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Fave dei Morti

Oct 9, 2019 · 18 Comments

Today’s recipe goes by quite a few different names – but, as you’ll see, all of these names share a common theme. I’ve seen these cookies called “Italian Bone Cookies,” “Bones of the Dead Cookies,” and sometimes simply “Dead Bones.” In Italian, you might find these cookies referred to as “Fave dei Morti,” (literally ‘Beans of the Dead’) “Ossi dei Morti” or “L’Ossa Morte.” However, regardless of the precise name, these titles all refer to a single type of cookie that is possessed of a surprisingly uniform list of ingredients, and that only rarely changes its outward appearance.

But What Are They, Really?

1) Day of the Dead Cookies vs Bones of the Dead Cookies. You would assuredly be forgiven for confusing the two if judging solely by their names. However, despite the similarities in the names of these two cookies, that’s where the similarities begin and end. While Bones of the Dead cookies are an All Saints Day confection, they are not intended as a sweet or decadent dessert centerpiece, since they are traditionally served alongside black coffee or demitasse coffee. They also follow a more or less ‘uniform’ list of ingredients, and tend to be ‘austere’ in appearance, as is apropos to All Saints Day celebrations. This is in stark contrast to the more festive appearance of Day of the Dead Cookies, which are served from October 31st to November 2nd, and are intended to be sweet and colorful treats for the entire family, typically in the form of richly decorated skulls. In America, Bones of the Dead Cookies are nevertheless sometimes served at Day of the Dead celebrations, due to the overlapping dates of the two holidays.

2) But they don’t look like bones… The most common shape for these cookies, surprisingly, is as a simple disk of varying depth. However, they can also come ‘biscotti-shaped,’ sometimes as ‘sticks’ or formed into the rough appearance of a tibia, but those are the exception rather than the rule. Again, this is due to the more ‘solemn’ nature of All Saints Day celebrations.

3) Sweet, Semi-Sweet, or Unsweet? These cookies range from semi-sweet to the low end of sweet, depending on preference. However, these cookies should never actually come out tasting ‘sweet,’ since, once again, they are intended as ‘black coffee cookies,’ similar to plain biscotti.

4) Texture – A Tale of Two Contradictions. Unlike biscotti, which should be firm and crisp from top to bottom, or like S-Cookies would be ‘mildly soft,’ the interior of Italian Bones of the Dead Cookies should be ‘tough’ yet ‘chewy.’ On the outside, the cookies should be crisp and tough. However, the cookies shouldn’t ‘snap’ when you break them, but rather crumble on the outside and ‘tear’ in the middle. This gives the cookies a deliciously ‘contradictory’ set of textures.

When To Serve Italian Bones of the Dead Cookies

1) With Black Coffee. At the risk of stating the obvious, these cookies are simply delicious with black coffee. While you can certainly serve them with ‘standard’ coffee from a drip or percolator, these cookies really shine alongside demitasse from a Neapolitan moka express maker.

2) Breakfast Cookies. If you’re so inclined, these cookies could easily take the place of a quick ‘breakfast biscotti.’ As a light bite on a rushed morning, or just as a ‘treat’ after breakfast, these cookies couldn’t be better.

3) As a Side to a Larger Dessert Spread. Like your standard S-Cookies, or Greek Crescent Cookies, which often times see themselves as part of the arrangement of a larger dessert spread, today’s cookies would serve excellently in such a role.

4) Any Time of Year. Yes, these are traditionally served from Halloween through All Saints Day, but trust me when I say that, especially when formed as ‘disks,’ these cookies are perfectly suited to any time of year – much like other ‘black coffee cookies.’

Other Black Coffee Cookie Favorites

1) Biscotti. I mentioned biscotti a few times, here’s my favorite biscotti recipe.

2) S Cookies. No holiday season is complete without a tray of Savoiardi Cookies, and here’s my absolute favorite recipe for precisely that.

