Looking for a show-stopping dessert that combines sweet, creamy, and a touch of flamboyance? Baked Alaska is an impressive dessert that never fails to wow guests. It features a core of frozen ice cream on a sponge cake base, encased in a soft meringue that’s browned lightly in the oven or with a torch. Perfect for celebrations or when you want to conclude your dinner with something extraordinary, Baked Alaska is surprisingly straightforward to make at home with a little preparation.
Tips to make the Baked Alaska recipe:
1. Use Quality Ice Cream: For the best taste and texture, opt for high-quality ice cream. You can choose your favorite flavor or layer different flavors for a more complex taste.
2. Sponge Cake Base: You can either bake a sponge cake from scratch for the base or, for a quicker option, use a pre-made one. Ensure it’s fully cooled before assembling.
3. Freeze Firmly: Once you’ve assembled the ice cream on the cake base, freeze it solidly for several hours or overnight. This step is crucial to ensure the dessert holds its shape when you add the meringue and bake it.
4. Peaks Matter: When whipping your meringue, aim for stiff peaks. This consistency is key for the meringue to hold its shape and brown beautifully without melting the ice cream too much during the baking process.
5. Quick Brown, Not Bake: Remember, the goal is to brown the meringue quickly without entirely melting the ice cream core. Use a preheated oven broiler or a kitchen torch, watching closely to achieve a golden exterior without compromising the frozen interior.
How to Make Baked Alaska Recipe?
Baked Alaska Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Oven For baking the sponge cake and browning the meringue
- 1 Baking sheet To hold the sponge cake
- 1 Mixing bowls For preparing meringue mixture
- 1 Electric mixer To whip the meringue
Ingredients
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- 1 cup Sugar
- 4 Eggs Room temperature
- 1/2 tsp Baking powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 quart Ice cream Your choice of flavor, softened
- 4 Egg whites Room temperature
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a baking sheet.
- In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat eggs and gradually add sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Gently fold in the dry ingredients.
- Spread the batter onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes.
- Once baked, let the sponge cake cool completely.
- Cut the sponge cake to fit the shape of a bowl that will be used to mold the ice cream.
- Line the bowl with plastic wrap and fill it with softened ice cream, smoothing the top. Freeze until firm.
- Once frozen, unmold the ice cream on top of the sponge cake base.
- Preheat your oven's broiler.
- Beat egg whites with vanilla until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
- Cover the ice cream and cake completely with meringue, making sure there are no gaps.
- Broil the Baked Alaska for 2-4 minutes, or until the meringue is golden brown.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
In conclusion, the Baked Alaska recipe presents a stunning dessert that combines the warmth of a browned meringue with the cold surprise of ice cream and cake inside. It’s a delightful treat that not only awes guests with its contrasting temperatures and textures but also showcases the skill of the person who made it. The process of creating a Baked Alaska, from baking the cake base to enveloping it in meringue and finally, torching it to golden perfection, is a journey of culinary artistry.
Despite appearing intimidating, this recipe is approachable for bakers at different skill levels willing to take on the challenge. The satisfaction of slicing through the meringue to reveal the layered interior is unmatched. Baked Alaska remains a testament to creativity in the kitchen, melding simple ingredients into an extraordinary dessert that leaves a lasting impression. Whether for a special occasion or as a way to elevate a family dinner, it’s a recipe that promises excitement and enjoyment.
