REVIEW: New Orleans Ice Cream Co. Baked Alaska

With the exception of Mardi Gras Pie, which New Orleans Ice Cream Company has kept under wraps up to this point, I had only one remaining pint left to review in their current lineup. The last and final flavor comes with the following description, “Delight in a decadent dessert of vanilla bean ice cream with crunchy meringue pieces, fresh strawberries, moist cake pieces & a soft meringue swirl.” Considering the success of their other cake-inspired creations such as their Lemon Doberge Cake or Red Velvet Cake, I look forward to finishing my adventure with Baked Alaska.

Credit: Todd Coleman

Traditionally, Baked Alaska is a dessert consisting of ice cream sitting inside a coating of cake, meringue and other sweet ingredients. The entire dish is then placed in a very hot oven for a moment, but the ice cream remains cool and creamy due to the natural insulating effect of the meringue exterior. According to Wikipedia, “The name Baked Alaska was coined at Delmonico’s Restaurant by their chef-de-cuisine Charles Ranhofer in 1876 to honor the recently acquired American territory.” The New Orleans Ice Cream Company builds on this concept by starting with their own Vanilla Bean ice cream, adding crunchy meringue to act as the outer shell, a soft meringue swirl to impersonate the layer below that, and fresh strawberries with moist cake pieces to act as the filling.

As I pulled up on the silver rim, a large gob of the 250 calories per serving, super-premium ice cream clung to the lid even after removal. The ingredients inside are intertwined so tightly that the vanilla bean base has morphed into something completely different. The sweet, fluffy nature of the meringue components have provided their sugary taste and light texture, while the strawberries have added a fruity freshness to the vanilla bean ice cream. This results in an exceptional texture that’s only built upon when the rich, moist cake comes into play. Every mix-in seems to add a different texture and another element of sweetness.

Although I was afraid when I started uncovering the oversized hunks of strawberries, New Orleans Ice Cream Company is able to avoid the horrid feel usually derived from the frozen fruit. Just as they did in their Ponchatoula Strawberry, these add an authentic feel to Baked Alaska. Even one of my least favorite ice cream additions couldn’t hold this flavor back from the A it deserved. As my journey ended, it was hard not to look back over all the unique experiences I spooned my way through. New Orleans Ice Cream Company has created a line of flavors that should make the Crescent City proud. For any of you still on the fence about New Orleans Ice Cream Company, skeptical about ordering ice cream online, or are fortunate enough to live in an area where their flavors are locally available; make it a priority to try them all.

Where I Found It: Ice Cream Source
Grade: A