Baked Alaska

Baked Alaska is a dessert made of ice cream and lined with slices of sponge cake topped with meringue and quickly baked.

Fast Facts

1. Origin: China
2. Introduced in Paris in the 19th century
3. Alternate names: Omelette á la Norvégienne, Norwegian Omelette, Omelette Surprise, Glace au Four
4. First called Alaska-Florida Cake, but later changed to Baked Alaska by Fannie Farmer
5. 1895: Made popular by Chef Jean Giroix at the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo
6. A variation called Bombe Alaska uses dark rum which is poured on top and then lit on fire

Ingredients

The three basic ingredients for a Baked Alaska are a pastry shell made with flour and butter or vegetable shortening, ice cream, and meringue which is made with egg whites, cream of tartar, vanilla and sugar.

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