February 1st is National Baked Alaska Day #NationalBakedAlaskaDay. I don’t know about you but I’ve never had a Baked Alaska and neither has Charlie. As for David I’m not sure if he has had a Baked Alaska or not. If you wanted to join me today we could celebrate National Bake Alaska Day and share a slice or two.
For those that didn’t know National Baked Alaska Day occurs annually on February 1st to celebrate and encourage everyone to treat themselves to a Baked Alaska which is made of Ice Cream, Sponge Cake, and Meringue. That doesn’t sound bad at all does it? Did you know Baked Alaska was first called ‘Alaska Florida’ because of its contrast in temperature when Baked Alaska was first invented?
If you’ve been wondering Baked Alaska is made by placing slices of Sponge Cake at the bottom of a Pie pan, filling the Pie pan with our favorite Ice Cream flavor before covering it completely in Whipped Meringue mixture, and baking for 3-10 minutes. A Baked Alaska is baked in the oven at a very high temperature of preferably 500°F to allow the Meringue to solidify slightly, and brown.
Did you know the story behind baked Alaska’s existence is that In 1867 there was a heated public debate over the agreement to purchase Alaska from Russia for $7 million by Secretary of State William Seward that led Chef Charles Ranhofer of Delmonico’s Restaurant in New York City, who was already notorious for naming new and old food after public figures, to capitalize on the uproar by introducing what we now know as Baked Alaska to Delmonico’s menu.
The frozen-hard Ice Cream covered with Meringue on a base of warm Sponge Cake is what gives Baked Alaska its unique characteristic of drastic temperature contrast. On National Baked Alaska Day everyone is expected to enjoy a sweet bite of this yummy retro dish that is often served in flames.
Here is a fund tip for you. Did you know serving Cream and Cake together dates back to the Renaissance ages. Which I didn’t know. Did you/ The cooks of the era were considered the first to decorate their baked food with a Whipped Topping.
National Baked Alaska Day Activities
- I have a question for you. Helse can we celebrate Baked Alaska Day if not by making a Baked Alaska? If not let’s get into the kitchen and place slices of Sponge Cake at the bottom of a Pie pan, filling it with your favorite Ice Cream flavor, before covering it completely in Whipped Meringue mixture, and baking.
- I would like to ask you to help people grow a love for Baked Alaska to celebrate National Baked Alaska Day! Celebrate the distinct taste and contrast in temperature that we all love in Baked Alaska, with tasty pictures to drive people to long for it. Remember to share using the hashtag #BakedAlaskaDay.
- If you have the means and the opportunity take a adventure in Alaska! Aside from the fact that this dessert is named after Alaska, the State is full of food troves and natural wonders waiting to be discovered! One way to observe National Baked Alaska Day is to take a trip down to Alaska
Things You Should Know About Baked Alaska
- If your #Homeschooling your students and there studying Benjamin Franklin let them know American Physicist Benjamin Thompson’s discovery of Meringue is what gives Baked Alaska its unique characteristic of a contrasting hot top layer and cold base.
- To continues your students learning have them study Alaska and if there taking a #cooking class have them make a Baked Alaska but remember they will need a adults help.
- Baked Alaska , in its early versions, used Pie Crusts instead of Meringue. It might be fun to make a Baked Alaska using both versions then voting on the one you like best with your friends and family.
- Jean Giroix, a Chef at Hotel De Paris, Monte Carlo, popularized Baked Alaska in 1895.
- Did you know Baked Alaska’s lesser-known name, Norwegian Omelette or Omelette Norvegienne, also gives tribute to Baked Alaska’s appearance as a cold, snow-covered Mountain.
- Baked Alaska was originally named Alaska Florida when it was first invented by Chef Charles Ranhofer of Delmonico’s restaurant, New York City.
Why People Love National Baked Alaska Day
- Most everyone knows the Baked Alaska is yummy except for Charlie and I!
- Baked Alaska sometimes consists of delicious homemade Vanilla or Chamomile Ice Cream with a Lemon Sponge Cakes underneath and a thick, fluffy layer of Meringue that engulfs the entire Cake in a blanket of shiny, Sugary, stiffly whipped peaks creating a unique one of a kind dessert.
- Alaska holds a sacred place in peoples hearts for its beautiful Animals and incredibly amazing landscape. It’s only right that we love a Baked Alaska more when we remember Alaska.
- People love the story of the invention of Baked Alaska! Already notorious for naming dishes after famous people and events, Chef Charles Ranhofer capitalized on the heated controversy surrounding the purchase of Alaska from Russia by naming this desert after it, and we love that. Don’t we?
Recipe for Baked Alaska
Original recipe yields 16 servings
Ingredients
- 2 quarts vanilla ice cream, softened, or as needed
- 8 egg whites
- ⅛ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 8-inch round prepared white cake layer
Directions
- Gather all ingredients.
- Line the bottom and sides of an 8-inch round mixing bowl with plastic wrap. Pack softened ice cream into the prepared bowl, then flatten the top and cover with more plastic wrap. Freeze until firm, 8 hours to overnight.
- Beat egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar, and salt in a mixing bowl until stiff peaks form.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place cake in the center. Remove ice cream from the freezer, discard plastic wrap, and turn ice cream out on top of cake.
- Quickly spread meringue over ice cream and cake, swirling in decorative patterns if desired. Freeze for 2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
- Bake cake on the lowest oven shelf until meringue is light brown, 8 to 10 minutes.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
