Nigella Baked Alaska is made with sponge cake, ice cream, egg whites, and sugar. This British Nigella Baked Alaska recipe creates a tasty dessert that takes about 4 hours 35 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 6 people.
Try More Nigella Recipes:
Why You Will Love Nigella Baked Alaska Recipe
- Perfect Mix: This Nigella Baked Alaska mixes different tastes and feels in a perfect way. The soft sponge cake, creamy ice cream, and light meringue come together to make a delicious experience you’ll want more of.
- Looks Amazing: This dessert is sure to catch everyone’s eye. The golden meringue, crunchy cornflakes (if you choose to add them), and fresh lemon zest make it look fancy and professional.
- Easy but Fancy: You can make this amazing dessert with simple steps and easy-to-find ingredients. It looks and tastes fancy, perfect for special moments or when you just want to treat yourself.
What Is Baked Alaska Recipe?
Baked Alaska is a yummy dessert made with a soft sponge cake, creamy ice cream, and a fluffy meringue topping. When you bake it, the ice cream stays cold, and the cake gets warm. The meringue turns golden and crispy. It tastes really good!
Why Is It Called Baked Alaska
Baked Alaska gets its name from the contrast between the hot meringue topping and the cold ice cream inside. It’s briefly baked in the oven, creating a hot exterior and a frozen interior, resembling the landscape of Alaska.
What Does Baked Alaska Taste Like
Baked Alaska tastes like a sweet and crispy meringue outside with creamy ice cream and soft sponge cake inside.
Nigella Baked Alaska Ingredients
- 1 sponge cake (buy it or make one)
- 1 liter of ice cream (choose your favorite flavor)
- 4 big egg whites
- 200 grams of sugar
- 50 grams of cornflakes (this is up to you)
- Zest of 1 lemon (this is up to you)
How To Make Nigella Baked Alaska
- Prepare The Cake Base: Cut the sponge cake into two equal flat pieces. Put one piece at the bottom of a round baking dish.
- Add The Ice Cream: Take the ice cream out of the freezer. Wait 5 to 10 minutes until it’s a bit soft. Spread the ice cream over the cake in the dish. Use a spatula to make it smooth. Freeze for 2 hours or until the ice cream is hard again.
- Make The Meringue: In a very clean bowl, beat egg whites with a mixer until they form soft peaks. Slowly add sugar and keep beating until the mix is shiny and has stiff peaks.
- Bake: Heat your oven to 220°C (425°F). Take the dish from the freezer. Cover everything with the meringue. Seal it well. Make it look nice with some swirls or peaks. If you like, add cornflakes and lemon zest on top for extra taste and crunch. Bake 10 to 15 minutes until meringue is golden.
- Serve: Let it cool for a few minutes after baking. Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water to cut clean pieces. Clean the knife after each cut. Serve right away and enjoy the mix of warm meringue and cold ice cream!
Recipe Tips
- Chill the Ice Cream: Before you put everything together, make sure the ice cream layer is super cold. This helps it stay solid when you bake it.
- Crunchy Topping Ideas: If you like a crispy top, try using cornflakes. But you can also try crushed cookies or chopped almonds for a different texture.
- Whip the Meringue Well: Beat the meringue until it’s fluffy and stiff. This makes sure it stays airy and won’t collapse when you bake it.
- Don’t Overbake: When you’re baking, keep an eye on it. The meringue should turn golden on the outside but stay soft inside.
- Get Creative: Sprinkle some lemon zest or drizzle chocolate sauce on top to add extra flavor to your Nigella Baked Alaska. It’s fun to try different things!
What To Serve With Baked Alaska?
Baked Alaska tastes great with warm chocolate sauce or raspberry coulis to balance the flavors. You can also add fresh berries or a dusting of powdered sugar to make it look fancy. For extra richness, you can serve it with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
How To Store Baked Alaska?
To store Baked Alaska, put it in a sealed container and keep it in the freezer. It can stay good for about two weeks. Don’t keep it in the fridge because it might melt.
What to Do with Leftover Baked Alaska?
If you have leftover Baked Alaska, you can still enjoy it! Here are a few ideas:
- Make a Baked Alaska Sundae: Cut the leftover Baked Alaska into small chunks and layer them with your favorite ice cream flavors, toppings, and sauces to create a delicious sundae.
- Turn it into Milkshakes: Blend the leftover Baked Alaska with some milk and a scoop of ice cream to make a creamy and indulgent milkshake.
