Raspberry-chocolate bombe Alaska recipe (2024)

Just because our raspberry and chocolate bombe Alaska is a spectacle doesn't mean it's all looks.

Jan 10, 2017 6:04am

By Lisa Featherby

  • 40 mins preparation
  • 35 mins cooking plus chilling, freezing
  • Serves 8
  • Raspberry-chocolate bombe Alaska recipe (1)

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A bombe is a spectacular centrepiece, and can mostly be made ahead. For extra theatre, consider (carefully) flambéeing it with some warmed kirsch at the table instead of blowtorching it. Start this recipe at least two days ahead to set the bombe.

Ingredients

  • 220 gm caster sugar
  • 4 eggwhites
  • Pinch of cream of tartar

Raspberry sorbet

  • 1 kg raspberries
  • 220 gm caster sugar

Chocolate ice-cream

  • 200 gm dark chocolate (66% cocoa solids), coarsely chopped
  • 500 ml milk (2 cups)
  • 125 ml pouring cream (½ cup)
  • 5 egg yolks
  • 55 gm caster sugar (¼ cup)

Butter cake

  • 90 gm unsalted butter, coarsely chopped and softened
  • 90 gm caster sugar
  • 2 eggs, at room temperature
  • 90 gm self-raising flour, triple sieved

Method

Main

  • 1

    For raspberry sorbet, place a 2-litre pudding mould in the freezer to chill (about 30 minutes). Purée raspberries in a blender. Stir sugar and 250ml water in a saucepan over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves (3-5 minutes), then add a third of the raspberry purée. Stir to combine (1-2 minutes), then add to remaining raspberry purée and pass through a sieve to remove some of the seeds. Process in an ice-cream machine, then press sorbet into chilled mould to line base and sides, and return to the freezer until starting to firm (1-2 hours; you may need to press sorbet more evenly into mould once it has firmed up).

  • 2

    For chocolate ice-cream, place 160gm chocolate in a large bowl and set aside. Bring milk and half the cream to just below boiling point in a saucepan over medium heat. Meanwhile, whisk yolks and sugar in a bowl until pale (2-3 minutes). Whisking continuously, gradually add milk mixture, then transfer mixture to a clean saucepan and stir continuously over medium heat until it thickly coats the spoon (5-6 minutes). Strain through a sieve into bowl of chocolate, stir until chocolate melts, then stir in remaining cream and refrigerate to chill. Churn in an ice-cream machine, then fold in remaining chocolate, spoon into bombe mould, smooth top and freeze.

  • 3

    For cake, preheat oven to 180C. Butter and flour a 21cm-diameter round cake tin and line the base with baking paper. Beat butter and sugar in an electric mixer until pale (5-6 minutes). Add eggs one at time, beating well between additions, fold in flour in batches, then spoon batter into prepared cake tin, smooth top and bake until golden and the centre springs back when lightly pressed (15-20 minutes). Turn out onto a wire rack to cool, then trim to fit snugly over top of bombe and trim top flat (reserve trimmings). Place cake on top of bombe and freeze until ice-cream is set firm (4 hours or overnight). Turn bombe out of the mould, crumble reserved cake trimmings and scatter crumbs over bombe (this helps the meringue to adhere) and return to freezer until very firm and ready to serve (2-3 hours; this can be done a day ahead).

  • 4

    For Italian meringue, bring sugar and 200ml water to the boil in a small saucepan, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium and brush down sides of pan with a clean, wet pastry brush to remove sugar crystals. Cook, without stirring, until syrup reaches 115C on a sugar thermometer (soft-ball stage; 10-15 minutes), then start whisking eggwhites with cream of tartar in the clean, grease-free bowl of an electric mixer on medium speed to soft peaks. When sugar syrup reaches 121C (hard-ball stage), increase mixer speed to high and, with motor running, gradually pour syrup into eggwhite and beat at medium speed until cool, thick and glossy (15-20 minutes).

  • 5

    To serve, working quickly, spread meringue over bombe and scorch it with a kitchen blowtorch.

