What Italian biscuit’s name literally means “ugly but good”?

The Italian biscuit whose name literally means “ugly but good” is brutti ma buoni. The phrase describes the biscuit’s deliberately irregular appearance while praising its flavour.

Brutti ma buoni are generally made by combining whipped egg whites and sugar with roasted chopped hazelnuts, almonds, or both. They are often crisp on the outside and softer in the centre, with variations that may include vanilla, lemon, or bitter almond.

The biscuits are associated with several parts of Italy, including Tuscany and Piedmont. Their exact origin is disputed: Gavirate in Lombardy claims a 19th-century origin, while other traditions connect them with Borgomanero in Piedmont. This regional disagreement does not change the meaning of the name.

They may also be called bruttiboni or mandorlati di San Clemente. They should not be confused with mostaccioli, canestrelli, or baci di dama, which have different recipes, shapes, and histories. The name itself is the key clue: “brutti” means ugly, “ma” means but, and “buoni” means good.