One-half of a classic Italian breakfast combo
By Maxine Builder and Maxine Builder Updated February 13, 2018
EC: Cornetti Are the Stuffed Italian Croissants of Your Pastry Dreams
Credit: Photo by Maxine Builder
At first glance, you might struggle to tell the difference between an Italian cornetto and a French croissant. Both cornetti and croissants are flaky pastries shaped like crescent moons, but that's basically where the similarities end. Sure, cornetti are best described to the uninitiated as Italian croissants, but cornetti are not croissants. And though cornetti may be unfamiliar to most Americans, these pastries couldn't be more popular or beloved in their native Italy—especially for breakfast. Cornetti are one-half of a classic Italian breakfast combo: cornetto e caffè, or a cornetto and a cappuccino or espresso. By some estimates, as many as ten million Italians visit a cafe to partake in this morning ritual every single day.
So what is a cornetto, exactly? Well, according to Alexandra Siwiec, owner of One Bedford in Greenpoint, Brooklyn—which has its own cornetti window where people can pick one up on their walk to the subway—a cornetti is sweeter than a French croissant. "It looks very similar, but it has that brioche-type of look to it, so a little more plump than croissants," she explains. And though cornetti are flaky, they are chewier than the average croissant. The texture is closer to that of brioche, though you still have to artfully avoid falling flakes of dough when you take a bite.
The biggest difference between a cornetto and a croissant, besides the geographic origin, is that cornetti are made with lard instead of butter. Lard also makes for a sweeter pastry than a croissant—as does the addition of egg and extra sugar. The layering of the the dough into the individual pastries also differs. "The croissant is more detailed in terms of layering. It’s a much more difficult, intensive process where the layers are literally layered one after the other," Siwiec says. "The cornetti is much more simple. Even though they look similar, it’s kind of that one layer."
And then there's the filling. Though you can get an empty cornetto, also known as cornetto vuoto, cornetti are commonly filled with jam, custard, or, as is the case at One Bedford, mascarpone.
EC: message-editor%2F1495124194614-raspberry-cornetto-one-bedford-inline-builder
Credit: Photo by Maxine Builder
Traditional cornetti flavors include lemon and chocolate (even Nutella), but at One Bedford, Siwiec and her team play around with different fillings and toppings depending on the season. Right now, they're offering a classic Amalfi lemon cornetto, filled with a citrusy vanilla mascarpone and topped with a citrus glaze and candied lemons, along with less traditional dulce de leche and raspberry orange blossom flavors.
So if you're feeling fatigue from the slew of stuffed croissants that have been taking over your Instagram, keep an eye out for cornetti. And once you take a bite, you'll probably be upset you didn't know about them sooner. Just be sure to pair it with a cup of coffee so you can call it breakfast.
By Maxine Builder and Maxine Builder
FAQs
Typical of the Italian tradition, cornetto involves the use of eggs and tends to be sweet and flavored; on the contrary, the croissant has no eggs and has a fairly neutral taste, except for the characteristic hint of butter.
What does cornetto mean in Italian? ›
A cornetto (Italian: [korˈnetto]; meaning 'little horn') is historically the Italian name of a product similar to the Austrian kipferl, though today it is an interchangeable name for the French croissant.
What is the Italian cousin of the croissant? ›
Often referred to as Italian croissants, cornetti are classic Italian pastries made with yeasted buttery dough that's lightly sweetened. A great introduction to laminated pastry, cornetti dough falls somewhere in between brioche and croissant dough.
What is a stuffed croissant called? ›
Home. Cornetti Are the Stuffed Italian Croissants of Your Pastry Dreams.
What are the different types of Italian cornetti? ›
Popular options include cornetto alla marmellata (with jam or marmalade), cornetto alla crema (with custard), cornetto al cioccolato (often filled with nutella) and cornetto al miele (usually made with whole-wheat integral bread and filled with honey).
What are the different types of cornetti? ›
The cornetto ripieno includes cornetto alla crema (with pastry cream), alla marmellata (with jam, marmalade or other conserve), al miele (with honey, this is often made with an integrale, wholewheat, dough), al cioccolato (with chocolate) or alla Nutella.
Which came first cornetto or croissant? ›
Although it comes from the same Viennese kipfel, the croissant is not a cornetto. It was in fact invented later, precisely with the opening of the Boulangerie Viennoise in Paris in 1838. The ingredients are the same as the cornetto, except for one: eggs.
Can you still buy Cornettos? ›
Cornetto Classic Vanilla is available to purchase in a convenient four pack for everyone to enjoy. Four cones in every pack, vanilla flavoured Cornetto with roasted peanut tipping, a delicious wafer cone and a crunchy chocolate tip!
What do Italian eat for breakfast? ›
A healthy Italian breakfast might consist of some bread, butter, jam, some yogurt, and fruit. Italians also eat muesli and cereal in the mornings with yogurt or milk. A combination of dried fruit, fresh fruit, nuts, and yogurt is a healthy and popular option.
What do Italians have for lunch? ›
A typical Italian lunch consists of a primo (pasta, soup or risotto dish), a secondo (meat or fish-based dish) and a contorno (side dish). Italians love their carbs and enjoy adding freshly grated Parmesan cheese to their dishes. Italians also exhibit a truly incredible talent for reinventing leftovers.
Cappuccino, Coffee and Croissant
A cornetto, together with an espresso or with a cappuccino becomes the joy of lots of Italians who love to have a breakfast in a café, in their favourite pastry shop or at the cafeteria just outside the office. In Italy, the cornetto is also wrongly called croissant or brioche.
Why is cornetto called cornetto? ›
Cornetto (Italian pronunciation: [korˈnetto]), meaning "little horn" in Italian, is an Italian brand of ice cream cone dessert, which is manufactured and owned by parent company Unilever.
What is a chocolate filled croissant called? ›
In the United States and sometimes in English Canada, they are commonly known as "pain au chocolat" or "chocolate croissants". In the Netherlands, they are sold at most cafés, supermarkets and bakeries and are commonly known as a chocoladebroodje.
What is the old name of croissant? ›
In Legends, Coruscant was once referred to as Notron or Queen of the Core. It was renamed Imperial Center during the reign of the Galactic Empire (as depicted in the original films) and Yuuzhan'tar during the Yuuzhan Vong invasion (as depicted in the New Jedi Order novel series).
Is A brioche the same as a croissant? ›
Brioche is more similar to a thick loaf of bread and is not as flaky or buttery as a croissant. Brioche dough does not contain as much butter as croissants, but it has more sugar and contains eggs, which contributes to the denser texture of brioche.
What is the difference between a croissant and a gipfeli? ›
In German-speaking Switzerland, most bakeries make “Gipfeli,” which look similar to croissants but are denser and less buttery. Gipfeli tend to have fewer layers, a crisper crust and are often drier.
Why do Italians call croissants brioche? ›
The answer is yes, both are eating the same thing: calling it brioche is just an improper use of the term, widespread in northern Italy. A real brioche is different from the cornetto, but beware: neither of them is an honest to goodness croissant.
Do Italians call croissants brioche? ›
Usually, Italians have a small pastry “croissant” with coffee. And in Rome, this is called a “cornetto,” which means a little cone. But the rest of Italy generally calls a croissant a “brioche.” This way, you'll at least sound like you've got some regional terms under your belt.
