If you are looking for ladyfingers in the grocery store or online and have no idea where to look, the article below will give you all the information you need.
Ladyfingers are an important ingredient many people use when making desserts such as tiramisu, trifle, cheesecake, and a torte. There are also some substitutes you may replace ladyfingers with in a pinch, without sacrificing the quality of your dessert.
Where Are Ladyfingers in Grocery Store?
Ladyfingers are available in the baking section of grocery stores because they are common ingredients in many desserts.
However, depending on the store’s offerings, you may find ladyfingers in other places.
For example, in some grocery stores, ladyfingers may be available in the cookie and cracker aisle. Though they consist of sponge cake batter, ladyfingers are similar to cookies and might fit the store’s requirements for baked goods. Shelf-available ladyfingers may also be crunchier than other options, which is ideal if you plan to bake with them.
Some stores may position ladyfingers near the produce section, specifically near the fruit. Many recipes call for ladyfingers in desserts like strawberry shortcake, meaning shelf space might make sense near the strawberries and other fresh options.
Since ladyfingers are so versatile, other possible store aisle locations include the frozen goods section (ladyfingers often accompany ice cream) and the bread aisle. You may even find fresh options in the baked goods section if your store has one.
Where to Buy Ladyfingers Near Me
Most stores carry ladyfingers either as a baking ingredient or boxed as a snack or standalone dessert. Fortunately, they’re a common product, so it’s easy to find them on the shelves at regional stores such as:
- Walmart
- Safeway
- Raley’s
- Trader Joe’s
- Whole Foods
Walmart carries crunchier varieties of the cookie, while Trader Joe’s offers a soft option, though this popular in-house brand is hard to find. Stores like Safeway have home bakers in mind and offer unfilled ladyfinger varieties, and organic options are plentiful at Whole Foods.
If you’re looking to bake with ladyfingers or create your own desserts, grocery stores should carry what you’re looking for. However, if you’re looking for ready-made ladyfingers in dessert form, your local bakery may be a better choice.
You can often pick up tiramisu, strawberry shortcake, or other desserts using ladyfingers at local bakeries. If you truly want authenticity, an Italian specialty bakery is an ultimate choice. But most groceries carry ladyfingers, and some even offer the fillable kind.
Depending on what type of dessert (or snack) you plan to make, you may need to narrow down your grocery store search. For example, not all stores carry fillable ladyfingers, but if you have a specific filling in mind, those will be the one variety you need.
Whether you’re looking to buy ladyfingers for tiramisu or you want a ready-to-enjoy snack, you can’t go wrong with either local groceries or chain stores.
How to Buy Ladyfingers Online
When it comes to purchasing fresh ladyfingers bakery-style, you may be out of luck with online shopping. Many grocery stores offer pickup and delivery options, but those are often same-day or require refrigeration packs and an additional cost.
Most online stores that carry ladyfingers offer prepackaged snack versions that don’t require refrigeration. For example, Amazon carries a range of ladyfinger cookie options, including plain ladyfingers, flavored ones, and even ‘authentic Italian’ versions.
If you’re looking to buy ladyfingers online, you can take a look at the following websites:
The only drawback to ordering your cookies online is that they may arrive broken. Because most varieties are crunchy and somewhat brittle, even with proper packaging, they may sustain damage. For most desserts, intact ladyfingers are a priority, so keep that in mind while shopping online.
If you prefer to order another variety of ladyfinger, such as the fresher sponge cake style found next to the strawberries in-store, consider ordering local grocery delivery or pickup. But keep in mind the nature of your recipe (or snacking) since too-soft cakes will become mushier with typical dessert ingredients.
What Can I Get Instead of Ladyfingers?
Maybe you’re having difficulty finding or ordering ladyfingers because you’re in a rural area, or perhaps you would like to try something else to top off your dessert or enjoy with your coffee. Fortunately, there are similar-tasting and textured treats available.
Pound Cake
Everyone loves a good pound cake, and the dessert is easy to find in most stores. If you want to make your own, pound cake has a straightforward recipe; all it takes is a pound each of flour, sugar, and butter.
Sponge Cake
Another alternative to ladyfingers is sponge cakes; they are readily available and have the same ingredients as ladyfingers. You can even substitute sponge cake for ladyfingers in recipes, as long as you trim the cake to fit your needs.
However, fresher sponge cakes may have the wrong texture for some ladyfinger recipes, so check whether you need a dry or wet cake for yours. If you need to dry out a cake for tiramisu or another specific recipe, oven-baking the cake may help achieve the right dryness.
Biscotti
If you’re looking for a snack but can’t find ladyfingers on the shelf, biscotti may be a suitable alternative. Biscotti has a crunchier texture than its softer cousin, but it’s ideal for enjoying with a hot beverage. Unlike regular cookies, biscotti feels more elegant and exotic, the perfect alternative to Italian ladyfingers.
