🍨 Vanilla Cream Ladyfinger Cups
A light and elegant no-bake dessert made with layers of soft ladyfinger biscuits, creamy vanilla pastry cream (or whipped vanilla pudding), and optionally topped with fruit, cocoa, or chocolate. Perfect for individual servings!
📝 Ingredients (for about 4–6 cups)
🥄 For the Vanilla Cream:
• 2 cups (500 ml) milk
• 1 egg yolk (optional, for richness)
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
(Alternatively: You can use 1 pack of instant vanilla pudding + 2 cups of milk.)
🍪 For the Layers:
• 12–15 ladyfinger biscuits (savoiardi or "kedi dili")
• ½ cup milk or sweetened coffee (for dipping)
• Optional: 1 tbsp sugar or vanilla in the dipping liquid
🍓 For Garnish (optional):
• Cocoa powder
• Crushed biscuits
• Strawberries, raspberries, or banana slices
• Shaved chocolate or chocolate sauce
• Mint leaves
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Vanilla Cream:
1 In a saucepan, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, flour, and egg yolk (if using).
2 Gradually add milk while whisking to avoid lumps.
3 Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened.
4 Remove from heat, stir in butter and vanilla.
5 Let cool slightly. You can press plastic wrap onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming.
2. Assemble the Cups:
1 Lightly dip ladyfingers in milk or coffee — don’t soak them too long or they’ll get mushy.
2 Break them into pieces to fit inside dessert cups.
3 Layer as follows:
◦ A few pieces of dipped ladyfinger
◦ A spoonful of vanilla cream
◦ Repeat layers until the cup is full (usually 2 layers of each)
4 Smooth the top and decorate as desired.
3. Chill:
• Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight) to let flavors meld and cream set.
🍴 Serving Suggestions
• Dust with cocoa or powdered sugar just before serving.
• Add fruit on top for freshness.
• Serve cold.