Individual Baked Alaskas
Individual Baked Alaskas are perfect for an elegant summer dessert. This retro Baked Alaska Recipe took me back to the lavish dinner parties in the 70’s.
Piping on the Meringue Recipe makes for an impressive mini dessert!
Why You Must Make
- These are not a run-of-the-mill dessert! They’re special!
- Everyone loves having their own personal dessert.
- Baked Alaskas are perfect for the holidays.
My mom and her friends did not have the Internet, but they utilized bridge club, church functions and coffees to share the latest recipes. Our kitchen was full of cookbooks, recipe cards and newspaper clippings for inspiration. Hey, sounds like MY kitchen! Some of their most gourmet dishes were created for an annual Progressive Dinner on New Year’s Eve.
I could imagine them enjoying a slice of Baked Alaska around 11 PM, with champagne flowing, and lots of laughter and merriment. They would end their party just in time to trudge through the snow, singing old show tunes, till they reached an even bigger gala by the stroke of midnight. I thought some Individual Baked Alaskas could be fun to try.
How to Make a Baked Alaska Recipe
I’ve made Baked Alaska for my family before. In true “Berg” style, the base was always made of brownies, then topped with vanilla ice cream and meringue. This time, I created individual servings by placing rounds of pound cake in the bottom of 4-ounce ramekins, followed by a dome of strawberry ice cream, then a toasted meringue cloud atop the ice cream.
My daughter, Katie, and I had quite a discussion in front of the ice cream freezer at Target. She nixed any chocolate ice creams which would have been her father’s first choice, and we both knew he would not be a fan of the peppermint stick or mint chocolate chip that she’d prefer. We finally settled on strawberry, the perfect choice as we approached Valentine’s Day.
Recipe Tips
- For these individual baked Alaskas, I wasn’t thrilled with this pound cake recipe. It worked fine, but flavor-wise, it was not spectacular. I think a Sara Lee pound cake from your grocer’s freezer or a bakery version would be an easy alternative.
- First, slice the cake to the thickness of your ramekins before cutting out rounds. This saves a lot of time and dirty dishes. Then cut into rounds to fit into your ramekins. Note that other firm cakes or brownies would work well, too.
- Next, form six domes of strawberry ice cream using a very small bowl as a mold. It should be the same diameter as your ramekins. The bowl was lined with plastic wrap for easy removal.
- Place the ice cream domes on a baking sheet and refreeze overnight. This minimizes melting when torching the meringue topping.
- Use your favorite ice cream flavor to make these baked Alaskas your own. To streamline the process, the can be done the day before you plan to serve these individual baked Alaskas.
- The meringue can be piped with a star tip like in my top photo…or, even easier, just smooth it on with a spoon or small spatula and give it some character with a few swoops and swirls.
- Use a culinary torch to brown the meringue before serving.
- Garnishing with juicy, ripe strawberries provides another note of sophistication.
This mini individual baked Alaska recipe garnered hubby’s seal of approval, from the cake to the ice cream to the meringue. So if you’re in need of an elegant, impressive dessert, give these individual baked Alaskas one a try. You’ll love these frozen treats!
Frequently Asked Questions
A baked Alaska is a dessert consisting of a layer of sponge cake, topped with a slab of ice cream before being finished with a meringue topping. It’s then baked in a very hot oven for just a few minutes until the meringue turns a golden brown.
The oven is very hot, so the time in the oven is minimal. Plus the meringue helps to insulate the ice cream during the brief browning time.
Also known as a Bombe Alaska, this dessert was developed by New York City’s Delmonico’s restaurant to honor the U.S.’s acquisition of Alaska from Russia in 1866.
Other names for a baked Alaska include glace au four, omelette norvégienne (Norwegian omelette), omelette surprise, debil sibérienne (Siberian omelette).
More Frozen Desserts You’ll Love:
- Frozen Chocolate Mousse Cake
- Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Pie
- Cheesecake Ice Cream
- Frozen Peanut Butter Pie
- S’mores Ice Cream Sundae
- Layered Ice Cream Cake
- Brownie Baked Alaska
- Frozen Chocolate Crepes
- More Dessert Recipes
Individual Baked Alaskas
Baked Alaska in ramekins so everyone has their own dessert!
Ingredients
Pound Cake*:
- 2 sticks (1 cup butter, at room temperature)
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 eggs (at room temperature)
- 1 ¼ cups cake flour
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Toppings:
- 1 quart strawberry ice cream (amount will vary depending on how much ice cream you use)
- 6 egg whites
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ¾ cups sugar
- Beautiful strawberries to garnish
Instructions
- To make the pound cake, line an 8 x 8-inch pan with nonstick foil. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350º.
- To make the pound cake batter, beat the butter and vanilla extract with the whisk attachment of electric mixer until creamy, about 5 minutes.
- Add the sugar, ¼ cup at a time and continue to beat until light and fluffy, about 10 more minutes.
- Add eggs, one at a time, mixing until incorporated. On low, mix in flour and salt until just incorporated.
- Spread batter in prepared pan. Bake for 25-28 minutes or till toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on rack.
