**Baked Alaska: A Culinary Masterpiece of Ice Cream and Meringue**
Baked Alaska, also known as Bombe Alaska, is a classic dessert that combines the delightful flavors of ice cream and meringue in a striking presentation. Originating in the 19th century, this dessert has captured the hearts of dessert enthusiasts worldwide with its unique combination of textures and flavors. This article presents two delectable variations of Baked Alaska: the classic Baked Alaska and the Ali Baba's Baked Alaska.
The classic Baked Alaska features a layer of ice cream, typically vanilla or chocolate, encased in a dome of fluffy meringue. The meringue is then browned using a blowtorch or in a very hot oven, creating a crisp and caramelized exterior that contrasts beautifully with the cold and creamy ice cream filling.
The Ali Baba's Baked Alaska takes this classic dessert to a new level with the addition of a layer of fruit sorbet between the ice cream and meringue. This sorbet layer adds a refreshing and tangy flavor that complements the sweetness of the meringue and ice cream. The combination of textures and flavors in both variations of Baked Alaska creates a truly unforgettable dessert experience.
Whether you prefer the classic simplicity of the original Baked Alaska or the vibrant flavors of the Ali Baba's version, this article provides detailed recipes and step-by-step instructions to guide you in creating this impressive dessert. So, prepare to embark on a culinary adventure as we delve into the art of making Baked Alaska, a dessert that is sure to impress your guests and satisfy your sweet cravings.
BAKED ALASKA
Cake and ice cream dessert topped with meringue -- vary ice cream flavors for your signature dish. I like cherry-burgundy ice cream!
Provided by shirleyo
Categories Desserts Frozen Dessert Recipes Ice Cream Cake Recipes
Time 11h
Yield 16
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Line the bottom and sides of an 8-inch round mixing bowl or deep 8-inch square container with foil. Spread ice cream in container, packing firmly. Cover and freeze 8 hours or until firm.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8x8 inch pan.
- Prepare cake mix with egg and almond extract. Pour into prepared pan.
- Bake in preheated oven according to package instructions, until center of cake springs back when lightly touched.
- Beat egg whites with cream of tartar, salt and sugar until stiff peaks form.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment or heavy brown paper. Place cake in center. Turn molded ice cream out onto cake. Quickly and prettily spread meringue over cake and ice cream, all the way to paper to seal. Return to freezer 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
- Bake the Alaska on the lowest shelf, 8 to 10 minutes, or until meringue is lightly browned. Serve at once.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 330 calories, Carbohydrate 53.1 g, Cholesterol 40.7 mg, Fat 11.1 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 6 g, SaturatedFat 5.1 g, Sodium 315.1 mg, Sugar 44 g
BABA AU RHUM
Steps:
- Combine the currants and rum in a small bowl and set aside. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter and brush a 5-cup (6 1/2 by 3 1/2-inch) tube pan or kugelhopf mold with the melted butter. Be sure to coat every crevice of the pan. Heat the milk to 115 degrees F and then pour it into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Stir in the yeast and sugar and allow to sit for 5 minutes.
- With the mixer on low speed, first add the eggs, then the flour, salt, and remaining 4 tablespoons of butter. Raise the speed to medium-high and beat for 5 minutes. Scrape down the bowl and beater to form the dough into a ball. It will be very soft. Cover the bowl with a damp towel and allow it to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Drain the currants, fold them into the dough with a spatula, and spoon into the prepared pan. Smooth the top, cover the pan with a damp towel, and allow to rise until the dough reaches the top of the pan, 50 minutes to 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and make the Rum Syrup.
- Bake the cake for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool for 10 minutes, then tap it out of the cake pan onto a baking rack set over a sheet pan. Pour all of the Rum Syrup very slowly onto the warm cake, allowing it all to soak in thoroughly. Amazingly, the liquid will be absorbed into the cake, so be sure to use all of the syrup.
