This Orange Baked Alaska Recipe is so simple to make yet so fun to eat. This recipe is a delightful twist on the traditional baked Alaska. Oranges are hollowed out and then filled with orange sherbet. The final touch is a toasted meringue!
If you love an orange dessert, then also try our Orange Creamsicle Poke Cake or a Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake.
Baked Alaska is a dessert that consists of an ice cream base, sometimes a dome that is topped with meringue, and then briefly baked to toast the meringue.
This recipe was inspired from the cookbook that I own, which features the recipes made on the Titanic. Titanic came out in 1997 and I quickly fell in love with the movie. The book is called “The Last Dinner on the Titanic” so I decided to have a Titanic dinner party. There was a 9-course dinner menu in the book that I altered slightly. We had Lobster Thermidor and Quail with Cherries, soups, and sorbets.
Orange Baked Alaska is a light dessert for any time of the year. In 1912, it was a rarity to see citrus fruits in Northern climes, so this was an extravagant dessert. It is an easy dessert to make and one that will get you ooohs and aaahs. Enjoy!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Fun to make
- Easy to make
- Amazing presentation
- Great make-ahead dessert, can be made two days ahead.
- Simple and delicious
HELPFUL ITEMS FOR THIS RECIPE
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Serrated Grapefruit Spoon, 9 inch 2 piece set, Stainless Steel
Grapefruit Knives 2 Pack, Stainless Steel Grapefruit Utensil Knife
What Ingredients are in an Orange Baked Alaska Recipe?
Recipe Ingredients
Navel oranges – You want to choose the nicest oranges that you can find, ones that are free of blemishes and are evenly shaped.
Orange sherbet – This was one of my favorite flavors as a kid. Try to find a good brand you can trust.
Egg whites – These are used for the meringue. I use large eggs for this recipe.
Pinch of cream of tartar – This is used to help stabilize the meringue and give you a fluffy, smooth outcome.
Fruit sugar – This is also called berry sugar, caster sugar or superfine sugar. It dissolves easily and quickly, and is a form of granulated sugar, but just finer.
Dash of almond extract – This adds a little flavor to the meringue.
Fresh mint leaves – These bring the oranges from fantastic to wow!!
How to Make Orange Baked Alaska
Cut off the quarter top of each orange and discard. Make sure your orange will stand up; otherwise, cut a small slice off the bottom, being careful not to cut through to the pulp. With a grapefruit spoon, carefully remove the pulp from the interior of the orange.
Place hollowed-out oranges on a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper and place in the freezer for at least 30 min. or until rigid.
Fill the oranges with the sherbet, dividing evenly and packing firmly. Freeze again for 30 min. or up to 2 days.
When ready to serve, preheat the oven to 425F. In a stand-up mixer, beat the egg whites until frothy and then add the pinch of cream of tartar. Continue beating and gradually add the sugar. Beat for another 3 min. or until the eggs are glossy and thick peaks form. Stir in the almond extract.
Remove oranges from the freezer and place them on a baking sheet. Cover the tops of the oranges with the meringue mixture by either piping or dolloping it on. Bake at 425F for 2 min. then lower the heat to 375F and continue to bake for 3-5 min. or until the meringue is slightly browned and set.
Garnish with a mint leaf and serve immediately.
Your company or family will be in “ah” as you present these cute little oranges. Great make ahead with the final topping of meringue being done right before serving.
Recipe Pro Tips!
FAQS
Not only is this a good dessert for the summer, but great when oranges are at their height from late fall until early spring. This would be a pretty dessert to serve over the holidays.
A grapefruit spoon and a grapefruit knife make fast work of the pulp inside the orange. These are tools that I have had in the drawer from childhood, but are still easily obtainable now. I have Amazon links for you above and in the recipe card.
Can I make substitutions?
Although the orange sherbet partners perfectly with the orange shell, you can substitute any sherbet flavor like raspberry, lemon or lime. You could make a few different kinds and let your company choose which they would like.
Do You Love Citrus and Want More?
I love a citrus dessert with its sweet, tangy flavor. Here are some of our favorites.
Orange Baked Alaska Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 4 large navel oranges
- 2 cups orange sherbet
- 2 egg whites
- Pinch of cream of tartar
- 1/2 cup fruit sugar
- Dash of almond extract
- Fresh mint leaves
Instructions
- Cut off the quarter top of each orange and discard. Make sure your orange will stand up; otherwise, cut a small slice off the bottom, being careful not to cut through to the pulp. With a grapefruit spoon, carefully remove the pulp from the interior of the orange.
- Place hollowed-out oranges on a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper and place in the freezer for at least 30 min. or until rigid.
- Fill the oranges with the sherbet, dividing evenly and packing firmly. Freeze again for 30 min. or up to 2 days.
- When ready to serve, preheat the oven to 425F. In a stand-up mixer, beat the egg whites until frothy and then add the pinch of cream of tartar. Continue beating and gradually add the sugar. Beat for another 3 min. or until the eggs are glossy and thick peaks form. Stir in the almond extract.
- Remove oranges from the freezer and place on a baking sheet. Cover the tops of the oranges with the meringue mixture by either piping or dolloping it on. Bake at 425F for 2 min. then lower the heat to 375F and continue to bake for 3-5 min. or until the meringue is slightly browned and set.
- Garnish with a mint leaf and serve immediately.
Equipment
Nutrition
Recipe adapted from the Last Dinner on The Titanic
Comments & Reviews
diabeticFoodie says
Great idea for a dinner party theme! Love these oranges.
Cindys Recipes says
Lovely Tara! What a cool idea!
Laura Hunter says
Yum, yum, yum! And what amazing presentation
chattering kitchen says
These look so so pretty
Heather @girlichef says
This is such a fun dessert, I totally want to make it! I love meringue’s, anyway…but love the idea of that sherbet inside. Perfect.
Nicole @ The Daily Dish says
These are ridiculously adorable. They looks so yummy!
Sarah says
Yum, what a refreshing way to cap off a meal!
Dara says
Love this recipe! It’s gorgeous and tasty. The presentation is fabulous.
Patti says
Nice and light and soo pretty Tara!
Jen @ Juanita's Cocina says
How fun! And the photos are (as always) amazing!
Anne @ Webicurean says
I love the themed dinner party idea–how fun! This dessert sounds really refreshing too, especially after a rich meal!
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen says
It looks very dramatic, and it´s really so easy and refreshing! Love the combo of orange and meringue.
Soni says
Oh a great idea for a dinner party theme :)Love your dessert!So elegant and stunning to look at!The mint adds a wonderful touch and color to the dish 🙂
Bea says
All I can say is WOW!!! This most be the most beautiful dessert ever! I may give it a try for a holiday with orange sorbet :
Sandi McKenna says
Totally adorable!! Fun & refreshing!
Katie says
These are absolutely beautiful!!! Love the presentation, especially if you’re hosting a dinner/party…such wow factor!
Megan @Irun4Wine says
OOH! I love this recipe. Nothing better than orange sherbert and I love the meringue! I have to try this out.
Renee says
What a fun treat! And a great way to serve orange sherbet.
Pam @ The Meltaways says
What a fun dinner idea! My husband LOVES the movie and would love the idea! What gorgeous pictures for a lovely dessert! Thank you so much for joining in this week!
sunithi says
Beautiful !! Seems light & refreshing. My kids will love this ! Love the addition of mint 🙂