- For the génoise sponge:
- 125g caster sugar
- 4 medium free-range eggs
- 125g plain flour
- 25g butter, melted
- For the baked Alaska:
- 300g caster sugar
- 6 free-range egg whites
- 1 x 500g tub firm rum and raisin ice cream
Ingredients
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 180C. Grease and line a 23cm/9in round cake tin.
2. For the génoise sponge, put the sugar and eggs in a large bowl and whisk until thick and pale. Fold in the flour and melted butter and pour into the prepared cake tin.
3. Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes, or until risen and springy to the touch. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool. When cool enough to handle, turn out on to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. For the baked Alaska, bring 50ml water and the caster sugar to the boil in a saucepan (CAUTION: Hot sugar can be dangerous as it boils over very quickly. Do not leave unattended).
5. Meanwhile, whisk the egg whites in a large clean bowl, using a freestanding mixer or an electric whisk, until stiff peaks form when the whisk is removed.
6. When the sugar reaches 121C on a sugar thermometer, remove the pan from the heat. With the whisk or mixer running slowly, carefully pour the sugar syrup into the whisked egg whites in a thin stream, taking care not to let the hot sugar hit the beaters as it may splash. Continue to whisk until all the syrup has been incorporated into the egg whites and the mixture is glossy. Continue to whisk the egg white mixture at a slow speed until it has almost completely cooled (about 5 minutes).
7. Cut a circle of sponge out using a small cutter
8. Shape the ice cream in the centre of the sponge base. Spread half of the meringue mixture all over the ice cream and sponge base using a palette knife, making sure there aren't any gaps. Transfer the remaining meringue mixture to a piping bag fitted with a nozzle and pipe it over the top of the meringue layer to decorate.
9. Bake in oven at 250 for 3/4 minutes and serve immediately.
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