Simply Sweet Valentine Baked Alaska

A heart shaped Baked Alaska covered in caramelized meringue on a red rimmed plate.

Baked Alaska combines layers of your favourite ice cream with spongy cake. It’s smothered in a dreamy caramelized meringue layer for an extra special Valentine’s or holiday treat.

Have a special occasion or an extreme sweet tooth? I have you covered with show stopping desserts…check out this multi layered Lemon Cardamom Cake featuring fresh strawberries or make a Very Cherry Mess for your loved ones.

A heart shaped Baked Alaska covered in caramelized meringue on a red rimmed plate.

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Valentine Baked Alaska

Treat your sweetheart to a truly memorable Valentine’s Day dessert that looks impressive, but is quite simple to assemble and a whole lot of fun to eat.

My Baked Alaska recipe require 1-3 pints of your favourite premium ice cream, a layer of vanilla sponge cake, egg whites, cream of tartar, and sugar. That’s it.

Of course, there are a few special tools you might need; such as a culinary torch and a heart shaped bowl, jelly mold, or cake pan. However, you can totally make this treat using a round (or other shaped) container. Even a loaf pan will do in a pinch!

Even a culinary torch is not 100% necessary (though it’s a lot of fun). Read on to find out why…

A heart shaped Baked Alaska covered in caramelized meringue on a red rimmed plate.

What is Baked Alaska vs. Bombe Alaska?

So, what is a Baked Alaska vs a Bombe Alaska and why does Alaska get to have all of the fun? In short, the difference has to do with the method used to caramelize the dessert’s outer meringue layer.

Both the Baked Alaska and the Bombe Alaska are ice cream cakes with a sponge cake base and caramelized whipped meringue outer layer. The Italian style meringue is made from warmed egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar whipped into stiff peaks.

To finish, the meringue layer of a Baked Alaska is either torched or baked at high heat until caramelization occurs. Conversely, the outer layer of a Bombe Alaska is doused with flammable alcohol (such as high proof rum) and set afire.

Use the caramelization method you are comfortable with. I own a culinary torch so I found it to be the easiest (and safest) method.

Historical Note: This frozen delight was originally ‘Omelette Norwegge‘ a French dessert named after Norway, a chilly country to the North. When the Americans acquired Alaska in 1867, a new version was created.

Think about how much work this dessert would have been to make in 1830 vs. today. There were no stand mixers or culinary torches and the ice cream would have been made from scratch. It was truly a labour of love.

A version very close to the original is still served at Delmonico’s in New York today. Around 100 orders of walnut sponge cake layered with apricot compote and banana gelato, covered with torched meringue are served daily.

Process photo collage showing how to add layers to a Baked Alaska heart shaped mold.

Ingredients

  • Ice Cream
  • Sponge Cake
  • Egg Whites
  • Sugar
  • Cream of Tartar

Buy the ice cream flavor you enjoy the most. For this recipe I bought three: chocolate, Strawberry, and Raspberry Chocolate Chunk Haagen Dazs. However, feel free to only buy one (or several) depending on how many layers you want in the final dessert.

You can also buy sponge cake if you like. However, I created a thinner sponge cake than the one featured in my Australian Lamingtons post by baking it in a larger pan. Feel free to use your own ideas here…a brownie base is quite delicious as well.

Carefully separate the egg whites from the yolks and save the yolks to use in another recipe. Note that the whites won’t whip if there is even the tiniest amount of yolk present.

Cream of tartar acts as a stabilizer when whipped into the meringue. Feel free to leave it out if you don’t have any.

A heart shaped Baked Alaska covered in white meringue on a red rimmed plate.

How to Make a Baked Alaska

Begin by measuring the volume of the container you are using as a mold. Fill it with water, then measure as you pour it out. This is how much ice cream you will need to buy.

Allow the ice cream to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before using (it should be spreadable but not fully melted). Make a pattern of the top of the mold by tracing it with a pencil onto parchment paper. Cut it out and save it to use later on.

Prepare the mold by lining it with a layer of plastic wrap. This will make it much easier to remove the frozen ice cream cake later on.

Scoop and spread the first ice cream layer into the bottom of the mold. Try to get it as level as possible then freeze for 2 hours. Repeat with second ice cream flavour and so on. Or, buy enough ice cream to fill the entire mold with one flavour.

Bake the sponge cake (or brownies) and allow to cool completely. Use the parchment paper pattern to cut out the base cake shape.

Place the cutout cake on top of the last layer of ice cream. It doesn’t need to be in the mold but merely on top of the ice cream. Wrap the dessert with plastic wrap and freeze until you are ready for the final layer.

