Basic Ladyfingers Recipes

Steps:

• Draw three 8 1/2-inch circles and four rows 3 1/2 inches wide on parchment paper; place on baking trays; set aside. Prepare a large pastry bag with a 1/2-inch tip, and set aside.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Using an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the yolks and 11 tablespoons sugar on high speed until mixture is thick and pale, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the flour, and fold in gently; set aside. Using the electric mixer, whisk the egg whites until frothy. While whisking, gradually add the remaining tablespoon sugar; beat until stiff, 1 to 2 minutes. Fold 1/3 of the whites into the reserved yolk mixture to lighten, then fold in the remaining whites until just incorporated.
• Using an offset spatula, spread batter evenly inside the circle guides, making circles 1/4 inch thick. Bake in the oven, rotating trays once, until light golden, about 15 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool. While cake rounds are baking, fill pastry bag with remaining batter, and pipe ladyfingers, 1/2 inch thick, between the lines drawn on the parchment paper. Sprinkle ladyfingers generously with confectioners' sugar, and allow the sugar to soak in, about 3 minutes. Place in the oven, and bake, rotating trays once, until light golden, 15 to 18 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool. Once cake rounds and ladyfingers are cool, remove from parchment paper.

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.

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.