Italian Hazelnut Cookies

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These crispy cookies are made with Piedmontese staples--hazelnuts and eggs--and called Brutti Ma Buoni: literally, “Ugly But Good.” But they are really more plain-looking than “ugly,” and pack a powerful, sweet, nutty burst of flavor, making them welcome at any table.

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Cook Time:
15 mins
Additional Time:
1 hr 45 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs
Servings:
30
Yield:
about 2 1/2 dozen cookies

Ingredients

  • 2 cups hazelnuts, toasted and skinned (see Tip)

  • 1 ¼ cups sugar

  • 4 large egg whites

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Position 2 racks as close to the center of the oven as possible; preheat to 325 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats.

  2. Pulse nuts and sugar in a food processor until finely ground. Scrape into a large bowl.

  3. Beat egg whites and salt in another large bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the egg whites into the nut mixture. Add vanilla and gently but thoroughly mix until combined.

  4. Drop the batter by the tablespoonful 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.

  5. Bake the cookies until golden brown, switching the pans back to front and top to bottom halfway through, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. Gently transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. When the baking sheets are thoroughly cooled, repeat with the remaining batter.

Tips

Make Ahead Tip: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Equipment: Parchment paper or nonstick baking mats

Tip: Toast whole hazelnuts on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, 7 to 9 minutes. Let the nuts cool for a few minutes, then rub together in a clean kitchen towel to remove most of the papery skins.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

92 Calories
6g Fat
10g Carbs
2g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 30
Serving Size 1 cookie
Calories 92
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 10g 4%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 9g
Added Sugars 8g 16%
Protein 2g 4%
Total Fat 6g 7%
Saturated Fat 0g 2%
Vitamin A 2IU 0%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Folate 10mcg 3%
Sodium 46mg 2%
Calcium 11mg 1%
Iron 0mg 2%
Magnesium 15mg 4%
Potassium 69mg 1%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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