Savoiardi I

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line three jelly roll pans with parchment paper. Prepare a pastry bag with a size 6 tip (1/2 inch).

Separate the eggs. Whisk the egg yolks with 1/2 of the sugar and all of the vanilla. Beat until very light colored. This will take about 5 minutes.

In a clean bowl beat the egg whites until they hold soft peaks. While beating slowly add the salt and the remaining sugar until combined. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the egg yolk mixture.

Sift the flour over the egg mixture and gently fold it in.

Fill the pastry with half of the batter and pipe 3 1/2 inch fingers 1 1/2 inches apart in rows on the parchment paper. Continue with the second half of the batter in the same manner.

Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for about 15 minutes until firm to the touch and golden. Remove the paper and fingers from the baking sheet and place on racks to cool. After cooling remove fingers from the paper and use or store between layers of wax paper in a airtight container. These freeze well.