National Baked Alaska Day

Rajnandini Roychoudhury
Dec 22, 2023 By Rajnandini Roychoudhury
Originally Published on Feb 18, 2022
Fact-checked by Sakshi Raturi
National Baked Alaska Day is liked by children.


Where is National Baked Alaska Day celebrated?

This national food holiday is observed in the USA.

Who is National Baked Alaska Day celebrated by?

Baked Alaska is a sweet treat and thus this famous dessert is particularly enjoyed by those who have a sweet tooth and those that are food enthusiasts. This special day is also celebrated by bakers and cake lovers.

When did National Baked Alaska Day first start?

It's currently unknown when the first time this special day was started.

Who started National Baked Alaska Day?

Owing to very limited information being available, it is currently unknown who started this unique yet special day. However, the history associated with this dessert is very unique, which makes this dish even more popular. History reports that Charles Ranhofer, a chef in 1867, first created this cake and made it popular with the public.

History And Timeline

Some cool and significant historical facts have been associated with this special dish. So let us find out from history some more facts about Baked Alaska.

Purchase Of Alaska

The United States of America bought Alaska from Russia in 1867 for an estimated price of $7 million USD.

1867

Official Naming Of The Dessert

After the purchase of Alaska by the United States of America, Chef Charles Ranhofer of Delmonico's restaurant named this dessert after Alaska.

1867

Most Famous Dessert

The dessert became the most famous dessert of the year.

1951

Popularity Of The Dish

The dish gained massive popularity around the world.

1958-1962

Largest Baked Alaska

The largest Baked Alaska was made in 2005. The monstrous dish had a length of 4 ft (1.2 m) and weighed around 1140 lb (63.50 kg).

2005

Traditions And Customs

A wide number of customs and traditions are associated with this special day. One of the chief customs and traditions involves tasting this special dessert with friends and with family members. Other activities involve learning and sharing the history of Alaska and of this hybrid sponge cake with others.

Ways To Observe Or Celebrate National Baked Alaska Day

Since baked Alaska is a sweet dessert, it's particularly loved by one and all and thus this special yet unique day is celebrated by both children and adults. One of the chief activities to help celebrate this day is by making a baked Alaska in your home.

It is a fairly simple process and involves certain simple steps. This is a special dessert that has three main constituents, sponge cake that consists of egg whites, ice cream, more particularly vanilla ice cream, and meringue.

The bottom of a pan consists of a few slices of sponge cake, followed by any flavored hard ice cream followed by meringue.

Then this mixture is baked at a very high temperature in a hot oven for a few minutes. The toasted meringue in the hot oven acts as an insulator and does not allow the ice cream to melt.

Facts And Stats

  • National Baked Alaska Day is celebrated on February 1, whereas National Alaska Day is celebrated on June 28.
  • Even though this day is celebrated mostly in the USA, people from other countries have also started participating in the celebration.
  • Baked Alaska has different names like Norwegian omelet or Omelette Norvegienne.

What is the meaning of a baked Alaska?

It's a dessert made out of sponge cake, ice cream, and meringue.

When was baked Alaska most popular?

Baked Alaska was most popular in the '50s.

What is the history of a baked Alaska?

This special dish was made to celebrate the purchase of Alaska from Russia. 

Which US President invented baked Alaska?

Thomas Jefferson once served ice cream at a banquet in the White House.

Is Baked Alaska served frozen?

No.

How is baked Alaska traditionally served?

It is traditionally served with hard cold ice cream and warm meringue.

What is the significance of National Baked Alaska Day?

It celebrates the famous dish and pays tribute to the purchase of Alaska.

When Is This Day Celebrated

  • Friday, January 31, 2020
  • Sunday, January 31, 2021
  • Monday, January 31, 2022
  • Tuesday, January 31, 2023
  • Wednesday, January 31, 2024

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Written by Rajnandini Roychoudhury

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English, Master of Arts specializing in English

Rajnandini Roychoudhury picture

Rajnandini RoychoudhuryBachelor of Arts specializing in English, Master of Arts specializing in English

With a Master of Arts in English, Rajnandini has pursued her passion for the arts and has become an experienced content writer. She has worked with companies such as Writer's Zone and has had her writing skills recognized by publications such as The Telegraph. Rajnandini is also trilingual and enjoys various hobbies such as music, movies, travel, philanthropy, writing her blog, and reading classic British literature. 

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Fact-checked by Sakshi Raturi

Postgraduate Diploma in Management

Sakshi Raturi picture

Sakshi RaturiPostgraduate Diploma in Management

Sakshi has experience in marketing strategy, social media planning, and recruiting industry experts for capstone projects, she has displayed a commitment to enhancing their skills and knowledge. She has won multiple awards, including a Certificate of Appreciation for Creative Writing and a Certificate of Merit for Immaculate Turut, and is always seeking new opportunities to grow and develop.

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