Chef Linda
Linda Soper-Kolton, Chef, came to the Sanctuary as a guest chef to share her love of compassionate cooking in our then-fledgling culinary program. Lured by the magic of the Sanctuary, her love of animals and the urgency of our mission, Linda stayed on to lead and grow the culinary program, inspiring and educating with love, patience, and delicious food.
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Baked Alaska with Aquafaba Meringue

By Chef Linda

*Note: This photo doesn't do the aquafaba meringue justice. I got distracted and let it sit out before snapping the photo!

Rumor has it that Baked Alaska originated at New York City’s Delmonico’s restaurant to commemorate the United States’ purchase of Alaska in 1867. But what is it? Baked Alaska is a combination of textures, tastes and temperatures. A brownie base is topped with layers of ice cream, then covered in sweet meringue and then put into the oven, ever so briefly, to create tasty brown peaks. This is no ordinary dessert. Think of Valentine's Day, birthdays, Super Bowl parties. But what is Baked Alaska with Aquafaba Meringue?

Aquafaba meringue
Aquafaba meringue made from chick pea liquid whipped up perfectly, stiff, white and sweet

Meringue is typically made from raw egg whites. Desserts like Baked Alaska, lemon meringue pie, and Key Lime pie have been a challenge for vegans…until now. Until aquafaba. Aquafaba is the name given to a brilliant discovery that uses the thick liquid from canned beans to allow vegans to create things like marshmallows, macarons, nougat, cakes, icing, mayo, and of course, meringue for Baked Alaska. Though I'd heard about this discovery and the growing enthusiasm behind it, I was skeptical. Very skeptical. Until I tried it.

Now I'm a believer. That's right, this crazy idea of combining bean liquid with sugar, vanilla and cream of tartar and whipping it into a frenzy actually works. My chick pea liquid that I'd normally discard down the drain was whipped up into a mass of billowy, white, sweet meringue.  Amazing. Really. If you're looking for that "WOW" factor for a special occasion, not only because this dessert is a sight to behold, but because you can make meringue with bean water, then you've got to try Baked Alaska with Aquafaba Meringue. Utterly outrageous.

Make brownies and form ice cream molds a day or two in advance to make finishing up this dessert a snap.

Ingredients

 2 pints of your favorite non-dairy ice cream, different flavors
For the Brownie Base
 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
 4 tbsp water
 1 cup all-purpose flour
 1 ½ cups nut meal
 ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
 2 tsp instant coffee
 ½ cup salt
 ½ tsp baking soda
  cup coconut oil
 ½ cup vegan semi-sweet chocolate chips
 ¾ cup organic cane sugar
 ¼ cup brown sugar
  cup non-dairy milk
 2 tsp vanilla
For the Aquafaba Meringue
 1 cup Liquid from 1 (15 ounce) can of chick peas
 ½ cup organic cane sugar
 1 tsp vanilla
 ¼ tsp cream of tartar

Directions

1

Let ice cream soften on counter top for about 10 to 15 minutes. Line 4 ramekins with plastic wrap. Fill base of ramekins with one flavor, spreading it out evenly on the bottom. Finish with the second layer, smoothing evenly over the bottom layer. Cover surface with plastic wrap and freeze until ice cream is very hard, at least 1 hour.

To make the brownies, preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a 8-inch square brownie pan with parchment, letting two opposite ends hang over by a few inches so the finished brownie can be lifted out.

Whisk together the ground flax and water in a medium bowl. Set aside. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, almond flour/meal, cocoa powder, instant coffee, salt, and baking soda. In a double boiler or microwave, melt coconut oil and half the chocolate chips. Stir together. When completely melted, add remaining chocolate chips and stir. When everything is melted and combined, mix in sugars, milk, and vanilla. Pour wet ingredients into the large bowl with the dry ingredients and stir just until combined without over mixing.