- Create Baked Alaska Parfaits: Crumble the leftover Baked Alaska into small pieces and layer them with yogurt or whipped cream, fresh fruit, and granola to make tasty parfaits.
- Bake it into Brownies: Chop up the leftover Baked Alaska and fold it into your favorite brownie batter before baking for a decadent twist on classic brownies.
- Make Baked Alaska Truffles: Roll the leftover Baked Alaska into small balls and dip them in melted chocolate to make delicious truffles.
FAQs
How Do You Prevent The Ice Cream From Melting While Assembling Baked Alaska?
To prevent the ice cream from melting while assembling Baked Alaska, make sure the cake and meringue are completely cooled down before putting them together. Work quickly to avoid the ice cream from getting too soft.
Can You Use A Different Type Of Cake Base For Baked Alaska?
Yes, you can use a different kind of cake base for Baked Alaska, like pound cake or sponge cake, as long as it’s sturdy enough to hold the ice cream and meringue layers.
How Do You Slice A Baked Alaska Without Making A Mess?
For neat slices of Baked Alaska, use a sharp knife with a serrated edge. Dip it in hot water before slicing and wipe it clean between cuts to avoid making a mess.
Can You Use Frozen Yogurt Instead Of Ice Cream For Baked Alaska?
Yes, you can use frozen yogurt instead of ice cream for Baked Alaska, but keep in mind that it might have a slightly different texture and taste.
Can You Freeze Baked Alaska Before Cooking
No, it’s not recommended to freeze Baked Alaska before cooking. Freezing it before cooking can affect the texture and make it difficult to bake properly. It’s best to assemble and bake the Baked Alaska right before serving for the best results.
Can You Make Meringue For Baked Alaska Ahead Of Time
You can make the meringue for Baked Alaska up to 24 hours ahead of time. Just be sure to store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator during this time. Before using it, give the meringue a quick whisk to re-fluff it before spreading it over the Baked Alaska.
Try More Nigella Recipes:
Nigella Baked Alaska Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
- Calories: 222 kcal
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2.2g
- Carbohydrate: 39.2g
- Sugars: 35.8g
- Protein: 2.9g
- Salt: 0.2g
- Fiber: 0.4g
Are You Looking For Best Nigella Lawson Cookbooks ? Here Are Top 5 Best Seller Nigella Lawson Cookbooks You Should Have:
- At My Table: A Celebration of Home Cooking
- Nigella Express: 130 Recipes for Good Food, Fast
- Cook, Eat, Repeat: Ingredients, Recipes, and Stories (recommended)
- Nigellissima: Easy Italian-Inspired Recipes
- Nigella Kitchen: Recipes from the Heart of the Home
Nigella Baked Alaska
Description
Nigella Baked Alaska is made with sponge cake, ice cream, egg whites, and sugar. This British Nigella Baked Alaska recipe creates a tasty dessert that takes about 4 hours 35 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 6 people.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare The Cake Base: Cut the sponge cake into two equal flat pieces. Put one piece at the bottom of a round baking dish.
- Add The Ice Cream: Take the ice cream out of the freezer. Wait 5 to 10 minutes until it’s a bit soft. Spread the ice cream over the cake in the dish. Use a spatula to make it smooth. Freeze for 2 hours or until the ice cream is hard again.
- Make The Meringue: In a very clean bowl, beat egg whites with a mixer until they form soft peaks. Slowly add sugar and keep beating until the mix is shiny and has stiff peaks.
- Bake: Heat your oven to 220°C (425°F). Take the dish from the freezer. Cover everything with the meringue. Seal it well. Make it look nice with some swirls or peaks. If you like, add cornflakes and lemon zest on top for extra taste and crunch. Bake 10 to 15 minutes until meringue is golden.
- Serve: Let it cool for a few minutes after baking. Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water to cut clean pieces. Clean the knife after each cut. Serve right away and enjoy the mix of warm meringue and cold ice cream!
Notes
- Chill the Ice Cream: Before you put everything together, make sure the ice cream layer is super cold. This helps it stay solid when you bake it.
Crunchy Topping Ideas: If you like a crispy top, try using cornflakes. But you can also try crushed cookies or chopped almonds for a different texture.
Whip the Meringue Well: Beat the meringue until it’s fluffy and stiff. This makes sure it stays airy and won’t collapse when you bake it.
Don’t Overbake: When you’re baking, keep an eye on it. The meringue should turn golden on the outside but stay soft inside.
Get Creative: Sprinkle some lemon zest or drizzle chocolate sauce on top to add extra flavor to your Nigella Baked Alaska. It’s fun to try different things!