A heart shaped Baked Alaska covered in white meringue getting torched with a culinary torch.

Make the meringue, then remove the cake from the mold. To do this either allow it to sit for 10 minutes or place briefly in a sink of hot water (being careful not to immerse it entirely).

Place a cake stand or oven proof serving platter (if using oven method) on the unwrapped cake and flip it over. The ice cream cake should remove itself from the vessel. Remove the plastic wrap.

How to Make Meringue

To make the meringue, carefully separate 5 eggs and place the whites in a heat proof bowl. Whisk in sugar and add a pinch of cream of tartar.

Place one inch of water in a saucepan (or base of a double boiler) then place the bowl of egg whites over the water. Gently whisk as the water comes to a simmer.

Once the mixture is slightly warm to the touch and the sugar has all dissolved, transfer mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer. Whip the mixture with the whisk attachment until it becomes glossy and forms stiff peaks.

A heart shaped Baked Alaska covered in caramelized meringue being sliced for serving.

How to Keep the Ice Cream from Melting in a Baked Alaska

To keep the ice cream from melting, spread the meringue evenly over the ice cream. Cover the entire ice cream cake in a thick meringue blanket right down to the base (with no holes).

Alternatively, place the meringue in a pastry bag and pipe onto the cake using a large tip. Even easier…use a spatula to create lovely random swirls and spikes to add texture.

This voluminous layer of sugar whipped egg contains tiny air pockets which serve to insulate the ice cream from intense heat.

Baked Alaska Oven Meringue Method vs. Torch Method

If you intend to use a culinary torch on the meringue, cover and torch the dessert just before serving (people love a good show!). Hold the torch 3-4 inches away and move it over the meringue until it caramelizes to your satisfaction. Slice and serve immediately.

To use the oven method, you must freeze the entire dessert for another four hours. To serve, pre-heat the oven to 500F. Place the cake in the oven and keep close watch for 2-3 minutes as it browns. Serve immediately.

A heart shaped Baked Alaska with a slice taken out showing layers of ice cream.

Flavour Variations

As previously mentioned, the original Baked Alaska recipe was made with walnut sponge cake layered with apricot compote and banana gelato. However, this recipe is so incredibly easy to customize. Try these flavour combinations:

  • roasted pineapple gelato and coconut crunch cake with coconut caramel.
  • passionfruit gelato and brownie base.
  • coffee ice cream and chocolate base.
  • lemon curd ice cream and vanilla bases. Or lime.
  • Neapolitan style: chocolate, strawberry, vanilla.
  • Dark chocolate ice cream and caramel.
  • Cookies and Cream.
A heart shaped Baked Alaska with a slice taken out showing layers of ice cream.

Storing Leftover Baked Alaska

Once all the slices have been allocated for the evening, wrap the remaining cake in plastic wrap and freeze for 4-5 days.

Pinterest image of a heart shaped Baked Alaska covered in caramelized meringue on a red rimmed plate.

Looking for more Valentine’s Day recipes? The kids will love sharing these heart shaped Cherry Hand Pies with their friends. Or, follow the step-by-step guide to create a Chocolate Fondue for Two, a decadent dessert treat for you and your sweetie. Have kids? The fondue recipe doubles easily to make it a family affair.

Yield: 6-8 servings

Simply Sweet Valentine Baked Alaska

A heart shaped Baked Alaska covered in caramelized meringue on a red rimmed plate.

Baked Alaska combines layers of your favourite ice cream with spongy cake. Then, it's smothered in a dreamy caramelized meringue layer for an extra special Valentine's or special holiday treat.

Prep Time 50 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Additional Time 16 hours
Total Time 17 hours 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2-3 pints (approx 1 1/2 L) of premium ice cream such as Haagen Dazs or Ben and Jerry's; softened for 40 minutes
  • simple sponge cake or baked brownies (for the base)
  • 5 egg whites
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • pinch of cream of tartar

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT

  • Heart shaped bowl, jelly mold, or cake pan.
  • Stand mixer with whisk attachment
  • Culinary torch and butane

