Vanilla Raspberry Baked Alaska Food

VANILLA-RASPBERRY BAKED ALASKA

Steps:

• Dacquoise: Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Use a pencil to trace six 3 1/2-inch-diameter circles on a piece of parchment. Turn over parchment and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Using a food processor, finely grind almonds. Transfer to a small bowl and whisk in confectioners' sugar. In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat together egg whites and salt until frothy. Continue beating on high speed while gradually adding superfine sugar until stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes. Remove bowl from mixer and gently fold almond mixture into meringue. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain round tip. Use a small amount of meringue to adhere prepared parchment to each corner of baking sheet. Pipe rounds of meringue using traced circles as a guide, starting at outer edge of each circle and moving toward center. Bake until firm and dry, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Let cool completely on sheet.
• Filling: Line six 4-inch bowls with plastic wrap and freeze until chilled, at least 20 minutes. Spread about 6 tablespoons sorbet into each bowl, pressing firmly into bottom to create a smooth surface and prevent air pockets. Freeze until solid, about 1 hour. Spread about 1/2 cup ice cream evenly over sorbet in each bowl, pressing firmly to create a smooth surface and prevent air pockets. Place one dacquoise round, top-side down, on ice cream, pressing gently to adhere. Wrap overhanging plastic over the top and freeze until solid, at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
• Unwrap plastic on top of bowls (dip exterior of bowls in warm water to loosen, if necessary). Invert bowls onto a rimmed baking sheet, remove plastic wrap, and refreeze until ready to serve.
• Meringue Topping: Just before serving, combine egg whites and sugar in the heatproof bowl of a stand mixer set over (not in) a pot of simmering water. Whisk until sugar is dissolved and mixture is warm to the touch. Transfer bowl to mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and beat until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a 3/8-inch plain round tip (such as Ateco #804); decoratively pipe meringue over each bombe to cover. Lightly brown meringue all over with a small kitchen torch. Serve immediately.

SUMMER BERRY BAKED ALASKA

Steps:

• Simmer blackberries, sugar, and 1/4 cup water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until the blackberries are soft and very saucy, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in the lemon juice and zest. Pour into a pie plate and let cool to room temperature.
• Spray a 3 1/2-quart metal or glass bowl with cooking spray and line with plastic wrap, leaving a 1-inch overhang over the edge of the bowl.
• Spread 2 cups of vanilla ice cream over the bottom of the bowl. Use a large piece of plastic wrap to press the ice cream down into the bowl. Dip both sides of half the angel food cake in to the blackberry syrup (like you do with French toast) and arrange, on top of the ice cream, tearing pieces of cake as needed to cover in a flat layer. Top with any remaining sauce.
• Spread the raspberry sorbet over the angel food cake. Use a large piece of plastic wrap to press down the sorbet. Flatten with a spatula and top with the remaining angel food cake slices, tearing pieces of cake as needed to cover in a flat layer. Fold the overhanging plastic over top and gently press down. Freeze until hard, at least 4 hours up to overnight.
• Make the meringue: Whip the egg whites and cream of tartar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until foamy, about 2 minutes. Increase the speed to high, gradually add the sugar and whip until the whites hold stiff peaks and the sugar has dissolved, 5 minutes more. Invert the ice cream cake onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, remove the plastic wrap. (If the cake is difficult to remove, let the bowl stand overturned until it slips out easily, about 5 minutes.) Spread the meringue evenly over the sides, but slightly thicker on top. Use the back of a spoon to make large swirly peaks. Freeze 3 hours or up to 2 days.
• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Bake the dessert until the meringue is browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Alternately, use a small torch to brown the meringue all over. Use two large spatulas to transfer the baked Alaska to a large serving plate, cake stand or cutting board. Slice into wedges.

