COOKIES were first made from little pieces of cake batter that were cooked separately in order to test oven temperature. Cookies can be baked until crisp or just long enough that they remain soft, depending on the type of cookie. Some cookies are not cooked at all. Cookies are made in a wide variety of styles, using an array of ingredients including sugars, spices, chocolate, butter, peanut butter, nuts or dried fruits.
LADYFINGERS (called Savoiardi in Italian, meaning "from Savoy") are light, sweet, sponge cakes roughly shaped like a rather large, fat finger.
They originated in the late 15th century at the court of the Duchy of Savoy, and were created to mark the occasion of a visit of the King of France.
Later they were given the name Savoiardi and recognised as an "official" court cookie. They were particularly appreciated by the young members of the court and offered to visitors as a symbol of the local cuisine. They are the main ingredient of the famous dessert Tiramisu.
AMARETTI are crisp, airy macaroons cookies that are made either with bitter-almond paste or its flavor counterpart apricot-kernel paste. |