Instructions

  1. Trace the widest part of the vessel onto parchment paper, and cut it out to use as a pattern for the cake layer later. Line the bowl, jelly mold, or baking pan with a layer of plastic wrap.
  2. Spread a layer of softened ice cream at least an inch thick (or more). Freeze for 2 hours. You may or may not use the entire pint of ice cream for this layer depending on the volume of the mold.
  3. Spread a second layer* of a contrasting ice cream over the first layer. Freeze for another two hours. Repeat with another ice cream layer, if using.
  4. During the last 2 hour freeze period, bake a simple sponge cake**. I used this recipe and baked it in a 9x13 pan instead of an 8x8 pan. Allow it to cool, then cut it to fit the mold using the pattern you traced.
  5. Place the cake layer on top of the last ice cream layer. Wrap in plastic wrap and freeze overnight, or until you are almost ready to serve.
  6. For the meringue, gently separate 5 eggs and place the whites in a heat proof bowl. Whisk in sugar and cream of tartar.
  7. Place one inch of water in a saucepan and then place the egg white bowl over the water. Gently whisk as the water comes to a simmer.
  8. Once the mixture is slightly warm to the touch and the sugar has all dissolved, transfer mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer.
  9. Whip the mixture until it becomes glossy and forms stiff peaks.
  10. Remove the ice cream cake from the freezer and allow it to sit for 10 minutes or place briefly in a sink of hot water (being careful not to immerse it entirely).
  11. Place serving platter/cake stand on the unwrapped cake and flip it over. The ice cream cake should remove itself from the vessel. Remove the plastic wrap.
  12. Spread or pipe whipped meringue over the ice cream, making sure to cover the entire surface down to the serving platter.
  13. Use the spreader to make swirls and peaks in the meringue, then toast it with the culinary torch. (refer to body of post for oven method directions).
  14. Serve immediately or place back in freezer for up to 6 hours before serving.

Notes

*How many ice cream layers is up to you and the size of your vessel. Feel free to only have one solid ice cream heart, if you wish.

** or your favourite brownie recipe.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 545Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 87mgSodium: 197mgCarbohydrates: 93gFiber: 1gSugar: 75gProtein: 7g

Nutritional calculation was provided by Nutritionix and is an estimation only. For special diets or medical issues please use your preferred calculator.

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22 comments

  1. Jamie

    Wow! What a showstopper! This looks so beautiful for Valentine’s day and anniversaries! I’m definitely saving this to make for my husband! He’s going to love it!

    Reply

    1. Bernice Hill

      I hope he loves it as much as mine did!

  2. Tristin

    I have an extreme sweet tooth!! This dessert looks so delicious, I can not wait to try this recipe.

    Reply

    1. Bernice Hill

      Oh that makes two of us. Thanks for stopping by Tristin.

  3. Jenny

    What a great Baked Alaska! I love it, I have never attempted to make it, but now is the time! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!

    Reply

    1. Bernice Hill

      It’s crazy easy, just a bit time consuming. I’m sure back when it was first invented it was quite the ordeal.

  4. Loreto abd Nicoletta

    Bernice, you have done such a beautiful job on this baked Alaska!❤ I have not had this dessert in ages. I love how all the texture pkay together and with that torched top has me craving this real bad. Thanks for sharing so wonderful!🥰😋

    Reply

    1. Bernice Hill

      Thank you so much Loreto and Nicoletta! It was such a special treat, a bit old school for sure but still delicious.

  5. Helen

    Wow, there’s cake, ice cream and meringue all in one dessert. I’m sure it tastes incredible, I’d love my husband to make this for me. I shall be dropping a hint!

    Reply

  6. Heidy

    Up until the other day, I actually had never had the pleasure of eating Baked Alaska, and man, have I been missing out on a really awesome dessert. Happy weekend and thanks!

    Reply

    1. Bernice Hill

      Yep, it’s a classic for good reason. So glad you got to try one.

  7. Veronika

    Oh, this is my favorite dessert! It’s so hard to find it on restaurant menu, so I want to make it at home myself! Will try your recipe 😉

    Reply

    1. Bernice Hill

      Yes, it’s pretty old school. We only have one here that I know of and they do it Bombe style by lighting it on fire.

  8. Chef Dennis

    Valentine’s Day is over but it’s never too late to make this Sweet Valentine Baked Alaska for my wife!

    Reply

    1. Bernice Hill

      Very true! It would be a lovely birthday or anniversary dessert too.

  9. Andrea Howe

    Oh my gosh I haven’t had Baked Alaska since I went on a cruise 20 years ago! This looks so good and festive, I will definitely have to give it a try and make it for my family. they’d love it!

    Reply

    1. Bernice Hill

      haha, that’s awesome. It’s an oldie but a ‘goodie’!

  10. Gloria

    What a great date night dessert. Since most of us are cooking at home, might as well have some fun in the kitchen. Love it.

    Reply

    1. Bernice Hill

      I agree Gloria. I like to have at least a few special tricks in reserve for special occasions.

  11. Heather

    What a special Valentine’s Day treat! It looks so fancy!

    Reply

    1. Bernice Hill

      It is pretty fancy…but surprisingly easy to make. Plus, I love getting out the torch!

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