Savoiardi
/sah-voy-AR-dee/also called ladyfingers
Savoiardi, better known as ladyfingers, are light, dry, finger-shaped sponge biscuits built on a whisked egg foam. Crisp on the shelf, they drink up liquid quickly, which is what makes them the classic base for tiramisu, charlottes, and other layered, soaked desserts.
What it is
A savoiardo is a simple sponge of whisked eggs, sugar, and flour, piped into slender fingers, dusted with sugar, and baked dry. That dryness is the point: it lets the biscuit soak up coffee or syrup fast while keeping just enough structure to hold a layer together.
Why it matters for vegetarians
Traditional savoiardi are egg-based through and through, and in India eggs count as non-vegetarian under FSSAI rules. Nearly all packaged ladyfingers contain egg, so vegetarians should read the label and look for the FSSAI green mark rather than the brown one before buying.
The eggless swap
Where a vegetarian or eggless tiramisu is wanted, the ladyfingers are replaced with an eggless sponge that behaves the same way, soaking up coffee while holding the layers. Eggless and vegan variants are available, and a good eggless sponge keeps the soft, soaked texture the dessert depends on.
At Love Made Edible
Our tiramisu cake uses a soaked sponge in place of packaged ladyfingers, which lets us offer an eggless version that keeps the same coffee-drenched, tender layers.
Related terms
From the journal
Frequently Asked Questions
Are ladyfingers vegetarian?
Traditional savoiardi are made with eggs, which are non-vegetarian in India under FSSAI. Most shop-bought ladyfingers contain egg, so vegetarians should check for the green FSSAI mark on the pack or use an eggless sponge instead.
What can replace ladyfingers in tiramisu?
A thin, dry sponge cake works well, as does an eggless sponge for vegetarian versions. What matters is a crumb that soaks up coffee quickly yet holds together, so the layers stay soft without collapsing into mush.
Tastethetechnique
Everything in our kitchen is baked fresh to order — eggless and vegan variants available.