Easy Lemon Pavê Recipe: A Refreshing Brazilian Dessert

Learn how to make a delicious and refreshing lemon pavê, a classic and easy dessert for any occasion. Perfect for sweetening your day!

Summary

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Tips and Variations
• CHEF’s Tips

Ingredients

Lemon Cream

• 1 can condensed milk
• 1 box heavy cream
• Juice of 4 lemons (about 120ml)
• Zest of 1 lemon (for garnish)

Assembly

• 200g of ladyfingers biscuits
• ½ cup milk (for dipping biscuits)

Instructions

1. Prepare the lemon cream: In a blender or bowl, mix the condensed milk, heavy cream, and lemon juice. Blend or stir well until you get a smooth and consistent cream.
2. Moisten the biscuits: In a container, pour the milk. Quickly dip the ladyfingers biscuits in the milk, one by one, so they become lightly moistened.
3. Assemble the pavê: In a baking dish, make a layer of moistened biscuits.
4. Cover the biscuit layer with a portion of the lemon cream.
5. Repeat the layers of biscuits and cream until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of cream.
6. Garnish: Decorate the lemon pavê with lemon zest on top of the final cream layer.
7. Chill: Refrigerate the lemon pavê for at least 2 hours to set before serving.

Tips and Variations

• Sicilian Lemon: Use Sicilian lemons for a milder, more sophisticated flavor.
• Meringue Topping: Prepare a Swiss or Italian meringue to cover the lemon pavê and bake briefly to lightly brown.
• White Chocolate: Add white chocolate shavings between layers for a special touch.
• Champagne Biscuits: Substitute ladyfingers with champagne biscuits for a softer texture.
• Lemon Syrup: Prepare a syrup with water and sugar, adding lemon zest to moisten the biscuits.

CHEF’s Tips

The secret to a perfect lemon pavê lies in the quality of ingredients and chilling time. Use fresh, juicy lemons for an intense and balanced citrus flavor. When assembling, ensure biscuits are lightly moistened, not soggy, to maintain the dessert’s structure. For a flawless presentation, use a piping bag to apply the lemon cream between layers, ensuring even distribution. Also, try adding a pinch of sea salt to the lemon zest to enhance the citrus flavor and create an interesting contrast. This lemon pavê dessert is ideal for warm days as it’s light, refreshing, and easy to make, making it an excellent option to surprise your guests or enjoy with family.