My “nonna” used to make a delicious cookie recipe called “savoiardi”. Savoiardi (better known as ladyfingers abroad) are soft sugar cookies that are very popular in Southern Italy. They are very easy to make and the ingredients can be easily found in most homes, saving a trip to the grocery store. Egg yolks, flour, vanilla bean extract, sugar, baking powder and salt are all the ingredients needed. Because of the egg content, these cookies give a nice energy boost especially on those mornings when you need a nice jump start for the day.

So get you apron out, your cooking trays and start cooking! Leave a window cracked open and very likely you will have your neighbors stop by for a taste since these cookies fill your kitchen with a wonderful aroma. I used to know when grandma made savoiardi even long after they were baked.

Ingredients:

3 large eggs
1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tsp baking powder
1 pinch salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325*. Separate yolks from whites. In a bowl place the yolks along with vanilla extract and sugar and whisk until the mixture becomes much lighter in color. In a separate bowl beat egg whites with pinch of salt until stiff. Gently fold whites into yolks. Add flour and baking powder and blend all together. Place mixture into a pastry bag and line up in 3 inch fingers on baking tray covered with parchment paper. Bake for 15 minutes until golden. Your kitchen should smell great at this time! Enjoy!

*Variations and suggestions:

-You can add cinnamon to the mixture to make it a bit more special.

-You can cover with icing made with confectioner’s sugar and water to make them fancy.

-You can dip them in coffee.

-You can use the cookies to make tiramisu’.