Light, airy, and delicately sweet, these homemade Italian Savoiardi are the perfect sponge cookies for tiramisu, dipping in coffee, or enjoying on their own. With just a few simple ingredients and classic Italian technique, you’ll create bakery-quality ladyfingers right at home.
Prep Time20 minutesmins
Cook Time15 minutesmins
Total Time35 minutesmins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Italian ladyfingers, ladyfinger recipe, sponge cookies
Preheat oven to 340℉. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
Start by separating the egg yolk from the egg whites. Place the egg whites and half of the sugar in a stand mixer (or hand mixer) with a whisk attachment. Start on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually increase to high speed. Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
Mix the egg yolks, vanilla, and remaining sugar until combined. Add egg yolk mixture to the egg whites, a little at a time, until completely incorporated. Do not over mix.
Sift in the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and incorporate well. Careful not to over mix the batter.
Then, spoon the sponge cake batter to a piping bag or pastry bag with a wide tip. Pipe the batter onto prepared baking sheets lined with parchment paper. I use a standard cookie sheet.
Squeeze out 4"/8 cm strips onto the baking tray, keep them a few inches apart. Bake about 15 minutes until well risen and golden. Remove from oven and let cool on a cooking rack. Mangia! (eat!)
Notes
Use a completely clean bowl when whipping the egg whites. Even a small amount of grease or egg yolk can prevent them from reaching stiff peaks.
Whip the egg whites to stable stiff peaks so they provide enough structure for the airy cookies.
Fold gently when adding the yolks and dry ingredients to avoid deflating the batter.
Pipe evenly sized strips so the Savoiardi bake at the same rate.
Watch the cookies closely toward the end of baking because their size and oven temperature can affect how quickly they brown.