Minty Baked Alaska Food

MINTY BAKED ALASKA

Steps:

• In a heatproof bowl of a stand mixer, whisk egg whites, sugar and cream of tartar until blended. Place over simmering water in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisking constantly, heat mixture until a thermometer reads 160°, 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat; add vanilla and salt. With the whisk attachment of a stand mixer, beat on high speed until stiff glossy peaks form and meringue has slightly cooled, 7-9 minutes. Fold in peppermint candy. , Preheat broiler. Place sponge cakes on an ungreased foil-lined baking sheet and top each with 1/3 cup ice cream. Immediately spread meringue over ice cream and cake, sealing it to foil on sheet. Broil 8 in. from heat until lightly browned, 3-5 minutes. Serve immediately.

MINI BAKED ALASKA

Steps:

• Prepare the brownie according to the package directions. Allow to cool completely; do not cut the brownie into pieces. Place the cooled slab of brownie on a flat surface. Using a 2-inch round cookie cutter, cut out 18 brownie circles; reserve the brownie trimmings for another use. Transfer the brownie circles to a serving platter.
• Put the marshmallow creme into a piping bag or a resealable plastic bag with one corner snipped.
• Working quickly, scoop vanilla ice cream onto each brownie circle. Quickly pipe marshmallow creme in a swirl shape around the brownie and ice cream so that they are completely covered. Use a kitchen torch to carefully heat the marshmallow domes until just browned. Serve immediately or store in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

BAKED ALASKA

Steps:

• Lift the One Bowl Brownies out of the pan using the overhanging foil. Use a 9-inch stainless steel bowl to cut out a circle; reserve the circle.
• Completely line the same 9-inch bowl with plastic wrap, leaving a 6-inch overhang around the edge. Scoop the softened ice cream into the bowl and use a rubber spatula to smooth it down. Carefully lift the brownie round with a flat spatula and place on top of the ice cream. If it breaks, that's ok, just use the brownie pieces to fill in the gaps. Fold the plastic wrap over the top of the brownie and place in the freezer until solid, 4 hours. Place a marble slab in the freezer to chill. (If you don't have a marble slab, place a baking sheet lined with foil in the freezer; it works just as well.)
• When ready to serve, place a small saucepan of water over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Add the egg whites to the bowl of a stand mixer, and then place the bowl over the simmering liquid, making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the hot water. Whisk until the egg whites are frothy, then add the sugar a tablespoon at a time, whisking well after each addition. Whisk in the cream of tartar. Keep whisking the eggs over the heat until the sugar has dissolved and the egg whites are warm, 2 to 3 minutes. Move the bowl to the stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat until stiff, glossy peaks form, 8 to 10 minutes. Beat in the vanilla and mix until combined.
• Remove the bowl with the ice cream from the freezer. Unwrap the top of the plastic wrap, pop the molded ice cream/brownie out of the bowl and place it brownie-side down on the chilled marble slab. Remove the plastic wrap. Completely cover the ice cream and brownie with the meringue, making sure to seal the edges on the chilled slab. Bring the baked Alaska out to your guests, set it on the table and use a kitchen torch to brown the meringue!
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F; line a 13-by-9-inch cake pan with foil and leave a 2-inch overhang on all sides. Spray with nonstick spray.
• Add the butter to a medium glass bowl and melt in the microwave. Add the cocoa, granulated sugar and brown sugar, and stir vigorously until the mixture is smooth. Stir in the eggs one at a time, stirring well until mixed in completely after each addition. Add the flour, salt and vanilla extract and again stir vigorously until the batter is well combined.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth down and even the top. Bake until a cake tester inserted in the center of the brownie comes out clean with just a few crumbs, 30 minutes. Let cool completely.

BAKED ALASKA

Steps:

• Line the bottom and sides of an 8-inch round mixing bowl or deep 8-inch square container with foil. Spread ice cream in container, packing firmly. Cover and freeze 8 hours or until firm.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8x8 inch pan.
• Prepare cake mix with egg and almond extract. Pour into prepared pan.
• Bake in preheated oven according to package instructions, until center of cake springs back when lightly touched.
• Beat egg whites with cream of tartar, salt and sugar until stiff peaks form.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment or heavy brown paper. Place cake in center. Turn molded ice cream out onto cake. Quickly and prettily spread meringue over cake and ice cream, all the way to paper to seal. Return to freezer 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Bake the Alaska on the lowest shelf, 8 to 10 minutes, or until meringue is lightly browned. Serve at once.

CHOCOLATE MINT BAKED ALASKA

Steps:

• Combine over hot (not boiling) water, 1/2 cup mint-chocolate chips and butter.
• Stir until chips are melted and mixture is smooth.
• Add chocolate wafer crumbs, stir until well blended.
• Press into bottom of 9-inch springform pan, freeze until firm.
• Combine over hot (not boiling) water, remaining 1 cup of chips, corn syrup, and heavy cream.
• Stir until chips are melted and mixture is smooth.
• Cool to room temperature.
• In a large bowl, whip the ice cream until smooth but not melted.
• Gradually stir in chocolate mixture (flecks will appear in ice cream).
• Spoon into center of crust, mounding high in center and leaving 3/4-inch edge.
• Using spatula, smooth to form dome.
• Freeze until firm.
• Remove sides of pan.
• Preheat oven to 450?°F.
• In a large bowl, combine egg whites and cream of tartar, beat until soft peaks form.
• Gradually add sugar, beat until stiff peaks form.
• Spread meringue over ice cream and crust to cover completely, swirl to decorate.
• Bake at 450°F for 4-6 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Serve immediately!

