The Baked Alaska is a beguiling dessert made of ice cream enveloped in a hot meringue and liqueur-soaked Genoese sponge cake. It was invented by an American and perfected in Paris (possibly thanks to a Chinese chef).

The trick is that rock hard ice cream is enveloped with the Genoese sponge and meringue so that it doesn't melt when briefly baked to color the meringue. The Baked Alaska is served straight from the oven, sometimes flamed with Cointreau or Grand Marnier for effect.