- Set 6 ½-cup capacity ramekins on the counter. Find a round cookie cutter that will fit into center of the ramekin. My 2 ¾ inch diameter cutter worked well.
- When cool, cut circles of pound cake out with a cookie cutter. Gauge the size by the size of your ramekins. Place the cake rounds into bottom of 6 ramekins. Trim the bottoms if necessary so the cake does not come higher than the top of the ramekin. You may use pieces of cake if needed to completely fill ramekins.
- Place a scoop of ice cream on top of each piece of cake to form a dome. Refreeze cake and ice cream for at least an hour till ice cream is very hard. Alternatively, find a very small mixing bowl that, when is inverted, fits over cake , but is not wider than ramekin. Line bowl with plastic wrap and pack in ice cream. Wrap ice cream completely with plastic and place on a baking sheet. Repeat 5 more times and refreeze these ice cream domes at least one hour or overnight.
- When almost ready to serve, start the meringue. Beat the egg whies and cream of tartar to soft peaks using whisk attachment of mixer. Slowly add the sugar, one tablespoon at a time, while continuing to beat till meringue forms stiff peaks.
- Place meringue in a piping bag fit with a star peak. Put ice cream domes on top of cakes if you prefroze your ice cream portions.
- Quickly pipe meringue over each ice cream-topped cake. You may also spread meringue over ice cream with a spatula and make peaks with the back of a spoon.
- Using a kitchen torch, brown the meringues and serve. You may also broil the meringues for about 2 minutes but watch carefully so ice cream does not become too soft.
- Makes 6.
Notes
*Store-bought pound cake can be used instead of homemade.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 571Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 150mgSodium: 199mgCarbohydrates: 107gFiber: 2gSugar: 60gProtein: 13g
72 Comments on “Individual Baked Alaskas”
how pretty! I’ve been meaning to try a baked alaska recipe and think Valentine’s would be perfect. I have a small kitchen torch but need to get the butane (isn’t that what they use?). You can see I am a beginner with the torch. Can’t wait to try it out.
I’ve only had this one time on a cruise ship but boy was it memorable. Gorgeous dessert!
These are absolutely gorgeous, Liz!!!
These look incredible! Baked Alaska reminds me of my senior prom. Such great memories.
I would love to come to your house for Sunday Supper. This is very elegant Liz.
Very retro. So many memories. Maybe I am going back only 10 years but on New year’s Day we used to go to the same restaurant every year with the big family and this was always the dessert. Love your presentation.
Liz, I want to go back in time so that I can hang out with your mum. Trudging through the snow singing show tunes while looking for bigger ‘n better (aka boozier) parties at midnight?! So.much.fun! Your baked alaskas are lovely. I hate when I’m not happy with how a component turned out but as long as your hubs enjoyed it, that’s what counts, right?
This is absolutely amazing!!! I want to have dessert at your house, Liz :). So beautiful…yum.
I’m kind of obsessed with baked alaska! When I was little, I had it at a restaurant and decided it made me very fancy and sophisticated. I have never attempted at home. Well done!
Beautiful! I absolutely love that made individual ones. I feel like they really stand up better this way and everyone gets their own little tiny mountains.
I’ve only had baked alaska once, and it was a huuuuge thing. These little ones make a lot more sense.
OMG this sounds great!! I also remember my parents throwing lavish dinner parties when I was little. My mom would get some of her recipe ideas from the cooking shows that were available on PBS. Ah, memories… 🙂
Mmmm…I love baked alaska and this small version is perfect! Super cute Lizzy! Lovin it!
I just made what I though was an individual baked Alaska too, but I shared it with both of my parents and was still stuffed. So filling! I was shocked at how easy it is to make. Yours is so beautiful with that meringue on top piped perfectly.
These are so pretty…and I’m sure they taste fab! I wish you lived in Texas so I could drop in for dessert…
Wish I had been standing in your kitchen when you pulled this from the oven! Beautiful and I”m sure it was to die for!!!
This sounds a looks just wonderful! And it brings back sweet memories for me; we served this at my rehearsal dinner!
I love your choice with the pound cake…and strawberry is perfect =) I love foods that have a fond memory attached to them. What a lovely story. BTW, as long as you’re in the States, you won the Endangered Species Chocolate Giveaway. Send me your address, and they’ll be sending you your chocolately loot =)
whoa! Learning new things every day!! What a beauty this is Liz! Pound cake + ice-cream + meringue. Can’t get any better than this!
great idea! love the individual ones they always look so much prettier this is a knockout!
Retro recipes don’t come any better than Baked Alaska. This looks terrific, and I love the idea of making individual portions.
Liz, these are absolutely stunning!
These look so fancy and quote pretty – definitely a restaurant worthy dish! I bet they are delicious, too!
Looks scrumptious. First time on your blog and loving it.
this sweet is delicius, bye SILVIA
This is so gorgeous! I love bake alaska. What a great idea to make them in individual servings. hehe….
Oh I just love Baked Alaska, and what a wonderful idea to have individual ones. I haven’t made one in years – but would love to make one like these 🙂
These are so cute, Liz! Love the individual servings!
