Baked Alaska

This delicious dessert is sure to impress; with its warm soft meringue outer layer and cool ice cream interior on a base of soft sponge cake. 

Ingredients 3 egg whites 
                    175 g caster sugar
                    sponge cake
                    vanilla ice cream
                    jam of preferred flavour
                    mint and strawberries for garnishing 

List of items you will need - plus a pipping bag or metal spoon.

Step 1 Preheat the oven to gas mark 6 /200 'C

Step 2 Add the egg whites and sugar into a CLEAN AND DRY bowl and whisk at full speed until meringue holds stiff peaks

Step 3 Cut a base of sponge cake and spread a think layer of jam of your choice, a berry jam works well.

Step 4 Add a dollop of ice cream - not too much 1 or 2 scoops is enough.

Step 5 Start pipping the meringue on top. Work quickly to prevent the meringue from going limp but make sure there are not holes or gaps.

Step 6 Place in oven for 6-7 minutes until meringue turns gold and add garnish.

Q : But you put it in the oven, how come the ice cream doesn't melt?

A: Simple physics ! The meringue traps in lots of air when you whisk it , which is why it increases in volume and becomes fluffy. Air is a very bad conductor (and good insulator) which means the heat from the oven isn't passed on into the center, thus leaving the ice cream cold. 

Enjoy your treat ! ~N