Book of Days Tales

Seward’s Day is a legal holiday in the U.S. state of Alaska. This holiday falls on the last Monday in March and commemorates the signing of the Alaska Purchase treaty on March 30, 1867. It is named for then-Secretary of State William H. Seward, who negotiated the purchase from Russia.

Baked Alaska seems like the obvious choice for the day. It’s tricky to make and can be done in multiple ways.  This is the simplest way.

Ingredients

2 quarts vanilla ice cream, softened, or as needed
8 egg whites
⅛ teaspoon cream of tartar
⅛ teaspoon salt
1 cup white sugar
1 8-inch round prepared white cake layer

Instructions

Line the bottom and sides of an 8-inch round mixing bowl with plastic wrap. Pack the softened ice cream into the prepared bowl, then flatten the top and cover with more plastic wrap. Freeze until firm, 8 hours to overnight.

Beat egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar, and salt in a mixing bowl until stiff peaks form.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the cake in the center. Remove the ice cream from the freezer, discard the plastic wrap, and turn the  ice cream out on top of the cake.

Quickly spread meringue over ice cream and cake, swirling in decorative patterns if desired. Freeze for 2 hours.

Preheat the oven to 425º F/220º C.

Bake the cake on the lowest oven shelf until the meringue is light brown, 8 to 10 minutes.

Serve immediately.