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Raspberry-chocolate bombe Alaska recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between baked Alaska and bombe Alaska? ›

What is the difference between bombe Alaska and baked Alaska? A bombe Alaska is coated with hot, high-proof rum before serving and set alight or flambéed. A baked Alaska is browned using a torch or the broiler setting in an oven.

How does ice cream not melt in baked Alaska? ›

Baked Alaska is a baked dessert consisting of cake, ice cream, and meringue. So how does the ice cream not melt during the baking process? The meringue insulates it from the heat. The treat is baked in a hot oven for a few minutes or just long enough to firm and brown the meringue.

What is the outer layer on a bombe Alaska dessert? ›

baked Alaska, dessert of American origin that consists of ice cream layered between a slice of sponge cake and a covering of meringue, which is baked quickly at high heat until lightly browned.

Can I freeze a bombe in Alaska? ›

How long does bombe Alaska last? Store any leftover bombe Alaska on a freezer-proof plate in the freezer, covered loosely with plastic wrap, for up to 2 weeks.

Why is it called bombe Alaska? ›

The unique nickname 'Baked Alaska' was given to the dessert in 1867 at a Creole restaurant in New Orleans called Antoine's. The restaurant's chef, Antoine, named the dish Baked Alaska to honour of the United States acquisition of Alaska from the Russian Empire earlier that year.

Has Baked Alaska been discontinued? ›

Now, four years later, Baked Alaska will return exclusively to Ben & Jerry's nationwide Scoop Shops so fans can enjoy being reunited with their favourite flavour scooped in a crunchy waffle cone or swirly sundae!

Which state eats the most ice cream Alaska? ›

One thing about Alaskans is that they love ice cream. It's been said that Alaska consumes more ice cream per capita than any other state in the country!

Is baked Alaska any good? ›

With little to no oven time needed and just a small amount of hands-on work, it truly is the perfect party-friendly treat. After my first taste of Baked Alaska, I became an instant fan. The combination of slightly chewy meringue, cold ice cream and soft pound cake was all my favorite dessert sensations in one.

Can you save baked Alaska? ›

Finished baked Alaska can be stored uncovered in the freezer for up to 1 week. However, for the best meringue texture, it's best to make the meringue the day that you intend to serve it. Wrap leftover slices of baked Alaska in a layer of plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 1 month.

Which US president invented the baked Alaska? ›

Early versions of Baked Alaska appeared as early as 1802. According to historians, Thomas Jefferson was one of the first presidents to serve ice cream at a state banquet in the White House. As the story goes, Jefferson requested the ice cream to be served encased in a hot pastry.

Why does baked Alaska not melt? ›

The mixture of whipped egg whites and sugar that makes up this meringue acts as insulation, protecting the ice cream from the heat of the oven. As a result, it'll still be cold and solid by the time the dessert is finished baking.

What desserts should you not freeze? ›

Custard or meringue-based desserts

According to the National Center for Home Food Preservation, pies or baked goods with cream or custard fillings (such as coconut or chocolate cream pies) are prone to separating and turning watery or lumpy.

How to store a bombe in Alaska? ›

The bombe can be made and stored in the basin without the meringue up to 2 months ahead. Once the meringue is torched, place on a freezer-proof plate. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 weeks.

What is the original Baked Alaska? ›

This version of Baked Alaska at Delmonico's restaurant in New York City stays true to the original: a walnut sponge cake layered with apricot compote and banana gelato, covered with torched meringue.

What is a bombe in cooking terms? ›

bombe in American English

(bɑm ; French bɔ̃̃b) noun. a frozen dessert consisting of a round mold of ice cream or sherbet with a center as of custard, mousse, or ice cream in a different flavor.

Is Baked Alaska any good? ›

With little to no oven time needed and just a small amount of hands-on work, it truly is the perfect party-friendly treat. After my first taste of Baked Alaska, I became an instant fan. The combination of slightly chewy meringue, cold ice cream and soft pound cake was all my favorite dessert sensations in one.

References

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