Ladyfingers (biscuits)
Template:Short description Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox food
Ladyfingers or Naples biscuits,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> in British English sponge fingers, also known by the Italian name {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ({{#invoke:IPA|main}}) or by the French name {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ({{#invoke:IPA|main}}), are low-density, dry, egg-based, sweet sponge cake biscuits roughly shaped like large fingers.<ref name="Davidson-2014">Template:Cite book</ref> 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 for the sponge element of tiramisu.<ref name="Better Homes and Gardens 2014"/> They are typically soaked in a sugar syrup or liqueur, or in espresso for tiramisu.<ref name="Parkinson 2005"/>
History
Ladyfingers are said to have originated in the 14th century at the court of the Savoy, and were created to mark the occasion of a visit by the King of France. They were particularly appreciated by the younger members of the court and offered to visitors as an example of the local cuisine.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Preparation
Like other sponge cakes, ladyfingers traditionally contain no chemical leavening agent, and rely on air incorporated into the eggs for their "sponge" texture. Some brands, however, 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 typical sponge cake. The mixture is piped through a pastry bag in short lines onto sheets,<ref name="Better Homes and Gardens 2014"/> giving the biscuits their notable shape.
Before baking, powdered sugar is usually sifted over the top<ref name="Better Homes and Gardens 2014"/> to give a soft crust. The finished ladyfingers are usually layered into a dessert such as tiramisu or trifle.
See also
Template:Commons category-inline Template:Cookbook-inline Template:Portal
References
<references>
<ref name="Better Homes and Gardens 2014">Template:Cite book</ref> <ref name="Parkinson 2005">Template:Cite book</ref>
</references>