STRAWBERRY BAKED ALASKA

Steps:

• For cake:
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Spray 9-inch-diameter springform pan with nonstick spray. Whisk eggs, sugar, and vanilla in large metal bowl to blend. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water (do not allow bowl to touch water); whisk constantly just until mixture is warm, about 2 minutes. Remove bowl from over water. Using electric mixer, beat mixture until very thick and ribbons form when beaters are lifted, about 7 minutes. Add flour in 3 additions, gently folding just to combine after each. Fold in poppy seeds, then quickly fold in butter in 2 additions (do not overfold). Pour batter into prepared pan.
• Bake cake until top is golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 28 minutes. Cool completely in pan on rack. Remove pan sides.
• For filling:
• Line 4-quart 10-inch-diameter bowl with plastic wrap, leaving 8-inch overhang. Spread sorbet in even layer over bottom (not sides) of bowl. Spread ice cream over sorbet. Place cake atop ice cream, pressing slightly to compact. Cover with plastic wrap overhang; freeze at least 4 hours or overnight.
• For meringue:
• Using electric mixer, beat egg whites in large bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time; beat until thick and glossy. Beat in vanilla.
• Unfold plastic wrap from over cake at top of bowl. Invert dessert onto 9-inch-diameter tart pan bottom; remove plastic wrap. Working quickly, spread meringue over dessert, swirling to form peaks and covering completely. Freeze at least 30 minutes. (Can be made 1 day ahead; keep frozen.)
• Preheat oven to 500°F. Place dessert on its tart pan bottom on heavy large baking sheet. Bake just until meringue is light golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer to platter. Serve immediately.

BAKED ALASKA

Steps:

• Spoon ice cream into a 1-1/2-qt. bowl lined with plastic wrap; freeze until firm. Line a greased 9-in. round baking pan with waxed paper; grease the paper and set aside. Place a clean kitchen towel over a wire rack; dust towel with confectioners' sugar. Set aside., In a large bowl, beat the eggs, 3 tablespoons water and vanilla. Gradually add 1/2 cup sugar, beating until thick and lemon-colored. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; fold into egg mixture. , Gently spoon into prepared pan. Bake at 375° for 12-15 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Immediately run a knife around edge of pan; invert onto prepared wire rack. Gently peel off waxed paper; cool completely., In a large heavy saucepan, combine the egg whites, cream of tartar and remaining sugar and water; beat on low speed with a portable mixer for 1 minute. Continue beating over low heat until mixture reaches 160°, about 12 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add rum extract; beat until stiff peaks form and sugar is dissolved, about 4 minutes. , Place cake on an ungreased foil-lined baking sheet; unmold ice cream and place over cake. Immediately spread meringue over ice cream and cake, sealing it to foil; sprinkle with almonds. Freeze until ready to serve, up to 24 hours. , Just before serving, heat with a creme brulee torch or broil on lowest oven rack position for 3-5 minutes or until meringue is light browned. Serve immediately.

INDIVIDUAL CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY BAKED ALASKAS

Steps:

• Make cake:
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan, then line bottom with wax paper and butter paper.
• Melt chocolate and butter in a metal bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water, stirring, until smooth. Remove bowl from pan and whisk 3/4 cup sugar into chocolate mixture. Whisk in whole eggs and salt, then sift cocoa over and whisk until just combined.
• Pour batter into baking pan, spreading evenly, and bake in middle of oven until a tester comes out with a few crumbs adhering, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool cake in pan on a rack 5 minutes, then invert onto rack and cool completely.
• Cut cake into 6 equal pieces, then arrange 1 piece in each gratin dish, trimming to fit. Top each piece of cake with a large scoop of ice cream (about 1/2 cup), then freeze, covered, just until ice cream is hard, about 25 minutes (do not let ice cream become rock hard unless making ahead - see cooks' note, below).
• Make meringue just before serving:
• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Beat egg whites and a pinch of salt with an electric mixer until they just hold soft peaks. Add remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar a little at a time, beating at high speed, and continue beating until whites just hold stiff, glossy peaks, about 5 minutes in a standing mixer or about 12 minutes with a handheld.
• Remove gratin dishes from freezer and mound meringue over ice cream and cake, spreading to edge of gratin dish. Bake on a baking sheet in middle of oven until golden brown, about 6 minutes. Serve immediately.

