Flaming Baked Alaska

local_grocery_store Ingredients

• 1 quart Vanilla ice cream, softened
• 1 Sponge cake, 9-inch round
• 8 Egg whites, room temperature
• 1 cup Sugar, granulated
• 1/4 teaspoon Cream of tartar
• 1/4 cup Dark rum, for flambeing

restaurant_menu Method

1. 1.Preheat oven to 500°F (260°C).
2. 2.Place the sponge cake on a baking sheet and top with softened vanilla ice cream, shaping into a dome.
3. 3.Freeze the cake and ice cream for at least 2 hours until very firm.
4. 4.In a large bowl, beat egg whites with cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form.
5. 5.Cover the ice cream and cake completely with the meringue, making sure no ice cream is visible and creating decorative peaks with the back of a spoon.
6. 6.Bake in the preheated oven for 3-5 minutes, or until meringue is golden.
7. 7.Warm the rum slightly, then pour over the baked Alaska and carefully ignite with a long match to flambe. Serve immediately after the flames subside.

lightbulb_outline Tips

• chevron_rightEnsure the ice cream is very firm before covering with meringue to prevent melting under the broiler.
• chevron_rightServe immediately after flambeing to enjoy the contrast of hot meringue and cold ice cream.