Ladyfingers from scratch are easy to make with ingredients you already have on hand. Eggs, sugar, flour, and baking powder.
Packaged Ladyfingers are often full of preservatives and not always easily available. Ladyfingers from Scratch are actually very easy to make. You probably already have the ingredients on-hand and these are just perfect for making Tiramisu.
What are ladyfingers?
Ladyfingers are a sponge-type of cookie that is often used in trifles tiramisu. They’re typically soaked in some sort of sugar syrup or liqueur, and usually coffee or espresso for tiramisu.
Ingredients in ladyfingers from scratch-
Ladyfingers are a simple recipe using eggs, a small amount of sugar, all-purpose flour, and baking powder for leavening.
How to store ladyfingers-
Homemade ladyfingers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for two or three days. They also freeze well and may be frozen for up to two months in an airtight container.
Ladyfingers From Scratch - Perfect For Tiramisu
Ingredients
- 4 eggs, separated
- 2 Tablespoons + ⅔ cup white sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Fit large pastry bag with a plain ½ inch round tube. If you don't have one, just cut off the end of a Ziploc bag.
- Place egg whites in a bowl and beat on high until soft peaks start to form. Don't over beat the egg whites.
- Slowly add 2 Tablespoons sugar and continue beating until stiff and glossy.
- In another bowl, beat 4 egg yolks and remaining ⅔ cup sugar.
- Whip until thick and very pale in color.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup flour and ½ teaspoon baking powder.
- Fold half the egg whites into the egg yolk mixture.
- Fold in flour, and then add the remaining egg whites.
- Transfer mixture to the pastry bag (or Ziploc bag) and pipe strips that look like ladyfingers onto the prepared baking sheet (make them about 6 inches long).
- Bake for 8 minutes.
Slightly adapted from The Cupcake Project.
Love, this recipe along with the tiramisu recipe are love. I’ve been making this a couple times a year since I found this in 2020. I’ve always had flat cookies but it never bothered anyone or made the final product less delicious. I just had no clue what I was doing wrong until someone noted over whipped eggs white could do it. Lucky for me I’m making this again tonight for a get together tomorrow. Lady fingers crossed they perk up a bit 😂
Hi Dana, thanks for this great comment! It means a lot to me that you’ve been using this recipe for so long and I’m glad you found what might be the solution to ensure perfect lady fingers. I’ll post a note on the recipe as a tip for success. 🙂
SO GOOD! not at all hard to make, just requires lots of bowls and patience. Also I didn’t cook them as long.
THANKS!
Thanks Elisa! I’m so glad they turned out for you and appreciate you taking the time to comment. 🙂
Tried your recipe.. Turned out fine.. In my country, it is not easy to get these products.. So i made lady finger with your recipe and mascarpone cheese with another recipe.. Keeping fingers crossed.. Today making tiramisu.. I dont know how it will turn out.. Anyway thanks for your recipe, so that i could try tiramisu
Zubaida, I’m so glad they worked out for you. I don’t know if you’re using my tiramisu recipe but I highly recommend it. Thank you for commenting.
Sorry, Totally mine one were FLAT !
Hi Yuri, I’m sorry yours did not turn out as expected. 🙁
My son requested Tiramisu for his birthday this weekend. I don’t like using anything store bought or from a mix. I can’t wait to make these Lady Fingers!
Excellent, Rachael! Let me know how it turns out for you. I’m with you, I don’t like using store bought or mix ingredients either. Homemade is best!
I just did my first attempt. I think I over-whipped the whites. They taste great, but they were very flat. Not bad for my first ever try. Not going to beat myself up over it.
This is why I did a test batch today. I have Tues and Thurs to do other attempts before making the Tiramisu Saturday!
Rachael, I’ve had mine turn out a little flat before as well but they still taste fabulous and work well in the tiramisu. If I could offer a little advice when you make your finished tiramisu, I recommend making it a full two days before serving. Everytime I make mine, it is so much better a couple days after construction when all the ingredients have time to really incorporate together. Thanks again for including my recipe in the special birthday preparations!
Hey! I made these per your recipe & they were great! Thanks for posting this.
What do you think about sprinkling confectioners sugar on them before baking? I saw a savoiardi recipe that added that & I was curious.
Hello Lisann I’m glad the ladyfingers turned out for you. I’m not sure if the powdered sugar would get absorbed into the ladyfingers if you add it before baking but it’s worth giving it a try. Thanks for stopping by and let me know it you do it. I’m interested as well.
Hi I love this recipe but mine turned out a little flat:/ could I still use them for tiramisu? Thanks!
Hi Sheila, Mine go flat from time to time and they’re still fine to use.
These are awesome! Just made them for tiramisu! Thank you so much!
I’m glad they turned out for you Shahrin! 🙂
Hi! I made these today but when i took them out of the oven they were soft. Is that normal? I was planning on using them for tiramisu. will it come out soggy?? Please let me know asap!
Hi Katelyn, Mine are soft every time and they’re fine. Just don’t soak them too long. When you layer the mascarpone and whipped cream over the ladyfingers and refrigerate, it’ll hold everything together.
what do you do for frosting
Virginia, I have always used these in the tiramisu recipe that is shown in the post. They would be used in place of store-bought lady fingers in any recipe that requires them.
They turned out great.
So easy
This is a wonderful recipe! Super easy and they turned out perfectly. Thanks a million!
BS, I’m glad you liked them. Thanks for visiting! 🙂
Great recipe! I can never find ladyfingers where I live. Pinning!