INDIVIDUAL BAKED ALASKAS

These Individual Lemon Baked Alaskas are a delightful twist on the classic dessert, featuring a tart lemon curd ice cream atop a light genoise sponge, all encased in a sweet, marshmallow-like Italian meringue. Inspired by a memorable dessert experience on a cruise, this recipe combines the cold, creamy texture of the ice cream with the airy sweetness of the meringue, making for a spectacular dessert that's as enjoyable to make as it is to eat.

Instructions

For the Lemon Curd Ice Cream: (Make this two days in advance)

Finely grate the zest and squeeze the juice from the lemon.
Very lightly whip the cream with an electric or hand whisk until it is just starting to thicken -you're aiming for the stage where it's just starting to form soft peaks.
Using a metal spoon, fold in the lemon zest and juice, honey and yogurt.
Gradually fold in the lemon curd then pour into a 1 or 1.5 litre (2-3 pint) freezer proof tub with lid. Place in the freezer for several hours or overnight, until frozen.* (see note about pouring directly into moulds) Remove every hour or so to stir with a fork, making sure the more frozen edges are mixed in.
The day before serving (but several hours before making the sponge), take out the ice cream, let it sit for about 5-10 minutes to just soften at the edges, and scoop 2-3 balls into 6-8 freezer-friendly ramekins** (see note about an alternative to using moulds) which have been sprayed lightly with oil and lined with plastic wrap - there should be enough wrap to fold back over the ice cream and to grab hold of when you pull the ice cream out of the ramekins. Once covered with plastic wrap, press down the ice cream (I used the bottom of a drinking glass) to ensure it properly fills the mould. Put back into the freezer for a few hours to harden.

For the Genoise Sponge: (Make one day in advance).

Preheat the oven to 170°C (340°F/Gas 3). Line a swiss roll pan (approx. 22x33cm or 7x13 inch)with baking parchment.
Melt the butter over a low heat and allow to cool.
Whisk the eggs and sugar in a bain-marie over a medium heat, until the mixture becomes light and creamy. When the volume has increased by about 50 percent and the mixture is thick enough to hold a ribbon trail, remove from the heat and transfer to a large mixing bowl if needed(I used the same one).
Add the lemon zest then, using a large metal spoon, carefully fold the sifted flour into the mix alternately with the cooled melted butter in three batches.
Pour the mixture straight away on to the lined baking tray and bake for 20 minutes, until golden.
Leave to cool then cut out 6-8 discs with a round cutter*** (see note re cutter size) The sponge discs should be half an inch to an inch in height - if they are too thick, simply slice a little off). Place the discs on baking parchment or on a silicone mat on a baking tray which you can fit in the freezer.
Now take the ice cream moulds out of the freezer (one by one if the weather's hot). Grab the sides of the plastic wrap and pull the ice cream out. Unwrap each ice cream mould, then invert and place directly onto the sponge discs (on the lined baking tray) and put back into the freezer to harden.

For the Italian Meringue: (Make on the day of serving, up to 4 hours ahead)

Firstly, ensure the bowl you will be beating your egg whites in is scrupulously clean (I wipe the sides down with some vinegar). Check your beaters are also completely clean.
In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Heat over high heat, brushing down sides of pot as necessary with a pastry brush dipped in water (this ensures the sugar doesn't crystalize). Cook until sugar syrup registers 240°F (115°C) on a candy thermometer.
Once the syrup starts to boil, combine egg whites and cream of tartar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Set mixer to medium speed and mix until soft peaks form (when lifted, the head of the mixer should form gentle peaks in the egg whites that very slowly collapse back into themselves). At this point your sugar syrup should be close to the required temperature.
With the mixer running, carefully and slowly drizzle in the hot sugar syrup - aim for the side of the bowl rather than the middle so as not to deflate the egg whites. Once it's all in, increase speed to high and whip until stiff peaks. Move on to assembly straight away.

To Assemble:

Take the ice cream/sponge stacks out of the freezer (one at a time if the weather is hot) and place on a serving plate (if serving straight away) or tray. Using an offset spatula, generously slather each stack with meringue, making sure every bit is covered, including the sponge. Using the back of the spatula, create swirls and peaks in the meringue.
If serving immediately take your kitchen torch**** and in small circles, lightly brown the meringue - (this is for appearance only as the meringue is already cooked) and serve.
If not serving for a few hours, carefully put the meringue-coated stacks back on the tray (use a large spatula or cake slice to transfer them) and into the freezer (they're good for at least 4 hours; I froze two for 24 hours and they were perfectly fine). When ready to serve, take out of the freezer and let them sit for about 10-15 minutes (this depends on the heat factor, but you'll be surprised at how long the ice cream remains frozen inside), then brown the meringue with the kitchen torch and serve.

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Lemon Curd Ice Cream:

For the Genoise Sponge:

For the Italian Meringue:

Instructions

For the Lemon Curd Ice Cream: (Make this two days in advance)

For the Genoise Sponge: (Make one day in advance).

For the Italian Meringue: (Make on the day of serving, up to 4 hours ahead)

To Assemble:

Notes

Nutrition

INDIVIDUAL BAKED ALASKAS

Equipment

Ingredients 1x2x3x

For the Lemon Curd Ice Cream:

For the Genoise Sponge:

For the Italian Meringue:

Instructions

For the Lemon Curd Ice Cream: (Make this two days in advance)

For the Genoise Sponge: (Make one day in advance).

For the Italian Meringue: (Make on the day of serving, up to 4 hours ahead)

To Assemble:

Notes

Nutrition

Ingredients