Pavesini reindeer

Pavesini reindeer are fun reindeer-shaped cookies that can be easily prepared with Pavesini, known Italian light and crispy biscuits. They are ideal to make during the Christmas season to entertain children and decorate the holiday table. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• Pavesini
• Dark chocolate
• Licorice sticks
• Red Smarties (or other types of red candy for the nose)
• Sugar eyes (you can find them at pastry supply stores)

Preparation

1. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave, being careful not to burn it.
2. Once the chocolate has melted and is smooth, use it to make the eyes and mouth of your Pavesini reindeer. You can use a toothpick for more precision.
3. Apply two sugar eyes to the top of the biscuit, using a little melted chocolate as glue.
4. Cut the licorice sticks into pieces to create the antlers and attach them to the top of the biscuit, above the eyes, always using melted chocolate to fix them.
5. Finally, place a red Smartie in the center of the biscuit, at the bottom, to make the reindeer’s nose.
6. Allow the chocolate to set before serving.

Trivia

Pavesini were born in 1948 in Novara, from Pavesi (now part of the Barilla Group), who made them famous throughout Italy. Their simplicity and versatility make them perfect for Christmas sweet preparations, especially for the little ones. The figure of the reindeer is traditionally linked to Christmas and the stories of Santa Claus, and these reindeer-shaped cookies will surely bring a smile to everyone.

An Italian twist on this Christmas cookie might be the use of crumbled nougat instead of red candies for the nose, or perhaps a gianduja chocolate icing for a more typically Piedmontese flavor.