National Baked Alaska Day

A person wearing a chef hat holding a delicious Baked Alaska dessert with a snowy mountain backdrop.. — National baked alaska day illustration

Welcome to National Baked Alaska Day! Get ready to celebrate this delicious dessert that's as cool as ice. Whether you're a fan of cake or ice cream, Baked Alaska brings them together in perfect harmony. So, grab your fork and get ready to dive into a sweet treat that's out of this world!

When is Baked Alaska Day?

It's national baked alaska day on the 1st February.

The Birth of Baked Alaska

Let's take a trip back in time to uncover the origins of Baked Alaska. It all started in the late 19th century, a time when fancy dinner parties were all the rage. French chef Charles Ranhofer, working at New York's famous Delmonico's Restaurant, is credited with creating this extravagant dessert.

Ranhofer combined three delightful components to make Baked Alaska: sponge cake, ice cream, and meringue. By layering these elements and then sealing them with a fluffy meringue, he created a dessert that could withstand intense heat. Baked Alaska quickly became a sensation among the elite, who loved the novelty of a frozen dessert that could survive being baked in the oven.

How to Make Baked Alaska

Fancy trying your hand at creating this marvelous dessert? Don't worry; it's easier than you might think! Start by baking a sponge cake and letting it cool completely. Then, select your favorite ice cream flavors and form a dome-shaped layer on top of the cake.

Next, whip up some meringue, preferably using egg whites and sugar. Carefully cover the entire ice cream-cake dome with the meringue, making sure there are no gaps. Now comes the fun part - baking it! Pop your creation into a preheated oven for a few minutes until the meringue turns golden brown. And voila! You've made your very own Baked Alaska!

Celebrating National Baked Alaska Day

So, how can you make the most of this sweet celebration? First and foremost, treat yourself to a slice of Baked Alaska from your favorite bakery or restaurant. If you're feeling adventurous, gather your loved ones and hold a Baked Alaska baking competition. It's a delicious way to spend quality time together and flex your culinary skills.

Remember, Baked Alaska is a versatile dessert, so feel free to get creative with flavors and decorations. Whether you prefer chocolate, strawberry, or something more daring like pistachio, the choice is yours. Just be mindful that too much experimenting might result in a melty mess!

Did You Know?

Did you know that Baked Alaska was rumored to have been created to celebrate the purchase of Alaska by the United States? While the exact connection remains unclear, the timing of its creation around the same period as the Alaska purchase might have given rise to this wonderful culinary tale.

History behind the term 'Baked Alaska'

1804

The discovery of ice cream

In the year 1804, an American confectioner named Thomas Jefferson first introduced ice cream to the United States. He encountered the delightful frozen treat during his time in France as the United States Minister to France.

1867

The creation of baked Alaska

In 1867, French chef Charles Ranhofer, who was working at Delmonico's Restaurant in New York City, created a dessert called "Alaska, Florida." The dessert consisted of ice cream placed on a sponge cake base and covered with meringue.

1876

The renaming to Baked Alaska

In 1876, the dessert "Alaska, Florida" was renamed to "Baked Alaska" by Charles Ranhofer at Delmonico's Restaurant, providing a more fitting name to the dessert that perfectly described its unique preparation method. The name change also helped to popularize the dessert further.

1907

Baked Alaska's appearance in a cookbook

In 1907, the first known recipe for Baked Alaska was published in "La Cuisine Creole: A Collection of Culinary Recipes" by Lafcadio Hearn. This inclusion in a cookbook helped spread the popularity of the dessert and ensured its place in culinary history.