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1
Preheat the oven to 350.
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2
Spread the pecans in a pie plate and toast for 8 minutes, until fragrant.
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3
Let cool completely, then transfer to a food processor.
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4
Crumble one-third of the pound cake into the food processor and pulse with the pecans until coarsely chopped.
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5
In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the chocolate at high power in 30-second bursts until it is nearly melted.
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6
Whisk until smooth, then whisk in the cream.
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7
Stir the pecan-cake crumbs into the ganache.
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8
Line a 12-cup, flat-bottomed vessel with strips of parchment paper, making sure the paper extends by 4 inches on all sides.
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9
Arrange half of the cake slices neatly on the bottom of the vessel (you may have to cut them to fit).
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10
Remove the coffee chip ice cream from the carton and carefully slice it into slabs.
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11
Fit the slabs over the cake and press to an even layer.
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12
Spread with half of the nutty ganache and freeze until firm, about 1 hour.
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13
Repeat the layering with the chocolate ice cream, the remaining nutty ganache and the dulce de leche ice cream.
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14
Top with the remaining cake slices.
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15
Fold the paper over the cake and freeze overnight or until very firm.
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16
Remove the cake from the vessel and place it on a cake plate.
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17
Remove the paper.
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18
Return the cake to the freezer.
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19
In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a boil with the sugar, stirring until dissolved.
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20
Brush down any sugar crystals from the side of the pan with a wet pastry brush.
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21
Boil for 2 minutes.
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22
Meanwhile, in the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with the whisk, beat the egg whites with the salt and cream of tartar until soft peaks form.
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23
With the machine at medium speed, carefully beat in the hot sugar syrup until incorporated.
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24
Increase the speed to high and beat until the meringue is stiff and glossy and no longer hot, 5 minutes.
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25
Using a spatula, spread half of the meringue all over the cake.
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26
Fill a pastry bag fitted with a plain tip with the remaining meringue and pipe peaks on top.
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27
Using a pastry torch, toast the meringue until browned in spots.
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28
Return the cake to the freezer for 15 minutes.
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29
Cut the cake with a slightly moistened knife and serve right away.