Living the Gourmet

Yields 30 cookies

Italian Pignoli Cookies (Fave dei Morti)

10 minPrep Time

10 minCook Time

20 minTotal Time

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5 based on 10 review(s)

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Ingredients

  • 1¼ cups whole unblanched almonds
  • 2/3 cup pine nuts (pignoli)
  • 1¼ cups sugar
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ cup AP flour
  • 2 egg whites

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a food processor, whirl the nuts and pulse until blended down to a fine consistency.
  3. In a large bowl, mix processed nuts, sugar, baking powder, and sugar. Stir in the egg whites and mix until a sticky dough forms.
  4. Shape 1-tablespoon of dough onto the prepared baking sheets and flatten slightly with the back of the back of the spoon. Allow about an inch of space between each cookie as they will expand while baking.
  5. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until pale brown. Cool on a wire rack and store in an airtight container.
7.8.1.2
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https://livingthegourmet.com/2019/10/italian-pignoli-cookies.html

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Enjoy with Love!

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Cookies almonds, cookies, dessert, italian dessert, pignoli nuts, pine nuts

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sara Welch says

    09/10/2019 at 10:46 pm

    What a great recipe! Looking forward to baking these a little later this week!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  2. Kelly Anthony says

    09/10/2019 at 10:54 pm

    I love a breakfast cookie with my black coffee in the morning and these look like the perfect way to start the day.
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  3. Jamie says

    09/10/2019 at 11:04 pm

    These cookies have such great flavor from the pine nuts! This recipe is a definite keeper!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  4. Sapana says

    09/10/2019 at 11:22 pm

    These turned out amazing! And I love the simplicity of the ingredients -- things I already had in stock. Can't wait to make them for a party this weekend!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Catherine Pappas says

      11/10/2019 at 12:37 am

      Dear Sapana, thank you so much for visiting, and I am so glad that you liked the cookies. I grew up with them so they hold so many dear memories for me. I thank you again for visiting and trying my recipe. xo
      Reply
  5. Denay DeGuzman says

    10/10/2019 at 12:51 am

    What beautiful Italian cookies! I enjoy baking and sampling new recipes. I've added your delicious recipe to my must-make cookie list!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  6. angiesrecipes says

    10/10/2019 at 5:03 am

    They sound and look so inviting with pine nuts!
    Reply
  7. DAVID J MYERS says

    10/10/2019 at 4:08 pm

    Catherine, I do like dunking cookies and biscotti in my coffee! That being said, I've never really understood or appreciated many Italian cookies or pastries. To me the ones I've had, mostly in Boston and Chicago, were bland...not sweet or distinctive enough. Maybe I just haven't tried the right ones for my taste... Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
    Reply
  8. Maya Gutierrez says

    11/10/2019 at 1:35 am

    These sound amazing! I love anything that pairs well with my morning coffee, especially a cookie!
    Reply
  9. Nate says

    11/10/2019 at 3:13 am

    One of my best buddies mom's is Italian and she would make us these cookies! Gosh I miss it!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  10. kumamonjeng says

    11/10/2019 at 8:23 am

    This recipe will satisfy my sweet tooth, love it and going to try. Hope to achieve the best result.
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  11. Joyce says

    11/10/2019 at 11:13 am

    Goodness! I always love to pair my morning coffee with a cookie! I am saving this recipe for sure for later. Thanks for sharing!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  12. Heather says

    11/10/2019 at 3:37 pm

    One of my favorite places is an Italian bakery. I would love to learn how to bake these! Printing for later!
    Reply
  13. Chad says

    11/10/2019 at 4:25 pm

    I love Italian cookies and these ones look so delicious!!! I would love to bake them, this weekend...
    Reply
  14. Sue-Tanya Mchorgh says

    11/10/2019 at 10:59 pm

    This Italian Pignoli cookies looks so tasty. I would love to try my hand at these.
    Reply
  15. Olya AMANOVA says

    12/10/2019 at 9:24 am

    The word Italian buys me right aways) and the look of these delicacies is catching my attention) I'm thrilled to try.
    Reply
  16. Yeah Lifestyle says

    12/10/2019 at 1:09 pm

    What an interesting history behind the origin of these cookies and they do look scrumptious. Would love to give this a go.
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  17. Mommy Rockin In Style says

    14/10/2019 at 1:27 pm

    They look delicious especially when paired with coffee! Thanks for sharing this yummy recipe!
    ★★★★★
    Reply

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