Baked Alaska

(from Lucianolinda’s recipe box)

Source: Chicago Tribune- Leah Eskin

Serves 8 people

Categories: Pie- Cobbler- Cheesecake-Tart

Ingredients

  • 1 (10.75 oz.) all-butter pound cake such as Sara Lee
  • 1 pint ice cream
  • 3 egg whites
  • 1 cup granulated sugar

Directions

  1. Tip the pound cake on its side and slice into 1/2-inch thick planks, starting from the side that was originally the bottom. Use a biscuit cutter to cut eight 3-inch circles from these planks. Line up the circles on a baking sheet.
  2. Drop one classic dome shaped scoop of ice cream on each circle leaving 1/4 inch cake border bare. Freeze 1 hour or, covered with plastic up to 1 day.
  3. In the bowl of an electric mixer briefly whisk the egg whites and sugar. Set the bowl over a pan of simmering water and whisk until whites reach 165 degrees. Pull pan off the water. Use the whisk attachment of the mixer to whip to billowy, glossy peaks.
  4. Smooth meringue all over the ice cream, leaving the cake sides bare. Go ahead and lavish with swirls and spikes—- this is the fun of the meringue. Feel free to freeze (uncovered) for several hours or move on to the next step.
  5. Slide the baking sheet into a 500 degree oven just until the meringue turns golden brown, about 3 minutes. (Or use a kitchen torch.) Don’t worry; the process releases very little carbon. Enjoy right away.

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