This Brazilian Pavê dessert is one of my all time favorite Brazilian desserts!! This says a lot considering that Brazilians are experts at making rich, savory desserts.
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Always Room For Brazilian Pave Dessert
I sure ate my fair share of sweets during my time as a missionary in Brazil. Those who fed us always made sure that our bellies were full to the brim with delicious food, and then, just when we thought we couldn’t take another bite without falling over dead, they’d pull out a delicious “sobre mesa” (dessert) to complete the meal.
Of course, we always managed to squeeze in some extra room for that 😉 Especially when it was a super delicious dessert like this delectable Pavê.
An Unforgettable Traditional Brazilian Pave Dessert
I distinctly remember the first time I ever tried this Pavê dessert. I was eating at the home of a very sweet, elderly lady who lived in the favela (Brazilian Ghetto). She lived in very humble circumstances, so I honestly didn’t expect much when we went to her house to eat. However, I quickly discovered how far from the truth my preconceptions were. This kind lady’s food exceeded all my expectations and turned out to be some of the best food I tried during my time in Brazil. I was especially impressed when she served this delectable Pavê. I was convinced I had never tasted anything so delicious in my life, and I just had to have the recipe! So I convinced her to write the recipe down for me right then and there. Then, the first chance I got, I taught myself how to make this delicious dessert.
As a missionary in Brazil we worked from dawn to dusk, so usually the only pave food we ever ate came from the Brazilian bakeries (paderias), or meals that were provided for us by the local Brazilians who were members of our church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). It was a rare occasion that I ever had time to cook, but the few times that I did get a chance, I made this Pave recipe, and by the end of my 18 months as a missionary I had become quite an expert at making it.
Anyways, I could talk forever and ever about how much I loved the food in Brazil, but let’s get moving onto that dessert recipe (the real reason you came to my blog, right?). I really hope you enjoy this Brazilian Pave dessert as much as me! Please feel free to experiment and add different kinds of fruit or even chocolate to your Brazilian desserts. This is your masterpiece! This particular recipe is my personal favorite, but there are numerous additions that can be made to fit your own personal taste. Enjoy!!!
Cooking Tools/Utensils/Ingredients You Will Need
Medium-to-Large Pot
Saucepan
Measuring Cups (both cups and spoons)
Hand Mixer (I like the portable ones!)
15 X 10 Baking Dish
Rubber Spatula
Small-to-Medium sized Mixing Bowls
Try This Brazilian Pave Dessert Recipe Today!
- Creamy layers
- 2 cans of sweetened condensed milk (14 oz each)
- 4 cups milk (Whole milk preferred)
- 2 tbsp corn starch
- 4 egg yolks
- ¼ tsp vanilla
- Top Layer (whipped cream topping)
- 2 cups Heavy Cream
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Marias cookies (from the Latin food section) or lady fingers
- Chocolate Bar (optional)
- Sliced bananas (optional)
- strawberries (optional)
- chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- In large pot whisk together condensed milk, 3 cups milk, egg yolks, and vanilla
- In measuring flask or small bowl whisk together last cup of milk with corn starch until dissolved
- Heat the mixture in sauce pan over medium/low heat stirring continuously (this will burn if you do not watch it closely and keep stirring)
- Once the mixture is bubbling slowly mix in the final cup of milk with cornstarch while continuing to stir
- Remove from heat once it has thickened to a pudding like consistency
- Pour into 15 x 10 baking dish and use rubber spatula to spread evenly over the bottom of the dish
- Place 1 layer of Maria cookies (or lady fingers) over cream until completely covered
- If you want to add fruit to the Pave (I like sliced strawberries and bananas in mine) then add a layer of sliced fruit on top of the cookies before adding more cream
- Then add another layer of cream over that and repeat with another layer of Marias cookies, and another layer of fruit ( if desired)
- Whipped cream topping
- In bowl mix together heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla til it turns into a heavy whipping cream
- Spread across the top of the Pave with a rubber spatula
- Cover with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate over night ( if you do not have overnight I'd recommend letting it sit in the fridge for at least 3-4 hours...it tastes much better after it has been refrigerated for several hours)
- When ready to serve you can serve as is, or sprinkle on nuts or grated chocolate over the top
- To make grated chocolate you can just buy a Hershey's chocolate bar or chocolate bar of choice. Place the chocolate bar in the freezer for a couple hours and then use a cheese grater to grate the chocolate over the top of your Pave
For a more savory Brazilian treat, try this Brazilian Coxinhas De Frango recipe.
Shelby says
Hi Heather!
I also served a mission in Brazil (the Cuiabá mission) and I absolutely loved the desserts too! Especially Pavê! Thanks for posting this recipe, I can’t wait to try it!
Karen G. says
I’m assuming that you put the pudding mixture onto the jelly roll pan to cool, then after it’s cooled you layer it with the cookies in another, higher pan. Because you could never create a multi layered dessert, that high, in a jelly roll pan.
Bella says
The outcome was absolutely fabulous but it took much longer than 45 minutes all together so I was quite surprised of how long it took. All together I took about 2 hours not 45 minutes. But it tasted amazing!!😄
Emily says
My husband went on his mission to Brazil as well and this was one of his favorites. He’s talked about it a few times and I’ve tried to find a recipe for the last 9 years but I have been unsuccessful until now. I finally stumbled upon this when I tried again a few days ago..I’ve been looking for parve instead of pave. He’d never seen how it was spelled so it made things a little tricky. Making it today and let him taste the creamy layer as I was putting it together. I think he is excited for the final result.
He also talks about some meat pancakes. Do you have a recipe for them? Would love to make those as well.
Bea says
Hi , I found a dessert called Pavé Kinder on Tastemade- Brazil it looks so good. They put 4 egg yolks through a strainer & made a custard like they also made a chocolate ganache like. Could you possibly know what that is? I can’t get it to translate. Thanks!!