What is an empty Italian cornetto called?

An empty Italian cornetto is called a cornetto vuoto.

The Italian word vuoto means “empty” or “plain,” so cornetto vuoto identifies a cornetto served without a sweet filling. It is a familiar breakfast choice in Italian bars, often eaten alongside an espresso or cappuccino.

Being “empty” does not necessarily mean completely unadorned. A plain cornetto may still be brushed with egg yolk for a golden surface and sprinkled with powdered sugar or other toppings. The dough itself typically contains flour, butter, eggs, water, and sugar.

Cornetti are also frequently filled after baking or during preparation. Popular fillings include crema pasticciera, apricot jam, and chocolate cream. Those versions are still cornetti, but cornetto vuoto specifically signals the unfilled variety. The term should not be confused with names describing temperature, sweetness, or a filled pastry.