Pave — What It Is, Origin & Authentic Recipe

i. Origin & history

Pavê is the Brazilian sibling of the Italian tiramisu and the Argentine chocotorta. The word "pavê" comes from the French pavé, paving stone, after the rectangular shape.

ii. Ingredients

Makes 12 servings · scroll the side panel to adjust

1 packet (200 g) champagne biscuits (ladyfingers)
200 ml strong coffee, cooled
1 litre whole milk
100 g sugar
60 g cornstarch
4 yolks
2 tsp vanilla
400 ml double cream
2 tbsp icing sugar
100 g dark chocolate, grated

iii. Method

Make pastry cream: cook milk, sugar, cornstarch and yolks to thick custard; stir in vanilla; cool with cling film on the surface.
Whip cream with icing sugar; fold into pastry cream.
Dip biscuits briefly in coffee; arrange a layer in a 22 × 12 cm dish.
Spread cream filling. Continue alternating layers, ending with cream.
Top with grated chocolate. Chill at least 8 hours.

iv. Tips & common mistakes

Use the freshest ingredients you can. The recipe relies on them.
Read the method through first. Several steps must be ready in advance.
Season patiently. Sweetness and salt are tuned at the end, not the start.

v. Variations

Pavê de chocolate uses chocolate biscuits. Pavê de leite condensado uses condensed-milk filling. Pavê de morango includes fresh strawberries. Pavê de maracujá uses passion fruit.

vi. Common questions

What is pave?

Pave is brazilian icebox cake, from latin american cuisine. It is the canonical Brazilian Christmas Eve dessert and birthday cake — every household has a version

Where is pave from?

Pave is from the latin american dessert tradition; the recipe and history are detailed above.

How long does pave keep?

See the storage note in the Quick facts panel: 4 days refrigerated.