Empty batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the corners are firm to the touch and a knife inserted into center comes out clean. Remove pan from oven and let brownies cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes. Using the edges of parchment paper, lift brownies out of pan. Use a 3-inch round cookie cutter to carefully cut brownie circles for the bottom of the Baked Alaska. Place rounds on parchment covered plate, cover and chill. To make the meringue, place all the ingredients in a bowl and beat with an electric mixer using the wire whisk attachment. Beat for about 6 to 7 minutes, or until stiff peaks form. Don’t be discouraged initially, the brownish liquid will start to thicken and turn white around the 4 to 5 minute mark.

Turn the broiler on high. Line a baking tray with parchment. Remove ramekins from freezer. Un-mold the ice cream by pulling on the plastic wrap to remove from it from the ramekin. Place brownie circles on the tray, several inches apart. Place one ice cream stack onto each brownie round. Working quickly, cover the ice cream and brownies completely with the meringue, using the back of spoon to make swirly peaks. Place tray in oven for one to two minutes, or until peaks start to turn brown.  Alternatively, you can use a culinary propane torch to brown meringue. Remove from oven. Use a spatula to plate and serve immediately or freeze until ready to serve.

Baked Alaska with Aquafaba Meringue

Baked Alaska with Aquafaba Meringue

DifficultyModerateCook Time35 mins
YIELDS
4 large individual servings that can be shared for a total of 8

INGREDIENTS

 2 pints of your favorite non-dairy ice cream, different flavors
For the Brownie Base
 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
 4 tbsp water
 1 cup all-purpose flour
 1 ½ cups nut meal
 ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
 2 tsp instant coffee
 ½ cup salt
 ½ tsp baking soda
  cup coconut oil
 ½ cup vegan semi-sweet chocolate chips
 ¾ cup organic cane sugar
 ¼ cup brown sugar
  cup non-dairy milk
 2 tsp vanilla
For the Aquafaba Meringue
 1 cup Liquid from 1 (15 ounce) can of chick peas
 ½ cup organic cane sugar
 1 tsp vanilla
 ¼ tsp cream of tartar

DIRECTIONS

1

Let ice cream soften on counter top for about 10 to 15 minutes. Line 4 ramekins with plastic wrap. Fill base of ramekins with one flavor, spreading it out evenly on the bottom. Finish with the second layer, smoothing evenly over the bottom layer. Cover surface with plastic wrap and freeze until ice cream is very hard, at least 1 hour.

To make the brownies, preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a 8-inch square brownie pan with parchment, letting two opposite ends hang over by a few inches so the finished brownie can be lifted out.

Whisk together the ground flax and water in a medium bowl. Set aside. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, almond flour/meal, cocoa powder, instant coffee, salt, and baking soda. In a double boiler or microwave, melt coconut oil and half the chocolate chips. Stir together. When completely melted, add remaining chocolate chips and stir. When everything is melted and combined, mix in sugars, milk, and vanilla. Pour wet ingredients into the large bowl with the dry ingredients and stir just until combined without over mixing.

Empty batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the corners are firm to the touch and a knife inserted into center comes out clean. Remove pan from oven and let brownies cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes. Using the edges of parchment paper, lift brownies out of pan. Use a 3-inch round cookie cutter to carefully cut brownie circles for the bottom of the Baked Alaska. Place rounds on parchment covered plate, cover and chill. To make the meringue, place all the ingredients in a bowl and beat with an electric mixer using the wire whisk attachment. Beat for about 6 to 7 minutes, or until stiff peaks form. Don’t be discouraged initially, the brownish liquid will start to thicken and turn white around the 4 to 5 minute mark.

Turn the broiler on high. Line a baking tray with parchment. Remove ramekins from freezer. Un-mold the ice cream by pulling on the plastic wrap to remove from it from the ramekin. Place brownie circles on the tray, several inches apart. Place one ice cream stack onto each brownie round. Working quickly, cover the ice cream and brownies completely with the meringue, using the back of spoon to make swirly peaks. Place tray in oven for one to two minutes, or until peaks start to turn brown.  Alternatively, you can use a culinary propane torch to brown meringue. Remove from oven. Use a spatula to plate and serve immediately or freeze until ready to serve.

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