- Heat the preserves with 1 tablespoon of water until runny, press it through a sieve, and brush it on the cake. Serve with Whipped Cream piped into the middle of the cake plus an extra bowl on the side.
- Place the sugar and 1 1/2 cups water in a small saucepan and cook over high heat until the sugar dissolves. Pour into a 4-cup heat-proof measuring cup and allow to cool. Add the rum and vanilla and set aside.
- Whip the cream in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. When it starts to thicken, add the sugar and vanilla and continue to whip until the cream forms stiff peaks. Don't overbeat, or you'll end up with butter!
BAKED ALASKA
This is an impressive dessert for any occasion. For Thanksgiving, I make the pumpkin version of this Baked Alaska recipe instead of pumpkin pie. -Linda Sanner, Portage, Wisconsin
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 55m
Yield 12 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Spoon ice cream into a 1-1/2-qt. bowl lined with plastic wrap; freeze until firm. Line a greased 9-in. round baking pan with waxed paper; grease the paper and set aside. Place a clean kitchen towel over a wire rack; dust towel with confectioners' sugar. Set aside., In a large bowl, beat the eggs, 3 tablespoons water and vanilla. Gradually add 1/2 cup sugar, beating until thick and lemon-colored. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; fold into egg mixture. , Gently spoon into prepared pan. Bake at 375° for 12-15 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Immediately run a knife around edge of pan; invert onto prepared wire rack. Gently peel off waxed paper; cool completely., In a large heavy saucepan, combine the egg whites, cream of tartar and remaining sugar and water; beat on low speed with a portable mixer for 1 minute. Continue beating over low heat until mixture reaches 160°, about 12 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add rum extract; beat until stiff peaks form and sugar is dissolved, about 4 minutes. , Place cake on an ungreased foil-lined baking sheet; unmold ice cream and place over cake. Immediately spread meringue over ice cream and cake, sealing it to foil; sprinkle with almonds. Freeze until ready to serve, up to 24 hours. , Just before serving, heat with a creme brulee torch or broil on lowest oven rack position for 3-5 minutes or until meringue is light browned. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 225 calories, Fat 6g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 55mg cholesterol, Sodium 112mg sodium, Carbohydrate 38g carbohydrate (29g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 5g protein.
BAKED ALASKA
Make this retro dessert for a festive get-together. With ice cream, fluffy meringue and sponge cake, it's a showstopper - and it's easier to make than it looks
Provided by Esther Clark
Categories Dessert
Time 1h5m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter and line a 20cm cake tin. Beat together the butter and sugar using a hand whisk or freestanding mixer, for 5 mins until pale and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla and eggs, then fold through the flour, lemon zest and milk. Spoon the mixture into the tin, smooth over and bake for 18-20 mins until golden and firm to the touch. Leave to cool completely before starting the meringue.
- Whisk the egg whites to stiff peaks in a clean bowl, then add the sugar 1 tbsp at a time while whisking continuously, until you have a thick, glossy mixture that holds its shape when the beaters are lifted away from the bowl. Quickly beat in the vinegar.
- Remove the ice cream from the freezer 10 mins before you assemble to soften slightly. Place the sponge on a serving plate. Spread the jam over the top of the sponge in an even layer. Scoop balls of the ice cream into a mound in the middle of the sponge, leaving a 1-2cm gap of sponge around the edge. Gently smooth the side and top of the ice cream with a palette knife. Spoon and swirl the meringue around the outside of the ice cream and cake base with a large spoon. Use a blow torch to evenly brown the outside of the meringue, if you have one. Cut into wedges to serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 344 calories, Fat 14 grams fat, SaturatedFat 8 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 49 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 42 grams sugar, Fiber 1 grams fiber, Protein 5 grams protein, Sodium 0.44 milligram of sodium
FLAMED RUM BABAS EXETER
Steps:
- Warm a large bowl. Add sifted flour; make a well. To the well, add the yeast, 3/8 cup of the milk, sugar, and salt. Mix until the yeast has dissolved. Add eggs and beat with hands until well combined and smooth. Cover bowl and put in a warm place for 45 minutes.
