What is a Pavé?

A pavé is a French culinary term meaning "cobblestone," referring to foods cut or shaped into neat, square or rectangular blocks. 

In sweet dishes, pavés typically describe rich, dense desserts like chocolate pavés - intensely flavored squares of ganache, mousse, or fudge-like cake that are portioned into elegant geometric shapes. 

The technique emphasizes clean lines and uniform presentation, making both sweet and savory dishes look professionally finished. 

Home bakers use pavé cuts when they want to elevate simple dishes into sophisticated, bistro-style presentations. The square format also makes portion control easier and creates an impressive visual impact when plated. 

Pavés work particularly well for dense chocolate desserts, cheesecakes, or layered dishes where clean edges showcase the internal structure beautifully.