Love baked Alaska. Love the individual serving. I made a similar one last year or so with a cookie as the bottom layer. I’ve wanted to try brownie, too. Need to get on that. 😉
I remember baking this when I was in junior high & that was ages ago! Don’t think I can reach that level yet now. Lol! Such a beautiful 5-star presentation!
I’ve read about this desert a lot and I’ve always wanted to try it…
Though I thought you were supposed to bake them in an oven? Is it possible to bake individual portions in an oven?
Yes, you can toast the meringue under the broiler, but it may cause more melting of the ice cream. Just watch it carefully 🙂
What a gorgeous dessert! I would like to give this a try with the brownie base, as you’ve suggested. I’ve not seen this made as an individual portion before but it looks over-the-top impressive. Great idea! I’m going to tuck this idea away for Valentine’s.
Awesomeness!! That can be a tricky dessert.
I love the idea of individual Baked Alaskas because sometimes I don’t need to eat a big one by myself! Plus the last time I made a Baked Alaska, I had a leak in the brownie layer. At least here I wont have a mess 😉
I saw this on FB and had to come visit. I think this might be my most favorite “special” dessert.
That looks absolutely super delicious my friend and too cute 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
this looks so deeeelish. I have always wanted to try baked alaska, but never have!!! I am also reminded that I need to get some ramekins!! oh bella it feels great to jump back in, writing, reading posts – I even entered your giveaway, look out blogosphere, mangiabella is back on the scene!!!! wishing you such a delicious new year xoxo j
Lizzy, you never cease to amaze me… these are beautiful. I love the individual servings… so pretty. 🙂
Very retro and yet so now! Anything with meringue on top has to be good. I think I prefer the more deconstructed piling on of the meringue.
oh my goodness this looks amazing!! yum yum
Perfect recipe for the theme Liz! And I love that they are individual serving!
Both my parents would KILL for this – it’s one of their faves!
These are adorable! We must be telepathic, I’ve just been experimenting with some individual dessert ideas… so cute!
I love this because you can just make the amount you need, since really “leftover” baked Alaska just doesn’t work.
Hi Lizzy! Food is an effective trigger of deeper memories of feelings and emotions!
Your individually baked alaska looks awesome and elegant!
OMG your parents’ parties sound like SO MUCH FUN! How fancyyyy! These mini baked alaskas look sooooooo delicious too, as always I die over the toasted meringue, mmmm
What a Delicious food blog! I am feeling quite hungry now, can’t wait to eat those yummy food 🙂
I haven’t eaten Baked Alaska in years! As in decades. And I don’t recall ever making one. This looks so great, and I really like the idea of making them in individual ramekins. Excellent stuff! Thanks.
Looks wonderful – look that they are individual sized!
Nicely done they look divine!! I could go for one right about now!!
Oh boy – absolutely beautiful! Baked Alaska can be such a fun and tasty dessert – love your individual sized ones!!!!
I’ve never had one of these but have heard how worth it they are! Yours is gorgeous!
How adorable! I love these mini baked Alaskas, Liz! Pinned!
I don´t see why this dessert went out of style, because cake, ice cream and meringue together are so good. I love the second, more rustic one. They look fabulous, and I would´ve loved to go to your parent´s parties!
WOW, these look fabulous!!!!
These are so adorable Liz! I have never even had regular baked alaska, but it seems so elegant and like something that would be served at a fancy dinner party. Lovely :)!
Oh my gosh, I cannot wait to make my own version of baked alaska!
I have always wanted to make baked alaska! I made it once in highschool and it was wonderful! I can only imagine how great your recipe is!
yes yes yes! the idea of Baked Alaska is so comforting on this wintry rainy day
Just beautiful!
OMG Lizzy ! this look amazing really amazing ! I love retro recipes:)))
I love the idea of making this in ramekins instead of a big blob! They do give it an extra bit of elegance. When I was a kid, strawberry ice cream was my favorite. 🙂
You truly make dessert a work of art Lizzy! Absolutely beautiful!
So cool Liz! And what a beautiful treat for any occasion. Oh, and my husband would like the choice of strawberry ice cream too.
I love it. This is a dessert that I have never attempted at home but is on my bucket list to try.
First time I hear about this cake, it sounds very American. Anyhow I think it looks amazing, even though you mentioned you were not satisfied with the result. Happy Sunday Liz!
Baked Alaska is the pièce de résistance dessert in any restaurant. I’m a little intimidated by the torch as I’ve only used it once…But your fabulous photos and recipe are making me brave (and hungry!)
This looks so elegant and beautiful. Maybe someday I can graduate to producing these beautiful desserts 🙂
Oh my goodness this not only looks beautiful but it sounds delicious. I had heard the name Baked Alaska but I had never seen one so had no idea how wonderful it could be. The version with the brownie sounds wonderful but pound cake with strawberries is one of my favourite things so this version sounds perfect.
Well look at this beauty! I’ve never heard of this type of dessert before. It looks like a winner to me! Your brownie version sounds so good too!!!
Lizzie, this looks like an elegant dessert! I have not tried baked alaskas before but after finding out that the components are made up of cake, ice-cream and meringue, I am dead sure it’s something I will dig in with gusto!