LEMON BAKED ALASKA

Lemon Baked Alaska image

This impressive dessert, piled high with vanilla ice cream, lemon sauce and meringue, won my mother the grand prize in a local cooking contest as a first-time entrant. It's the perfect finale to a special meal. -Kevin Weeks North Palm Beach, Florida

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 30m

Yield 8-10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1-1/2 quarts vanilla ice cream, softened
1 pastry shell (9 inches), baked
MERINGUE:
5 large egg whites, room temperature
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, eggs, lemon juice and salt. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture reaches 160° or is thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon. Stir in butter and lemon zest until blended. Cool completely. Refrigerate until chilled., Spread half of the ice cream into pastry shell. Top with lemon mixture and remaining ice cream. Cover and freeze overnight., In a small heavy saucepan, combine the egg whites, sugar and cream of tartar. With a hand mixer, beat on low speed for 1 minute. Continue beating over low heat until egg mixture reaches 160°, about 12 minutes. , Remove from the heat. Add vanilla; beat until stiff peaks form. Immediately spread over frozen pie. Bake at 450° for 3-5 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 480 calories, Fat 23g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 142mg cholesterol, Sodium 284mg sodium, Carbohydrate 63g carbohydrate (47g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 7g protein.