SaurabhLadyfingers make great sweet and quick snacks. However, you can also use them in a variety of desserts such as tiramisu or cakes.
Unfortunately, there are times when ladyfingers can be difficult to find in stores and you might not have the time or the right ingredients to make them at home.
However, there is no need to panic! We found the best substitutes for ladyfingers that you can use in your desserts right away!
Substitutes for ladyfingers include biscotti, sponge cake, Margherita cookies, pound cake, panettone, pavesini cookies, biscuits, wafers, waffles, or madeleine.
Let’s look at these substitutes closer and see how you can make the best of them.
Best Substitutes for Lady Fingers
You will have to use the following substitutes according to your preferences and the dish you are preparing. Don’t be surprised if you find some of them to be even better options for your dessert than ladyfingers
1. Biscotti
One of the best alternatives to ladyfingers is biscotti.
This substitute is very popular in Italy and it is made of eggs, butter, flour, sugar, and oil. Many times you will find biscotti flavored with almonds which gives them an interesting taste.
They have a similar, dry texture to ladyfingers. The flavor is also very similar. You can use biscotti in almost any type of dessert that calls for ladyfingers even if they have a slightly different shape
2. Sponge cake
If you would like a lighter substitute for ladyfingers, sponge cake might be just what you need. You can make a sponge cake at home as all you need is flour, eggs, milk, and sugar.
You can also give it the shape you want to use in your recipe. Use this substitute in recipes such as tiramisu and tarts. But you can also enjoy it plain, along with a beverage of your choice.
3. Margherite cookies
Another great alternative to ladyfingers is Margherita cookies.
You can find these cookies in many supermarkets but they are more common in Europe as they originate in Italy. However, they resemble biscuits more than cakes. You can use them in any type of recipe that asks for ladyfingers.
You can find them at decent prices and you can definitely get creative with them in the kitchen.
4. Poundcake
For those of you who need a replacement for ladyfingers that come with a more cakey texture, we recommend the pound cake.
This type of cake contains flour, sugar, butter, and eggs. And you can find it already made of you can prepare it at home. Pound cakes come in different textures, some are light and very fluffy while others are denser.
Pound cakes tend to have a neutral flavor, so you can use any type of topping you want.
5. Panettone
Panettone is another popular Italian cake that can replace ladyfingers in almost all your recipes. It makes for a delicious snack by itself as well, if you don’t want to use it as an ingredient in your dessert.
This type of sweetbread is traditional for Christmas time in Italy and it became popular in other European countries as well. It comes in a cylindrical shape and you can slice it in the size you need for your cake or tiramisu as well as other types of desserts.
6. Pavesini cookies
Pavesini cookies are so similar to ladyfingers that you might actually find it difficult to tell the difference. However, they have a low content of protein and fat which gives them a slightly different taste and texture as well.
They make a perfect substitute for ladyfingers in tiramisu. But you will love to enjoy them along with your favorite drink or with a delicious topping as well.
7. Biscuits
Biscuits can help you when it comes to making different delicious desserts. You can use them in cakes, you can ground them down to make a base or layer for your dessert. Or you can use them in creams along with other liquid ingredients and toppings.
Biscuits can’t substitute ladyfingers in all types of recipes. However, they can still match most of the needs you will come across when you need to replace the doughy side of your dessert.
8. Wafers
Wafers can be plain or filled with different flavorings such as chocolate or vanilla.
You can use wafers instead of ladyfingers. However, make sure you do that in recipes that don’t require a lot of syrup because they can lose their crispy texture and become mushy.
If you use wafers in desserts with thicker toppings such as different creams, you will definitely be impressed. Furthermore, like most of the substitutes on today’s list, you can also eat wafers plain since they can make a delicious snack on their own.
9. Waffles
Waffles are popular worldwide but did you know that you can use them instead of ladyfingers as well? They can successfully replace ladyfingers in both cakes or tiramisu and other types of desserts. And you might even prefer to use waffles than ladyfingers in the future.
Waffles can be purchased plain or with different flavorings. They can make for a tasty breakfast as well, along with some toppings of your choice.
They are easy to find in stores and come at reasonable prices too.
10. Madeleines
Madeleines are considered a great snack to go with your favorite tea or coffee. But can you use them instead of ladyfingers? You might be surprised to know that yes, you can.
Essentially, madeleines consist of sponge cake so you can use them just like you would use any other type of sponge cake, and they come in already set shapes that you can easily cut in two or more pieces to fit your recipe best.
These cakes are original from France and they can work great as a substitute for ladyfingers in different desserts, including tiramisu.
Can You Substitute Madeleines For Ladyfingers In Tiramisu?
You can use madeleines instead of ladyfingers in tiramisu with no concerns and you might even prefer them once you give it a try.
You will not even need to cut your madeleines. Just use them just in the shape they come. They are thicker than ladyfingers. But they will mix perfectly with your cream and you will absolutely love the sponge cake texture.
When you replace ladyfingers with madeleines in tiramisu, follow the recipe just as it comes. You don’t need to make any other adjustments to end up with a delicious dessert!
What Flavor Are Ladyfingers?
Ladyfingers are usually plain. They come with no distinguishing flavor, other than the one of sugar which is the most pregnant taste.
Their neutral flavor is what makes them versatile and easy to use in plenty of desserts. However, you can flavor them with syrup. If you make them at home you can also add different toppings.
Good Substitute For Ladyfingers Tiramisu
One of the best substitutes for ladyfingers in tiramisu is madeleines. They will offer you a very similar taste and texture, in spite of their different shapes.
You can also use sponge cake of any kind and pavesini cookies which look and taste very similar to ladyfingers.
Crispy Ladyfingers Recipe
If you want to make ladyfingers at home, here is one of the best recipes that you can use!
You will need four eggs, separated, 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar as well as 2/3 cup of granulated sugar, half a teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 cup of flour. The best flour to use is all-purpose flour.
Beat the egg whites along with the 2 tablespoons of sugar until they become glossy and thick. You will need a mixer for this step.
In a different container, use the mixer to beat the egg yolks with the rest of your granulated sugar until you obtain a thick texture.
In a third bowl, mix the baking powder with the flour. It will help you if you choose this bowl in a bigger size so that you can use it to mix all your dough ingredients.
Add the whites and the yolks that you previously mixed with sugar into the flour bowl gradually and keep mixing to maintain a soft texture.
Put the ladyfingers in shapes in the oven. Let them bake for 8 minutes at a temperature of 400 degrees F.
Take them out of the oven and allow your ladyfingers to cool down completely before you serve them plain or use them in your dessert.
Final Thoughts
If you enjoy preparing your own desserts, you should have ladyfingers at hand at all times. You can also try our recipe and make your own ladyfingers. It is very easy and you will never have to worry about purchasing ladyfingers again!
