Skip to content

The dessert, Chic bistro

Brownie with vanilla ice cream

This brownie with vanilla ice cream is a dessert for 6 made with dark chocolate and pecans, served warm with a scoop of ice cream and hot chocolate sauce. It takes 20 minutes of active work, is made ahead in the morning, rates as easy, and costs €1.60 per serving. The key is pulling the brownie from the oven while the center is still slightly soft so it stays fudgy.

Here's your warm pecan brownie, a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting on top, and hot chocolate sauce poured right over it.

Brownie with vanilla ice cream
For
6 people
Work
20 min
Total time
50 min
Prep
Prepared the same day
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€1.60
Calories per person
690 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

A good brownie comes down to two things, fudgy and intense. This one keeps a soft center thanks to a short bake time, while the pecans add crunch with every bite. The contrast between the melting ice cream and the hot chocolate sauce poured on at the last minute gives the dessert its whole character, warm against cold, fudgy against crisp.

This is a dessert that works for every age at the table, perfect for a dinner with friends or a family meal with kids. It fits just as well after a hearty winter dinner as after a lighter summer meal, and it slots easily into a bistro style menu without needing any special equipment.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before Nothing to do
  2. The same day 4 steps, 33 min
  3. Before the guests arrive 1 step, 5 min
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step

Make and bake the brownie in the morning, then let it cool before cutting it into six squares and setting them aside at room temperature. Just before guests arrive, reheat the squares for a few minutes in the oven and make the hot chocolate sauce. At serving time, plate each warm square with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of hot sauce on top.

The ingredients

6 people

Pantry

  • Dark chocolate 200 g
  • Sugaroften in the pantry 180 g
  • Flouroften in the pantry 80 g
  • Pecans 100 g
  • Dark chocolate for the sauce 100 g
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Dairy

  • Butter 150 g
  • Eggs 3
  • Vanilla ice cream 6
  • Heavy cream 10 cl

Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Eggs, Tree nuts

The recipe, moment by moment

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Melt the chocolate and butter together in a double boiler, then let cool slightly. 8 min

    The mixture should be warm, not hot, so it doesn't cook the eggs.

  2. Whisk the eggs and sugar, then add the melted chocolate, sifted flour, salt, and chopped pecans.

    Don't overmix, an overbeaten brownie turns dry and cakey.

  3. Pour into a square pan lined with parchment paper and bake at 180°C. 25 min

    Check with a knife, it should come out with a few moist crumbs.

  4. Let cool, then cut the brownie into six squares.

    Use a knife dipped in hot water for clean squares.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Reheat the squares for a few minutes in the oven, and make the sauce by heating the cream and chocolate together. 5 min

    The cream should just come to a simmer before being poured over the chocolate.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Plate a warm square with a scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of hot chocolate sauce.

    Serve right away, the hot and cold contrast is what makes this dessert.

Our tips to get it right

  • Weigh the chocolate and butter carefully before melting them, a difference of a few grams changes the final texture of the brownie.
  • Line the pan well with parchment paper, leaving the edges hanging over, so you can lift the whole brownie out without breaking it.
  • Reheat the squares at a low temperature and watch them closely, too long in the oven dries out the center you worked to keep fudgy.

The variations

  • Swap the pecans for chopped hazelnuts for a more toasted flavor.
  • For a simpler version with kids, skip the homemade chocolate sauce and just serve the warm brownie with ice cream.
  • In summer, swap the vanilla ice cream for a red berry sorbet for a fresher, tangier note.

What to serve it with

  • A strong coffee to finish
  • Fresh berries on the side
  • A sweet wine like banyuls

Storage

The baked, cooled brownie keeps for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container, or you can freeze it in individual squares. Reheat it for a few minutes in the oven before serving, and warm the chocolate sauce gently in a saucepan or double boiler.

Questions about this recipe

Can I swap the pecans for another nut?

Yes, hazelnuts or walnuts work well in the same amount. Chop them coarsely so the brownie keeps some crunch.

How do I know the brownie is baked enough without drying it out?

Insert a knife into the center, it should come out with a few moist crumbs stuck to it. If the blade comes out clean, the brownie has baked too long and will be drier.

How do I plate this dessert so it looks good?

Place the warm brownie square slightly off center, add the scoop of ice cream right next to it, and pour the chocolate sauce last, right at serving time. The ice cream starts melting in front of your guests, which is part of the appeal.

Is this dessert good for kids?

Yes, it's a familiar dessert that kids generally love, especially with the vanilla ice cream. You can simply go easy on the amount of hot chocolate sauce if you're serving young children.

Can a warm brownie with vanilla ice cream and hot chocolate sauce be made ahead?

Yes, during the day. The recipe needs 20 min of work in total, split up like this, the same day, 4 steps, before the guests arrive, 1 step, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make a warm brownie with vanilla ice cream and hot chocolate sauce?

Allow 50 min in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 20 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "easy".

How many calories are in a warm brownie with vanilla ice cream and hot chocolate sauce?

About 690 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a warm brownie with vanilla ice cream and hot chocolate sauce cost?

About €1.60 per person, that's €9.60 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose, eggs, tree nuts. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

To round out your menu

Build a menu
Mini duck burgers The starter

Chic bistro

Mini duck burgers

  • 35 min of work
  • Prepared the day before
  • Easy, €2.90 per person

430 kcalcalculated by Kiloach

Desserts for entertaining

See all
Apple pear crumble The dessert

Chic bistro

Apple pear crumble

  • 20 min of work
  • Prepared the same day
  • Very easy, €1.10 per person

470 kcalcalculated by Kiloach

Peach Melba The dessert

French classic

Peach Melba

  • 30 min of work
  • Prepared the day before
  • Easy, €2.30 per person

380 kcalcalculated by Kiloach