Ingredients

  • 12 cup sugar
  • 14 cup water
  • 1 cup pecan halves, toasted
  • 12 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
  • 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped (54% to 60% cacao)
  • 14 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder, plus
  • 1 teaspoon natural unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 12 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 18 teaspoon salt
  • 12 cup sugar, plus
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 12 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 tablespoons water, divided
  • 34 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
  • 4 12 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 6 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
  • 4 ounces high-quality white chocolate, finely chopped (such as Lindt or Perugina)
  • 1 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced, room temperature
  • 23 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped (54% to 60% cacao)
  • 1 12 cups whipping cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 12 cup cacao, nibs
  • 12 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
  • 5 large egg yolks
  • 14 cup sugar

Method

  • FOR CANDIED PECANS:.
  • Lightly butter baking sheet.
  • Stir sugar and 1/4 cup water in large nonstick skillet over medium heat until sugar dissolves.
  • Increase heat and boil until sugar syrup is light golden, occasionally brushing down sides of skillet with wet pastry brush, about 8 minutes.
  • Add pecans and stir until syrup coats pecans, about 1 minute; immediately pour pecans out onto prepared baking sheet; spread in single layer with heatproof spatula.
  • Cool completely and coarsely chop nuts.
  • *Do Ahead: Can be made 2 days ahead.
  • Store airtight at room temperature.
  • FOR BROWNIES:.
  • Preheat oven to 350F.
  • Line 8x8x2-inch metal baking pan with foil; butter foil.
  • Combine 1/2 cup butter and bittersweet chocolate in heavy medium saucepan; stir over medium-low heat until melted and smooth.
  • Remove from heat; cool slightly.
  • Whisk cocoa powder, flour, and salt in small bowl.
  • Whisk sugar, eggs, and vanilla in medium bowl to blend.
  • Pour butter mixture into sugar mixture; whisk until blended; add cocoa mixture; whisk until blended.
  • Transfer brownie batter to prepared baking pan; smooth top (layer will be thin).
  • Bake brownie until tester inserted into center comes out with moist crumbs attached, 18 to 20 minutes.
  • Allow brownie to cool slightly, then gently press down on edges to form flat, even layer.
  • Cool completely in pan on rack.
  • FOR WHITE-CHOCOLATE CARAMEL:.
  • Spoon 1 tablespoon water into small bowl; sprinkle gelatin over and stir to blend.
  • Let stand until gelatin softens, about 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, combine remaining 2 tablespoons water, sugar, and pinch of salt in heavy small saucepan.
  • Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves.
  • Increase heat and boil until syrup is deep amber, occasionally swirling pan and brushing down sides with wet pastry brush, about 8 minutes.
  • Slowly add cream (mixture will bubble vigorously) & reduce heat to low.
  • Stir to dissolve any caramel bits.
  • Remove from heat; let cool 5 minutes.
  • Add gelatin mixture; stir until gelatin dissolves.
  • Add white chocolate; whisk until melted and smooth; whisk in butter.
  • Pour caramel atop cooled brownie; spread evenly to cover completely.
  • Chill uncovered until caramel firms slightly, at least 8 hours or overnight.
  • FOR BITTERSWEET-CHOCOLATE GANACHE:.
  • Bring cream to simmer in small saucepan; remove from heat.
  • Add chocolate; whisk until melted and smooth.
  • Cool until mixture is slightly thickened but still pourable, about 15 minutes.
  • Pour ganache atop caramel on brownie; spread just to edges.
  • Sprinkle chopped candied pecans evenly over.
  • Chill uncovered until ganache is firm enough to cut, about 4 hours.
  • **DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead.
  • Cover and keep chilled.
  • CACAO NIB GELATO:.
  • Combine whipping cream, milk, and cacao nibs in heavy large saucepan.
  • Scrape in the seeds from vanilla bean; add bean and bring mixture to simmer; remove from heat.
  • Cover and let mixture steep 30 minutes; uncover and return to simmer.
  • Whisk egg yolks and sugar in large heatproof bowl until mixture is pale yellow and slightly thickened.
  • Gradually add hot cream mixture to yolk mixture, whisking until blended.
  • Return mixture to same saucepan and stir over medium low heat until custard thickens and coats back of spoon when finger is drawn across and instant-read thermometer inserted in custard registers 170 degrees F, about 5 minutes (do not boil).
  • Transfer custard to medium bowl; cover and chill overnight.
  • Pour custard through fine strainer set over bowl, discard solids in strainer.
  • Transfer custard to ice cream maker and proocess according to manufacturer's instructions & transfer gelato to freezer container.
  • Cover and freeze until ice cream is firm, at least 8 hours or overnight.
  • ***DO AHEAD - Can be made 3 days ahead; keep frozen.
  • ASSEMBLY:.
  • Using foil as aid, lift brownie out of pan; place on work surface.
  • Fold foil sides down.
  • Using sharp knife, trim off about 1/4 inch of brownie on all sides.
  • Cut brownie into eight 3 1/2-inch-long, 13/4-inch-wide bars.
  • Place 1 brownie bar and scoop of Cacao Nib Gelato on each of 8 plates and serve.
  • E N J O Y!