Ladyfinger cookies

🧂 Ingredients

• 3 large eggs

  free range
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup all purpose flour

  sifted
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp lemon zest

  optional
• powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

• 1 Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat to 350°F.
• 2 Line two cookie sheets with baking paper.
• 3 Fit a large piping bag with a 1/2-inch round tip. Roll the bag open and stand
  upright in a tall glass or jar so it can be filled hands-free.
• 4 Separate the eggs, place the yolks in a large bowl and the whites in a stand
  mixer fitted with a whisk attachment.
• 5 Using a hand mixer, whip the egg yolks with half the sugar, until pale and
  fluffy.
• 6 Beat in vanilla extract.
• 7 Fold in the lemon zest (optional) using the silicone spatula.
• 8 Whip the egg whites on medium-high speed, until fluffy. Once light and fluffy,
  slowly add the rest of the sugar while continuing whipping. Whip until stiff
  peaks form. This is crucial as if the foam is unable to hold soft peaks, the
  lady fingers will spread flat in the oven!
• 9 Using a silicone spatula, gently fold in the whipped whites into the yolk fluff,
  taking care not to deflate all of the incorporated air.
• 10 Mix flour with cornstarch and salt using a small whisk.
• 11 Add the flour mix slowly, folding gently with a spatula to combine in a lump
  free batter.
• 12 Transfer to the piping bag, twist to close, and pipe fingers of about 3" x 1",
  leaving 1" between each one. Hold the bag at an angle when pipping and firmly
  lift the bag straight up when finishing pipping.
• 13 Dust the cookies with powdered sugar and bake until puffed and a little golden,
  12 to 15 minutes.
• 14 Bake the second tray in a similar way.
• 15 Cool the cookies completely in the tray, at room temperature.
• 16 Transfer to an airtight container, if not used immediately as they'll begin
  softening in the air.
• 17 Use immediately or store in an airtight container, at room temperature for up to
  3 weeks.

Nutrition Info