
Place of originSavoy
Created by15th-century official cuisine of the Duchy of Savoy (may pre-date in vernacular cuisine)
Main ingredientsFlour, egg whites, egg yolks, sugar, powdered sugar

History
Ladyfingers in transparent plastic packages

Ladyfingers originated in the late 15th century at the court of the Duchy of Savoy and were created to mark the occasion of a visit by the King of France. Later they were given the name Savoiardi and recognized as an "official" court biscuit. They were particularly appreciated by the young members of the court and offered to visitors as a symbol of the local cuisine.

Name

They have gained many regional names:

  • In Argentina: vainillas
  • In Australia: "sponge fingers"
  • In Austria: Biskotte
  • In Bosnia, Croatia, and Serbia: piškote/piškoti
  • In Brazil: bolacha/biscoito champagne ("champagne biscuits")
  • In Bulgaria: bishkoti (бишкоти)
  • In Canada: "ladyfingers"
  • In Catalonia and Balearic Islands: melindro
  • In Chile: galletas de champaña ("champagne biscuits")
  • In China: shǒuzhǐ bǐnggān (手指饼干, "finger biscuits")
  • In Colombia: lenguas ("tongues", after their form)
  • In Cuba: bizcocho
  • In the Czech Republic: dlouhé piškoty ("long sponge biscuits") or cukrářské piškoty ("confectioner's biscuits")
  • In France: boudoirs or biscuits à la cuillère ("spoon cookies/biscuits") or biscuits champagne
  • In Germany: Löffelbiskuits ("spoon cookies/biscuits")
  • In Greece: savouayiár (σαβουαγιάρ, a Frenchified adaptation of the Italian name)
  • In Hungary: babapiskóta ("baby sponge cake")
  • In Indonesia: kue lidah kucing ("cat's tongue cookies")
  • In Iran: latifeh (لطیفه‎)
  • In Israel: biskot (בישקוט)
  • In Italy: savoiardi
  • In Macedonia: biskviti (бисквити)
  • In Mexico: soletas ("little soles")
  • In Flanders and the Netherlands: lange vingers ("long fingers")
  • In the Philippines: broas or broa (Spanish for some more nutritive types of bread, sometimes misspelled as brojas); variants include camachile and lengua de gato
  • In Poland: kocie języczki ("cats' little tongues") or biszkopty[3] ("sponge cakes/biscuits")
  • In Portugal: biscoitos de champanhe ("champagne biscuits") or palitos la reine
  • In Romania: pișcoturi
  • In Russia: damskiye pal'chiki (дамские пальчики, "lady's fingers")
  • In Slovakia: cukrárske piškóty ("Konditor's biscuits")
  • In Slovenia: bebi piškoti ("baby cookies")
  • In South Africa: sold as "boudoir biscuits", but best known as "finger biscuits"
  • In Spain: bizcochos de soletilla ("little sole biscuits")
  • In Turkey: kedi dili ("cat's tongue")
  • In the United Kingdom: "sponge-fingers", "boudoir biscuits", "baby biscuits", "savoy biscuits" or "boudoir fingers"
  • In the United States: "ladyfingers"[4]
  • In Uruguay and Venezuela: plantillas ("little plants")

Preparation
Close-up view of a Vicenzovo-brand Italian ladyfinger

Like other sponge cakes, ladyfingers traditionally contain no chemical leavening agent, and rely on air incorporated into the eggs for their "sponge" texture. However, some brands contain ammonium bicarbonate. The egg whites and egg yolks mixed with sugar are typically beaten separately and folded together with flour. They contain more flour than the average sponge cake. The mixture is piped through a pastry bag in short lines onto sheets,[1] giving the biscuits their notable shape.

Before baking, powdered sugar is usually sifted over the top[1] to give a soft crust. The finished ladyfingers are usually layered into a dessert such as tiramisu or trifle.

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References
  1. The Ultimate Cookie Book. Better Homes and Gardens Ultimate Series. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. 2014. p. 169. ISBN 978-0-544-33929-3. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  2. Parkinson, A. (2005). Italian Desserts. A. Parkinson. p. 63. ISBN 978-1-4116-4464-9. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  3. Biszkopty (Polski) Carrefour. Poland.
  4. Sinclair, Charles (1 January 2009). "Dictionary of Food: International Food and Cooking Terms from A to Z". A&C Black – via Google Books.

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