Description
Baked Alaska is a dramatic dessert that combines cake, ice cream, and meringue into one incredible creation. With crispy meringue on the outside, frozen ice cream in the middle, and a soft cake base, this showstopper is perfect for special occasions.
Ingredients
- 1 box of sponge cake or 1 homemade sponge cake (9-inch round)
- 2 tablespoons butter (for greasing the pan)
- 1 tablespoon flour (for dusting the pan)
- 1 to 1 ½ quarts of ice cream (your choice of flavor)
- 4 large egg whites
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar (optional)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan with butter, dust with flour, and bake the sponge cake according to package instructions or your homemade recipe (usually 20-25 minutes). Allow to cool completely and slice to fit your serving dish.
- Allow the ice cream to soften slightly at room temperature for 5-10 minutes. Place the cooled cake in a heatproof dish or platter. Spread the softened ice cream in a dome shape over the cake. Freeze for 2-3 hours, or overnight.
- Whisk the egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, while continuing to beat. Add vanilla extract and beat until stiff, glossy peaks form. (Optional: Add cream of tartar to stabilize the meringue.)
- Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C) or use the broiler setting. Remove the ice cream cake from the freezer. Spread the meringue over the cake and ice cream, sealing the edges to ensure no ice cream is exposed. You can create decorative peaks in the meringue.
- Bake in the oven for 3-5 minutes until the meringue is golden brown. Serve immediately after baking.
Notes
- Baked Alaska is best served fresh from the oven. The meringue may lose its texture if frozen and thawed.
- You can use store-bought sponge or pound cake to save time.
- Feel free to mix and match ice cream flavors or add chocolate ganache for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes (excluding freezing time)
- Cook Time: 3-5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
