This is a light gluten free meringue biscuit full of hazelnuts and almonds. This recipe originates from northern Italy. The outside is crisp just like a good meringue, while the inside is deliciously chewy.
I have made these cookies twice, and they are always well-received. I opted not to skin the hazelnuts at all - it adds more healthy fiber to the cookies. Cooking the batter long enough for it to be slightly firm will help the cookies bake up taller and not spread out. Adding cinnamon is also quite good. - 24 Sep 2007 (Review from Allrecipes US | Canada)
I think this recipe is great, so simple yet very tasty. I have tasted a similar version from one of our local Italian bakeries, and had been searching for this recipe forever. I have added melted chocolate to the batter and it turned out quite well. Unlike the previous poster, my cookies didn't spread at all, which to me is wrong as I think they actually SHOULD come out flat and thin. As to the skinless hazelnuts, I chopped mine in half, in anticipation of the cookies coming out flat, and roasted them in the oven, and the skin just peeled right off. If you like nutty cookies, this is a must try. - 19 May 2001 (Review from Allrecipes US | Canada)
I was a bit disapointed in the height of the cookies, I thought they would have baked higher rather than flat. It also took alot longer than I had anticipated, since it was difficult to located filbert nuts NOT in the skin. I would have hoped for a more almond, paste tasting center. - 17 Nov 2000 (Review from Allrecipes US | Canada)