Baked Alaska

Visit Alaska and experience its rich culture and food! Let Alaskaoffers.com take you on an amazing journey through this pristine paradise full of marvelous sites. While you're there, be sure to try some of the food…especially the Baked Alaska! Don't know what that is? Read about it below!

About the Dish:

Consists of ice cream in a pie dish
Early versions have the ice cream surrounded by pastry, while the later versions have sponge cake topped with meringue

There is much debate about where the Baked Alaska started. Below are some of the common sources of origin:

• In 1866 a French master cook introduced the concept to a French chef. The French then substituted the pastry with meringue and called it omelet surprise.


• Baked Alaska started with the discovery of the meringue not melting by Anglo-American physicist Benjamin Thompson in 1804


• The dish originated in New York City at Delmonico's Restaurant in 1867 and was named after the newly acquired Department of Alaska


• President Eisenhower's chef, Francois Rysavy, claimed it is a Scandinavian delicacy

Other Varieties:

• Bombe Alaska--dark rum is splashed over the dish, which is then flambéed while served


• People often substitute fruit filling for the ice cream or along with the ice cream


• People use a variety of toppings, including chocolate


• Below is one recipe for the dish, courtesy of Cooks.com

BAKED ALASKA

1 (8 inch) cake layer (frozen) any flavor
1/2 gallon ice cream, any flavor
6 egg whites
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 c. powdered sugar

Grease a 7 inch diameter bowl (large enough to hold 1/2 gallon ice cream). Grease the bowl with vegetables cooking spray, butter. Let ice cream soften until it is workable. Pack tightly in the bowl. Return bowl to freezer until it hardens.

When ready to assemble, beat egg whites until foamy. Add tartar and whip until stiff. Gently fold in powdered sugar a little at a time.

Place frozen layer cake on a plate slightly larger than the cake. Unmold the ice cream centering it on the cake. Do not trim the cake. Frost cake and ice cream with meringue, covering completely.

Bake in preheated at 450 degrees for 6-7 minutes until meringue peaks are golden.

Store in freezer until serving time. Baked Alaska is delicious plain, or you could use fudge, strawberry, or your favorite topping.