What Are Lady Fingers?

Even though they sound like they could be a Halloween treat (I mean, how did they separate from the hand in the first place?) lady fingers or, in British English, sponge fingers, are sweet sponge cake biscuits. They get their name by appearing roughly the same shape as fingers. Big, uniformly thick fingers. 

Classically used as a layer in tiramisu, trifles, and charlottes (a kind of bread pudding), lady fingers (or ladyfingers) are the perfect cookie for soaking up syrups. But you can (and should) eat them on their own as well. 

But there’s more to lady fingers than that. Let’s get to it. 

What are lady fingers made of?

Lady fingers are made from eggs (both the yolks and whipped whites), granulated and powdered sugar, vanilla, cream of tartar, flour, cornstarch, and salt. Also, it doesn’t hurt to make them with a little love, too. Oh, and cinnamon. 

Are lady fingers soft?

Lady fingers have more in common with a lot of cakes than they do cookies in the American sense of the treat—they’re pretty much just tiny sponge cakes. So yes, they are typically quite soft and chewy—especially when they’re made fresh. However, store-bought lady fingers are often much drier and crunchier.

Where are lady fingers in the grocery store?

Looking for lady fingers to make your next tiramisu masterpiece? You can find them in the cookie, snack, or bakery section of the grocery store. Also, they’re sometimes out in the alleyways behind Italian restaurants, enjoying a romantic spaghetti dinner with a “Tramp finger.” 

Are lady fingers gluten free?

Unfortunately, most varieties of store bought lady fingers are not gluten free (they’re usually made with all purpose flour). Luckily, there are certain brands out there, such as Schär, which cater specifically to the gluten intolerant, and they offer a line of lady fingers that are made without gluten. 

If you’re looking for a dainty cookie, you can’t do much better than a lady finger. Until they invent lady thumbs, of course. That would finally complete the entire Lady Hand Cookie-verse. Pretty cool!