Brutti ma Buoni biscotti also known as ugly but good cookies are just that, well not even that ugly, but absolutely delicious! Made with only four ingredients these gluten free cookies can be eaten by almost everyone.

Cookies on a white tray and 2 on the board.

These Italian cookies are probably one of the most popular cookies sold in bakeries in every town. Made with a meringue base they are the perfect recipe for using up any leftover egg whites from Pastry cream or even Authentic Carbonara. Similar to Amaretti Cookies but the mixture is cooked before baking.

The original recipe for these cookies is taken from my book Authentic Italian Desserts.

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Table of Contents

Recipe Ingredients

Egg whites – just the whites of 2 large eggs
Sugar – granulated sugar
Salt – pinch of salt
Hazelnuts – roasted and finely chopped

In Italy the traditional recipe is made with hazelnuts but if you prefer you could substitute with almonds or even walnuts.

How to Roast Nuts

Place nuts in a single layer on an ungreased baking / cookie sheet. Bake in a pre-heated oven, 5 to 8 minutes or until they are golden brown, remove immediately from the pan to clean bowl to cool. Then finely chop in a blender or food processor.

How to make Brutti ma Buoni

In a stand mixer using the whisk attachment or an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks appear.

Egg whites beaten until stiff in a white bowl.

Add the sugar and salt and beat to combine with the flat beaters.

Adding the sugar and salt and mixed into the stiff egg whites.

Fold in the finely chopped nuts.

The chopped nuts mixed into the mixture.

Transfer the hazelnut mixture to a medium pot and cook on medium-low heat, with a wooden spoon stir the mixture continuously.

The mixture is ready when it becomes a light brown color and has thickened.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and place heaping tablespoons on the prepared baking sheet.

The unbaked cookies on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

Bake in the pre-heated oven. Let cool on the baking sheet 5-10 minutes then move to a wire rack to cool completely.

Sometimes the cookies are drizzled with melted chocolate or you can serve them plain. Either way they are very good.

Why are they called Brutti ma Buoni?

Crispy and irregularly shaped, the name well describes their appearance, uneven and full of cracks. However, this has nothing to do with the taste; ugly but good are, in fact, delicious and slightly chewy, crunchy sweets, ideal to eat as a snack.

The origin of Brutti ma Buoni

The most widespread theory is that they were born in 1878 in Costantino Veniani’s old pastry shop, which was situated in Gavirate, in the province of Varese, in Northern Italy. They were a very popular Christmas cookie but have now become anytime favorite cookie.

How to store the cookies

The cookies should be stored in an airtight container, placing parchment paper between the layer is a good idea so they don’t stick. They will keep for up to 6-7 days at room temperature. Properly stored and they won’t loose their flavour or crispiness.

How to freeze Brutti ma Buoni cookies

Freeze the cookies in a freezer container, be careful because they are a bit fragile. Separating the layers with parchment paper is a good idea. They will keep for 2-3 months in the freezer.

If you are looking for an authentic Italian Cookie recipe then these Brutti ma Buoni are the one for you! Enjoy.