Christmas Baked Alaska

Ingredients

 * 1 	quart 	ice cream - softened

SPONGE CAKE BASE

 * 3 	large 	eggs
 * 1/3 	cup 	Sugar
 * 1/2 	cup 	flour
 * 2 	tsp 	cornstarch

MERINGUE

 * 4 	x 	egg whites
 * 3/4 	cup 	confectioner's sugar

Directions

 * 1) NOTE: You can use any ice cream flavor. We recommend chocolate.
 * 2) Leave the ice cream in room temperature for an hour to soften.


 * 1) For the sponge base: In a small sauce pan, bring a cup of water to simmer over low heat.


 * 1) Preheat oven to 425 F (or 210 C).


 * 1) Beat the eggs and Sugar in a small steel mixing bowl over the simmering water (double boiler), until the temperature reaches about 110 - 120 F (or 40 - 45 C).


 * 1) Remove from heat.


 * 1) Continue beating until light and creamy - until it cools down again.


 * 1) Add the flour and starch, then fold gently. Be careful not to overmix.


 * 1) On a greased baking pan, line up a sheet of silicon or wax paper.


 * 1) Spread the sponge base mixture thin over the sheet of silicon or wax paper.


 * 1) The shape is not important as this will just be the cake base that will be hidden by the meringue.


 * 1) A rough rectangle will be okay.


 * 1) Bake quickly in the oven for about 4-5 minutes, then remove from oven and let it cool.


 * 1) The cake should come off the paper quite easily.
 * 2) In your choice of mold (we used an oblong-shaped mold - see picture), cover the bottom and sides with pieces of the cake.


 * 1) Put in the softened ice cream to fill the mold.


 * 1) Cover the top with cake, then freeze for about 3 hours.


 * 1) Prepare the meringue by beating the eggwhites with the confectioners Sugar until stiff.


 * 1) Place in a piping bag.


 * 1) Preheat oven to 425 F (210 C).


 * 1) Unmold the frozen cake-ice cream on a baking tray.


 * 1) Pipe the meringue mixture all around to completely cover the cake-ice cream.


 * 1) You can make shapes with the meringue.


 * 1) When completely covered with the meringue, put it in the oven to bake for 2 - 4 minutes.


 * 1) The meringue surface will bake very quickly, and the edges will start to brown.


 * 1) When the edges have browned enough, remove from the oven.


 * 1) The meringue surface will be baked, while the ice cream inside remains frozen.


 * 1) Decorate with cherries or candies, then serve.