This advanced Baked Alaska recipe creates individual desserts featuring layers of coffee and vanilla parfaits set on a chocolate cookie base. Each portion is then generously covered with a glossy Swiss meringue, flash-baked until golden, and served with a rich rum caramel sauce, offering a delightful contrast of textures and temperatures.
For the parfait base, ensure the egg yolk mixture reaches 140°F (60°C) to pasteurize and thicken properly without scrambling; continuous whisking is key. Achieving firm, glossy peaks for the Swiss meringue is crucial for its structure and browning. Make sure your mixer bowl and whisk are impeccably clean and grease-free. The initial freezing of the parfaits is vital for stability during assembly. When baking the meringue-covered Baked Alaska, monitor closely as the high oven temperature will rapidly caramelize the meringue; it's a quick process to brown the exterior.