- After 45 minutes, add the butter and remaining 1/4 cup milk. Beat hard for a couple of minutes. Half fill 4 greased small cake molds. Cover molds and place in a warm spot for 10 minutes. Once risen, place in oven for 20 minutes. Unmold onto cake rack and allow to cool a little.
- Meanwhile, make sauce.
- In a saute pan, large enough to hold all the babas, combine butter and sugar over medium high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the rum and sultanas(raisins), peel, and grapes. Stir to coat well. Place the babas into the fudge mixture. Prick lightly with a fork and turn in the sauce to coat well. Pour 2 tablespoons of rum over each baba and set alight. Serve babas with sauce and whipped cream.
BOURBON-SOAKED BABAS WITH MARINATED FRUIT
Babas are made from a yeasted dough that's somewhere between cake and bread. Once soaked with syrup, pillowy soft babas literally melt in your mouth, creating a memorable finish to an evening. Although the babas need to be baked and soaked just before serving, both the marinated fruit and the syrup can be made up to 24 hours in advance. Don't limit the syrup to just bourbon - any of your favorite liquors will work.
Provided by Food Network
Categories dessert
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- To marinate the fruit: Combine the fruit, sugar, vanilla, mint, and cinnamon in a bowl and mix well. Let the fruit marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours.
- To prepare the syrup: In a saucepan over high heat, combine the sugar, water, and bourbon, and bring to a boil. Boil for 2 to 3 minutes, remove the pan from the heat, and set aside, or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- To prepare the babas: In the bowl of a heavy-duty mixer, combing the water, yeast, and sugar and mix just to combine. Let it sit until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add the egg, flour, orange zest, and butter and mix until elastic but very soft. Let the dough rise in a warm place until it doubles in volume, 15 to 20 minutes. Punch the dough down. Spoon the dough into greased muffin tins, filling them one-third to one-half full. Let the dough rise again until doubled in volume, 20 to 30 minutes.
- While the babas are rising, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake the babas until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Remove from the tins and place on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet. Prick the tops of the babas with a skewer or fork. Warm the syrup over medium heat. Ladle all of the warm syrup over the babas, letting it soak in.
- To serve: Place the babas on individual plates. Distribute the fruit among the babas, and top with whipped cream. Serve warm.
BAKED ALASKA
Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network
Categories dessert
Time 5h20m
Yield 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- For the ice cream center: Spray a 4 1/2- to 5-quart metal bowl with nonstick spray and line with plastic wrap. Create a first layer using the softened cherry chocolate chip ice cream, then freeze for 30 minutes.
- Add the softened mint chocolate chip ice cream for the second layer and freeze again for 30 minutes.
- Add the softened chocolate chocolate chip ice cream for the third layer, then top with a layer of angel food cake. Cover in plastic wrap and freeze for at least 4 hours and up to 2 days.
- For the meringue: Using a stand or electric hand-held mixer, whisk the egg whites until frothy. Add the cream of tartar and whisk again. With the machine running, add the sugar a little at a time and whisk until the meringue is glossy and forms stiff peaks.
- Remove the ice cream bomb from the freezer and take off the plastic wrap on top. Turn out the frozen ice cream and cake onto a plate so that the cake layer is in contact with the plate and you have a dome.
- Remove the plastic wrap from the dome and cover with the meringue, making peaks. Brown with a kitchen blowtorch and serve.
UMM ALI
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- In a pot, combine the milk and cream. Bring to a boil. Stir in the honey and remove the pot from the heat.
- Spread the bread out in a deep baking pan, and sprinkle the pine nuts and raisins on top.
- Pour the heated mixture over the bread and sprinkle with a generous amount of cinnamon.
- Place the baking pan in the oven and cook for approximately 15 minutes. Serve immediately.
