Chocolate Pave Recipe with Tea Biscuits
Make this chocolate pave with layers of tea biscuits, vanilla custard, and chocolate ganache. Assemble it the day before for an easy family dessert that tastes even better the next day.
- Total time 4 h 45 min
- Prep time 30 min
- Cooking 15 min
- Rest or chill time 4 h
- Makes 10 servings; 8 x 12-inch baking dish
- Difficulty Easy
Pavê is a layered dessert made with biscuits dipped in milk and layered with cream. As it chills, the biscuits absorb moisture from the cream and soften to a cake-like texture, so it needs a few hours to set.
The vanilla custard is thickened with cornstarch and egg yolks, then cooked until thick and pudding-like. The chocolate layer is a simple ganache made by pouring hot heavy cream over melted chocolate.
Ingredients
Amounts for 10 servings (10 servings; 8 x 12-inch baking dish).
Vanilla custard
Ganache
Assemble
Equipment
- Pot
- Whisk
- Large bowl
- Oven-safe dish
Instructions
-
Step 1 Cook the custard
In a saucepan, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, milk, egg yolks, and cornstarch before turning on the heat to prevent lumps. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, for about 8 minutes, until thick and pudding-like. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
- 1 can of sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups milk
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
About 8 min
-
Step 2 Make the ganache
Warm the heavy cream over low heat until it starts steaming, but don’t let it boil. Remove from the heat, add the chopped chocolate, and let sit for 2 minutes. Stir until smooth and glossy.
- 7 oz chopped semisweet chocolate
- 1 carton of heavy cream
About 5 min
-
Step 3 Layer the lasagna
Quickly dip each biscuit in the milk without letting it get soggy, then arrange a layer in the bottom of the baking dish. Spread half the custard over the biscuits, add another layer of dipped biscuits, spread the remaining custard on top, add one more layer of biscuits, and finish with the ganache.
- 1 package of tea biscuits
- 1 cup milk, for dipping
-
Step 4 Chill
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, until the biscuits have softened and the custard has set.
About 4 h
Tips for success
- Dip each biscuit for just a second; it will continue absorbing moisture from the custard in the refrigerator.
- Top with chocolate shavings or crushed biscuits for a finishing touch.
- Use the leftover egg whites to make meringues or add them to an omelet.
Substitutions
- Tea biscuits
- Ladyfingers or milk biscuits.
- Dark chocolate
- Milk chocolate, for a sweeter dessert.
How to store
Covered and refrigerated, it keeps for up to 3 days.
Allergens
Contains: gluten, Dairy, Eggs.
Packaged ingredients may contain traces of other allergens. Always check the labels of the brands you use.
Published October 13, 2026. US measurements: 1 cup = 240 mL, 1 tablespoon = 15 mL, 1 teaspoon = 5 mL; 1 oz = 28 g.