RASPBERRY BAKED ALASKA

Steps:

• Slice the cake into six 1/2-inch-thick slices. Cut six (2 1/2-inch) circles--one from each slice--with an unfluted round cookie cutter, discarding the scraps. (You can also use a small knife.) Place the cake rounds 2 inches apart on a flat dish that will fit in your freezer.
• Soften the sorbet and ice cream just enough to be able to scoop them with a standard 2 1/4-inch-diameter ice cream scoop (15 to 30 seconds in the microwave works). Fill half the scoop with raspberry sorbet and the rest of the scoop with vanilla ice cream and place an ice cream ball, flat side down, in the middle of each cake round. Freeze for at least 30 minutes, until the ice cream is very hard.
• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
• To make the Swiss meringue, place the egg whites and sugar in a heat-proof glass bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Whisk the mixture almost constantly, until it reaches 120 degrees F on a candy thermometer and the sugar has dissolved. Pour the mixture into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Add the vanilla, cream of tartar, and salt and beat on medium speed for one minute, then on high speed for 5 minutes, until the egg whites form stiff, glossy peaks.
• Transfer the cake rounds and ice cream to a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Working quickly, spread the meringue with a spoon or small spatula, making lots of peaks all over with the back of the spoon. (You can also use a pastry bag fitted with a large fluted tip and pipe the meringue thickly around each ball of ice cream and cake.) Be sure all of the ice cream is covered with meringue. Bake for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes, until the edges of the meringues are browned, turning the pan once to brown evenly. Transfer to dessert plates, drizzle Fresh Raspberry Sauce around each baked Alaska, and serve immediately.
• Place the raspberries, sugar, and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 4 minutes. Pour the cooked raspberries, the jam, and the framboise into the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and process until smooth. Pour into a container and chill. The sauce can be refrigerated for up to one week.

RASPBERRY BAKED ALASKA PIE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, brown sugar and butter. Press onto the bottom and up the sides of a 9-in. pie plate; freeze until set., Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine the cornstarch, water and lemon juice until smooth. Stir in raspberries and lemon zest. Cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat until mixture just comes to a boil. Remove from the heat; transfer to a small bowl. Cool slightly; refrigerate until chilled., Spread 1-1/2 cups ice cream into crust; cover and freeze for 1 hour. Drizzle with 1/2 cup raspberry sauce; freeze until set. Repeat layers, freezing after each layer. Top with remaining ice cream. Cover and freeze for 8 hours or overnight., In a large heavy saucepan, combine egg whites and sugar. With a hand mixer, beat on low speed for 1 minute. Continue beating over low heat until egg mixture reaches 160°, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; beat until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved., Immediately spread meringue over ice cream, sealing to edges of pie. Heat with a creme brulee torch or broil 8 in. from the heat for 3-5 minutes or until meringue is lightly browned. Serve immediately with remaining sauce.

BAKED ALASKA

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter and line a 20cm cake tin. Beat together the butter and sugar using a hand whisk or freestanding mixer, for 5 mins until pale and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla and eggs, then fold through the flour, lemon zest and milk. Spoon the mixture into the tin, smooth over and bake for 18-20 mins until golden and firm to the touch. Leave to cool completely before starting the meringue.
• Whisk the egg whites to stiff peaks in a clean bowl, then add the sugar 1 tbsp at a time while whisking continuously, until you have a thick, glossy mixture that holds its shape when the beaters are lifted away from the bowl. Quickly beat in the vinegar.
• Remove the ice cream from the freezer 10 mins before you assemble to soften slightly. Place the sponge on a serving plate. Spread the jam over the top of the sponge in an even layer. Scoop balls of the ice cream into a mound in the middle of the sponge, leaving a 1-2cm gap of sponge around the edge. Gently smooth the side and top of the ice cream with a palette knife. Spoon and swirl the meringue around the outside of the ice cream and cake base with a large spoon. Use a blow torch to evenly brown the outside of the meringue, if you have one. Cut into wedges to serve.

BAKED ALASKA PIE

Steps:

• Chill baked crust.
• Preheat broiler 10 minutes or so.
• In a heavy-bottomed sauce pan add marshmellows and water heat over low heat until melted.
• Stir constantly.
• Set aside.
• Beat egg whites until stiff.
• Add sugar and salt.
• Mix well.
• Fold in marshmellow mixture until well incorporated.
• Remove crust from fridge.
• Sprinkle crust with 1 cup of berries.
• Fill crust with ice cream.
• Sprinkle ice cream with 1 cup of berries.
• Top with meringue covering pie completely.
• Broil several inches inches below heat until lightly browned.
• Serve at once plain or with your favorite sauce*.
• (This pie may be frozen as soon as pie is browned. Remove from oven and place in freezer. After an hour, remove from freezer and cover with plastic. Return to freezer. To serve: let stand at room temp for 45 minutes.) Raspberry Sauce: Heat though and serve.