BIRTHDAY BAKED ALASKA
Baked alaska is beautiful, elegant and dramatic. It's easy to make; it's convenient (it must be made ahead); it's got ice cream (enough said); it's got meringue - which is the same as saying it's got magic. It looks gorgeous whole and just as gorgeous sliced; it's creamy and icy cold inside, marshmallowy all around and warm on the edges. In other words, it's perfect. This one was made in the colors of the French flag to celebrate the 117th birthday of the French nun, Sister André. Reverse the colors for the Fourth of July - it's what the creator of this recipe, Zoë François, did originally - or use whatever flavors of ice cream you love; the loaf pan will hold 2 quarts.
Provided by Dorie Greenspan
Categories snack, cakes, dessert
Time 8h
Yield 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Make the cake: Line a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap or parchment paper, leaving an overhang.
- Put the sliced strawberries, sugar, and lime or lemon juice in a small bowl, stir and set aside for 2 hours while you put together the rest of the cake.
- Each type of ice cream has to be softened before you can use it, so, as you need it, cut it into hunks, put the pieces in a large bowl, and bash and beat them with a sturdy flexible spatula or wooden spoon until spreadable. If you're using homemade ice cream, you can take it straight from the ice cream maker.
- Soften the blueberry ice cream, then spread it evenly over the bottom of the loaf pan. Smooth the top. Cover, and freeze for at least 1 hour.
- Soften the vanilla ice cream, stir in the coconut, then smooth it over the blueberry ice cream. Level the top. Cover, and freeze for at least 1 hour.
- Drain the strawberries. Soften the strawberry ice cream, and stir the berries into it. Spread the ice cream over the vanilla layer, and smooth the top.
- Gently press ladyfingers into the soft ice cream to make a base layer; don't worry if you have some bare spots. Cover, and freeze until firm, at least 4 hours. (You can do this up to 1 week in advance of serving, if you'd like.)
- At least 1 hour (or up to 8 hours) before serving, make the meringue: Bring a few inches of water to a simmer in a large saucepan that can hold the bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl that you can use with a hand mixer. Whisk the egg whites and sugar together in the bowl, place the bowl over the water - making sure it's not touching - and whisk until the sugar is completely dissolved and smooth. The mixture should be 160 degrees. Don't rush this; it needs about 10 minutes. If necessary, attach the bowl to the mixer, and fit with the whisk. Beat the meringue on medium-high speed for about 6 minutes, or until it's fluffy, glossy and holds stiff peaks.
- Unmold the ice cream cake onto a serving platter, one that is large enough to catch the kirsch, if you're using it, and peel away the plastic or paper. Using a spatula, cover the sides with a thick layer of meringue - creating swirls, if you'd like - and cover the top with a thinner one.
- Now you have a choice: You can pipe meringue spikes over the top, layer more meringue on top, and swirl or spike it with the back of a spoon, or make spikes by hand by pulling it into points with your fingers. Continue until you've got a pattern you like. Freeze the cake for at least 1 hour.
- To finish the cake, use a kitchen torch to brown the meringue on the top of the cake or use flaming kirsch: Put the kirsch in a small pan over low heat for about 2 minutes. Carefully light the kirsch with a long match. Slowly drizzle the flaming alcohol evenly over the entire cake, and watch it toast the meringue. It will burn off on its own.
- Cut into thick slices, and serve immediately. You can keep the cake covered and frozen for a day, but it's at its best the day it is made.
Tips:
- To ensure the Baked Alaska is properly frozen before baking, freeze it for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Use a kitchen torch to quickly brown the meringue, rotating the Baked Alaska as you go to achieve an even color.
- If you don't have a kitchen torch, you can brown the meringue in a preheated oven at 500°F (260°C) for 2-3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Serve the Baked Alaska immediately after browning the meringue, as it will start to melt quickly.
Conclusion:
With its impressive appearance and delicious combination of flavors, Baked Alaska is a classic dessert that is sure to wow your guests. By following these tips, you can create a perfect Baked Alaska that will be the star of your next party or gathering.
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