LADY FINGERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Line two baking sheets with parchment or wax paper.
• Beat the yolks and 1/2 cup sugar on high for 5 minutes until ribbons fall from beater.
• Lower speed and beat in vanilla and water.
• Increase speed and beat for 30 seconds to thicken.
• Sift the flour over this and set aside, without mixing.
• In another bowl, beat egg whites until foamy, then add cream of tartar.
• Beat until soft peaks form.
• Gradually beat in remaining 1/4 cup sugar.
• Continue beating until stiff peaks form.
• Add 1/3 of the whites to the yolk bowl and fold until all the flour is incorporated.
• Gently fold in remaining whites.
• Working quickly to avoid deflation, scoop 4 cups into a large pastry bag with a 3/4 tip.
• Pipe 3 inch by 1 1/2 inch'fingers' 1/4 inch apart.
• They will attach during baking.
• Be sure and let the batter fall from the tip, rather than pressing onto the sheet.
• If you are making a bottom for a cheesecake, pipe a spiral, ending at about 10 inches in diameter.
• Sift the powdered sugar over- the batter will absorb some.
• Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until springy to the touch.
• Remove to racks and cool slightly.
• Remove from parchment with long spatula while still warm.
• Or invert disc onto towel-covered rack and reinvert back to plain rack.