What is baked Alaska, and why is it paraded around cruise ships?
Baked Alaska is the cruise equivalent of "The Price Is Right" — a decades-old phenomenon that has, inexplicably, been able to withstand the test of time, with or without Bob Barker.
And when it comes to baked Alaska, cruise ships are a prime place to find the quirky hot-meets-cold dish. Yet do not think, dear reader, that you will simply order this dessert like any other. Oh no. A zealous group of waiters in costumes, having torched the dessert so that it's literally aflame, will parade it around the dining room until a piece comes to rest at your table.
So, what, exactly, is baked Alaska, and how do you make it (should you be daring enough to try)? Which cruise lines host baked Alaska parades, and why is it still such a popular tradition on cruise ships? TPG answers all your burning questions here.
What is baked Alaska?
Baked Alaska is a dessert that consists of a sponge or pound cake base with an ice cream center and a topping of meringue. The dish got its name because you're baking something that is traditionally served cold. (Ice cream = Alaska in this metaphor. Get it?)
If you've ever tried to make baked Alaska, you know it's a tricky feat. Because the dessert's bottom and top layers both have to be baked, its perfectly intact -- if made correctly -- ice cream center is a fascinating and tasty mystery. How does the preparer keep it from melting?
The answer is in the meringue, which acts ingeniously as insulation between the heat source -- either an oven or a blowtorch -- and the ice cream just below the meringue.
Where did baked Alaska come from?
As is the case with many great culinary breakthroughs, baked Alaska's origins are murky. Some sources claim it was invented by Charles Ranhofer, a chef at Delmonico's in New York City in the 1850s. Others say it was created in 1867 by Chef Antoine Alciatore at his New Orleans restaurant Antoine's in celebration of the United States' acquisition of the 49th state that year.
Which cruise lines serve baked Alaska?
Despite its mysterious past, this delectable treat has become a staple on many cruise lines' ships, including those in the Holland America Line, Seabourn and Carnival Cruise Line fleets, to name a few.
In fact, Carnival is known for its baked Alaska parades, which happen once per cruise in the main dining rooms. Waiters carry flaming trays of the sweet treat and weave a route around the tables as cruisers twirl their napkins in the air. It's a bit hokey, but passengers love this throwback to the early days of cruising.
How do you make baked Alaska?
Now, for the most important part: how to make baked Alaska.
As it turns out, baked Alaska is a bit complicated, so I looked to the Food Network for help. More detailed instructions can be found on the network's website, but here's the quick and dirty version. Below that, if you're searching for a tried-and-true cruise line baked Alaska recipe, you can also find Carnival's version in the included photos.
Baked Alaska recipe
Ice cream cake ingredients
- Vegetable oil.
- 1 pint fruit sorbet.
- 1 pint vanilla ice cream.
- 1 pint chocolate ice cream.
- 1 cup chocolate wafer crumbs.
- 1 loaf pound cake.
Meringue ingredients
- 1 cup egg whites (about 6 large eggs).
- 1 pinch cream of tartar.
- 1 cup sugar.
Directions
Alternate scoops of ice cream and sorbet in a metal bowl greased with oil and lined with plastic wrap, saving half of the chocolate ice cream for later. Cover with plastic wrap and press gently to remove gaps between scoops. Remove plastic, sprinkle with wafer crumbs and recover. Freeze about 30 minutes.
Remove the wrap, and add the remaining chocolate ice cream. Cut the cake into 1/2-inch slices, and arrange the slices over the ice cream. Cover with fresh plastic wrap, and freeze for at least 2 more hours.
Make the meringue by whipping the egg whites and cream of tartar with a mixer until foamy. Beat in sugar until the whites are glossy and hold stiff peaks.
Remove the plastic wrap from the ice cream bowl, and flip the contents upside down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Remove the lower layer of plastic. Cover the ice cream completely with meringue, making sure the top is thicker than the sides. Freeze for 3 hours.
Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Bake until the meringue is golden. Alternately, used a blowtorch to brown it. Allow to cool for 5 to 10 minutes, and put any leftovers back in the freezer.
Got more cruise questions? TPG has answers:
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.