BIRTHDAY BAKED ALASKA

Steps:

• Make the cake: Line a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap or parchment paper, leaving an overhang.
• Put the sliced strawberries, sugar, and lime or lemon juice in a small bowl, stir and set aside for 2 hours while you put together the rest of the cake.
• Each type of ice cream has to be softened before you can use it, so, as you need it, cut it into hunks, put the pieces in a large bowl, and bash and beat them with a sturdy flexible spatula or wooden spoon until spreadable. If you're using homemade ice cream, you can take it straight from the ice cream maker.
• Soften the blueberry ice cream, then spread it evenly over the bottom of the loaf pan. Smooth the top. Cover, and freeze for at least 1 hour.
• Soften the vanilla ice cream, stir in the coconut, then smooth it over the blueberry ice cream. Level the top. Cover, and freeze for at least 1 hour.
• Drain the strawberries. Soften the strawberry ice cream, and stir the berries into it. Spread the ice cream over the vanilla layer, and smooth the top.
• Gently press ladyfingers into the soft ice cream to make a base layer; don't worry if you have some bare spots. Cover, and freeze until firm, at least 4 hours. (You can do this up to 1 week in advance of serving, if you'd like.)
• At least 1 hour (or up to 8 hours) before serving, make the meringue: Bring a few inches of water to a simmer in a large saucepan that can hold the bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl that you can use with a hand mixer. Whisk the egg whites and sugar together in the bowl, place the bowl over the water - making sure it's not touching - and whisk until the sugar is completely dissolved and smooth. The mixture should be 160 degrees. Don't rush this; it needs about 10 minutes. If necessary, attach the bowl to the mixer, and fit with the whisk. Beat the meringue on medium-high speed for about 6 minutes, or until it's fluffy, glossy and holds stiff peaks.
• Unmold the ice cream cake onto a serving platter, one that is large enough to catch the kirsch, if you're using it, and peel away the plastic or paper. Using a spatula, cover the sides with a thick layer of meringue - creating swirls, if you'd like - and cover the top with a thinner one.
• Now you have a choice: You can pipe meringue spikes over the top, layer more meringue on top, and swirl or spike it with the back of a spoon, or make spikes by hand by pulling it into points with your fingers. Continue until you've got a pattern you like. Freeze the cake for at least 1 hour.
• To finish the cake, use a kitchen torch to brown the meringue on the top of the cake or use flaming kirsch: Put the kirsch in a small pan over low heat for about 2 minutes. Carefully light the kirsch with a long match. Slowly drizzle the flaming alcohol evenly over the entire cake, and watch it toast the meringue. It will burn off on its own.
• Cut into thick slices, and serve immediately. You can keep the cake covered and frozen for a day, but it's at its best the day it is made.

GRASSHOPPER BAKED ALASKA

Steps:

• In a microwave-safe bowl, melt butter and chocolate; stir until smooth. Stir in sugar. Beat in vanilla and eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; stir into chocolate mixture. , Transfer to a greased 8-in. round baking pan. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs (do not overbake). Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely., Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the ice cream, Andes candies, liqueurs and, if desired, food coloring. Transfer to an 8-in. round bowl (1-1/2 qts.) lined with plastic wrap; freeze until set. , In a large heavy saucepan, combine the egg whites, sugar and cream of tartar. With a hand mixer, beat on low speed for 1 minute. Continue beating over low heat until egg mixture reaches 160°, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; beat until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved., Place brownie on an ungreased foil-lined baking sheet; top with inverted ice cream mold. Remove plastic wrap. Immediately spread meringue over ice cream, sealing to edges of brownie. Freeze until ready to serve, up to 24 hours., Bake at 400° for 2-5 minutes or until meringue is lightly browned. Transfer to a serving plate; serve immediately.

MINI BAKED ALASKA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, line a standard jelly roll pan with parchment paper.
• Mix the cake mix, 4 egg yolks, oil and water in bowl, blend for 2 minutes.
• Pour into pan and bake for 20-25 minutes.
• Remove the cake from the oven and cool completely before turning it out of the pan.
• Invert into a flat, clean working surface, carefully peel off the parchment paper
• With a 2 1/2-3 inch cookie cutter, cut out cake into rounds.
• Dust off crumbs and place on a clean baking sheet lined with more parchment paper.
• Top each cake with a scoop of ice cream and put the pan in the freezer until ice cream is firm.
• Leave in the freezer until just before you wish to serve.
• Beat 4 egg whites until soft peaks form, slowly add the sugar and vanilla extract and continue to beat until firm peaks hold.
• Turn on broiler (high heat).
• Remove ice cream cakes from the freezer and quickly frost with the egg white meringue.
• Insert pan into the broiler for about 1 minute, just until the meringue begins to brown. Don't let ice cream melt. Note: If you have a blowtorch use that instead. Serve immediately on chilled plates.