I’m learning as life goes on and I become more busy, that I need to treat myself to something I love every once in a while, so as part of a sponsored post with #CollectiveBias and their client, I decided to make Bananas Foster Baked Alaska Cupcakes while relaxing in my skivvies and fuzzy slippers after the kids were in bed. That’s luxury, and talk about a positively delicious treat!

Seriously, though. How much does the term “luxury” change once you have kids?

Kyle and I spent 5 days at The Breakers Resort in Palm Beach, Florida when we were first dating. It was absolutely the most luxurious thing ever, our most wonderful summer indulgence.

We had an oceanfront room on the top floor. The resort had the most amazing, fuzzy robes for you to wear during the duration of your stay. A room service breakfast for two ran us $100.

It was posh. Indulgent. Amazing.

Something we can no longer afford now that we have three other mouths to feed.

Since having kids, the most luxurious thing we get to do is use the restroom without little heads peeking in wondering what we’re doing in there.

I miss being able to steal away for a luxurious weekend without the little heel biters. Unfortunately, our budget doesn’t exactly cover the cost of a babysitter and a place like The Breakers.

We’d wind up sleeping under the bridge in whichever locale we decided to visit, which is the antithesis of luxurious, though it does conjure memories of my favorite Red Hot Chili Peppers song.

What I do have time for is making luxurious desserts.

Let me tell you about the ambitious endeavor that is making Baked Alaska.

I’ve never in my life eaten baked Alaska. They don’t serve it in the restaurants in Alaska, it was created in Boston when Alaska became a state in 1959.

So despite what you think, Alaskans don’t live in igloos, and they don’t eat Baked Alaska. Ever.

Baked Alaska involves cake with a dome of ice cream over the top, which is then topped with meringue and baked for 5 minutes. It is usually served in a larger cake size, but because this is a dinner for two, I decided to just make a few of them because they have to be eaten immediately upon being baked. For melty ice cream reasons, you know.

My bananas foster baked Alaska recipe has a gluten-free cupcake which has been hollowed out

and filled with Häagen Dazs‘ new caramelized banana chip gelato.

It was then re-frozen and topped with meringue before being baked for 5 minutes.

When it was done baking, I set it atop bananas foster (which I played pyromaniac to make)

and served it to my husband on our finest china. It was, by far, the most luxurious thing we’ve eaten in a long time, even from those locally owned, posh little restaurants we like to visit.

Don’t miss that delicious pistachio gelato berry parfait recipe to enjoy after the kids go to bed. It would be delicious while relaxing in a hot bath.

Now make sure you pin this recipe for your next luxurious event. It makes enough for a small gathering, or you can make just a few at a time and use the leftover meringue for meringue cookies. Whatever, the sky’s the limit. 

Full recipe and all of the gory details are below!

Bananas Foster Baked Alaska

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Serves	12
Prep time	3 hours
Cook time	45 minutes
Total time	3 hours, 45 minutes
Meal type	Dessert
Misc	Gourmet
Occasion	Birthday Party, Casual Party, Formal Party, Valentines day

This Bananas Foster Baked Alaska is decadent and delicious.

Ingredients

Baked Alaska

• 1 packet Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Vanilla Cake Mix
• 3 Eggs
• 1/2 cup OIl (I used melted coconut oil)
• 1/2 cup Water (Room Temperature)
• 2 pints Häagen-Dazs Caramelized Banana Chip Gelato (Softened)

Meringue

• 1/4 teaspoon Cream of Tartar
• 4 Egg Whites
• 1/2 cup Sugar

Bananas Foster

• 1 stick Butter
• 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
• 4 Bananas (cut in half lengthwise, then cut in half lengthwise again)
• 1/4 cup Brandy

Note

Make sure you read over all the instructions before beginning to make this recipe so that there are no surprises. It looks like a lot of work, but it is worth every second. This Baked Alaska recipe will blow your mind. Seriously.

Directions

Baked Alaska

Step 1

Take a deep breath. This recipe is worth it. *sigh* OK. Now follow package instructions on the Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Vanilla Cake. Pour batter into paper-lined cupcake tins and bake for 20 minutes or until golden in color. Once they are done baking, allow to cool completely on wire racks.

Step 2

Once cupcakes have cooled, hollow cakes out and fill with Häagen Dazs Caramelized Banana Chip Gelato, creating a domed top. Remove cupcake papers, then place cupcakes back into freezer for one hour.

Bananas Foster

Step 3

When cupcakes have 30 minutes left to freeze, preheat oven to 450* and begin working on your Bananas Foster sauce. Melt butter in a large skillet. Once butter has been melted, add brown sugar and stir together. Add bananas and increase heat to medium-high. Cook bananas until caramelized on both sides. Remove from heat, but leave heat source on.

Step 4

Pour brandy over the bananas and add back to heat. Stand back and tip pan slightly. Using a long lighter, ignite the pan and flambe the bananas. Flame will consume the sides of the pan. Allow flame to die down and alcohol to cook out of the sauce. Place a couple bananas onto individual plates, coating with sauce in preparation for the Baked Alaska to rest atop.

Meringue

Step 5

Place egg whites (Be careful not to get ANY yolk in the whites, it will cause the meringue to fall) and cream of tartar into a large bowl and beat on medium speed until soft peaks form, about one minute. Add sugar and beat until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes.

Baked Alaska

Step 6

Working quickly, place meringue into piping bag or just do what I do - stuff it all into a gallon-sized ziploc bag and snip off the tip. Leave the "zip" part open. Remove cupcakes from the freezer and cover each cupcake with meringue. If doing more than 6, you may place meringue-covered cupcakes back into freezer until the rest of the cupcakes are done.

Step 7

Place meringue-topped cupcakes into oven preheated to 450* for 5 minutes. Using a metal spatula, place cupcakes atop prepared Bananas Foster and serve immediately. Watch your guests proceed into heaven and sing your praises.