Hotel Lobby Baked Alaska

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A showstopping dessert with a fluffy meringue topping, inspired by the grandeur of Fresh Hotel's iconic spaces. This dessert-inspired quick meals ready in about 70 minutes pairs box (12 oz) cake mix, water, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 3.9 (15 ratings) Prep: 30 min Cook: 40 min Serves 6 Dessert cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan.
  2. Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine cake mix, water, oil, and eggs. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth. Fold in sugar and vanilla extract.
  3. Step 3: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely.
  4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whip whipped cream until stiff peaks form. Spread half the cream over the cooled cake, then drizzle with chocolate sauce.
  5. Step 5: Top with remaining whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Chill for 1 hour before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Hotel Lobby Baked Alaska take to make?

Total time is about 70 minutes (30 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Hotel Lobby Baked Alaska?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep box (12 oz) cake mix from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Hotel Lobby Baked Alaska?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Hotel Lobby Baked Alaska for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Hotel Lobby Baked Alaska?

Dessert quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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