The only Eton Mess recipes you'll ever need (2024)

Whether its creation was a happy accident or divine design, this thoroughly English dessert is heaven in a bowl.

Nov 09, 2021 12:00am

By

  • 35 mins preparation
  • 50 mins cooking plus cooling, standing
  • Serves 10
  • The only Eton Mess recipes you'll ever need (1)

    Print

The Eton mess, one of England's best-loved and prettiest desserts, is an absolute joy to eat. Its sublime proportions of crumbled crisp meringue, softly whipped cream and marinated strawberries don't need further embellishment - the beauty of this delicate dessert is in its simplicity.

There are many tales about the origins of Eton mess: one involves an excited labrador sitting on a pavlova at an Eton ceremony; another, a bumpy car ride muddling a strawberry and meringue dessert en-route to an Eton cricket match. Better authority on the matter comes from food historians Robin Weir and Caroline Liddell. In their book Recipes from the Dairy, they write this most British of British desserts originated at Eton's mess hall in the 1930s. Back then it was served as a bowl of bananas or strawberries mixed with ice-cream or cream. The meringue was a later addition - and a very good one at that.

It's not an Eton mess without meringues, and the trick to making great meringues is patience. To ensure a perfect crisp crust, always leave them to cool in the oven after baking. And if you can avoid the temptation to eat them on their own, you can always make the meringues in advance: they'll keep for a few days stored in an airtight container.

In our recipe, we've used raspberries as well as strawberries. This sort of dessert is open to flavour variations, so be creative and use whatever fruit is most fragrant at the time. Apricots would be wonderful, as would plums, and any type of berry is good at Christmas time. And for a lovely fresh, slightly tart note, we've added a little crème fraîche to the whipped cream.

Whether they're folded or layered, when all the Eton mess elements are piled high in a beautiful glass serving bowl, this classic dessert makes the perfect sweet finish for late-summer entertaining.

Want more Christmas desserts?

Ingredients

  • 750 gm strawberries, quartered, plus extra to serve
  • 110 gm (½ cup) caster sugar
  • 200 ml thickened cream, lightly whisked
  • 125 gm crème fraîche
  • 55 gm (½ cup) pure icing sugar, sieved
  • Scraped seeds of ½ vanilla bean
  • 125 gm raspberries

Meringues

  • 100 gm eggwhite (about 3 eggs)
  • 100 gm caster sugar
  • 100 gm pure icing sugar, sieved
  • 15 gm cornflour

Method

  • 1

    For meringues, preheat oven to 120C. Whisk eggwhite and a pinch of salt in an electric mixer until firm peaks form (3-4 minutes). With motor running, gradually add caster sugar and whisk until thick and glossy (2-3 minutes). Sieve icing sugar and cornflour over, fold to combine, then spoon 8cm-diameter mounds onto oven trays lined with baking paper. Bake until meringues lift easily from trays and are crisp but not coloured (45-50 minutes), then turn off oven and cool completely in oven.

  • 2

    Meanwhile, toss strawberries and caster sugar in a large bowl to combine, then set aside until juices begin to seep (20 minutes).

  • 3

    Whisk cream, crème fraîche, icing sugar and vanilla seeds together in a separate large bowl until soft peaks form. Scatter a quarter of the strawberries in the base of a 3-litre serving bowl, spread with a quarter of the cream mixture, and coarsely crumble a quarter of the meringue over the top. Repeat layering with remaining ingredients.

  • 4

    Scatter Eton mess with raspberries and extra strawberries and serve.

The Latest from Gourmet Traveller

  • Entertaining10 masterful cookware sets for the discerning home chef

    Mar 27, 2024

  • Restaurant NewsThe Sanderson is launching a monthly co*cktail-pairing degustation

    Mar 22, 2024

  • Drinks NewsHow to make a Blackberry Buck co*cktail

    Mar 22, 2024

  • Travel NewsFour domestic and international flight sales worth checking out tonight

    Mar 22, 2024

  • Travel NewsFive reasons to road-test the new GWM Haval H6GT coupe SUV

    Mar 21, 2024

  • CruisesCunard’s culinary cruise itinerary for 2025 is as deliciously exclusive as you’d expect

    Mar 21, 2024

  • Restaurant ReviewsLola's: Restaurant review

    Mar 21, 2024

  • Crustacean crash course: A guide to the types of crustaceans to know

    Mar 21, 2024

  • Recipe CollectionsBest hot cross bun recipes for Easter

    Mar 21, 2024

  • Drinks NewsClassic co*cktail: How to make a Manhattan

    Mar 21, 2024

  • Restaurant NewsThe best new restaurants and bars in Melbourne

    Mar 21, 2024

  • Recipe CollectionsRecipes for the ultimate Easter lunch feast

    Mar 20, 2024

  • Destinations16 best Maldives resorts for an island getaway in 2024

    Mar 20, 2024

  • Restaurant News10 impressive Brisbane restaurants to book when visitors are in town

    Mar 19, 2024

  • Restaurant NewsThe best new restaurants and bars in Sydney

    Mar 19, 2024

  • Supersize Me: The future of dining out in Australia

    Mar 19, 2024

  • DestinationsBalearic beauty: Where to eat, drink and stay on Menorca Island, Spain

    Mar 19, 2024

  • Chefs' RecipesMassimo Mele's lemon-scented goat meatballs

    Mar 18, 2024

  • Recipe Collections40 best fish recipes for Good Friday, Easter and beyond

    Mar 18, 2024

The only Eton Mess recipes you'll ever need (2024)

FAQs

What ingredients does an Eton Mess contain? ›

Eton mess is a combination of just three ingredients: meringue, strawberries, and whipped cream. Think of it as a deconstructed strawberry shortcake — crunchy meringue cookies stand in as a delicious alternative to cake, and instead of stacking, you get to toss everything together.

Why is Eton Mess so good? ›

Traditionally, Eton Mess is made by mixing together sliced up strawberries, whipped cream, and crushed up meringues. That's it. That's all you have to do. The brightness of the berries and the fattiness of the cream, combined with the sweet crunch of the meringue crumbles, make for a blissfully simple kind of sundae.

What is the British prime minister's favorite dessert? ›

Discover the iconic British dessert, Eton Mess, loved by prime ministers. Indulge in the delicious combination of meringue, cream, and fresh strawberries. Try this decadent treat and escape the worries of the world.

What is the story behind Eton Mess? ›

The creation of the recipe was a happy accident. The original recipe of strawberry, meringue and cream pudding was unintentionally dropped during a cricket match between Eton and Harrow in the 19th century. Instead of tossing the delicious ingredients, an Eton Mess came to be!

Can you eat Eton Mess the next day? ›

I recommend making this Eton Mess recipe just before you want to eat it. An hour is all it needs in the fridge, but if it is left too long, the meringues will go soft and blend into the cream. And you absolutely want to have pops of crisp meringue in each bite! Consuming it within 12 hours is best.

Do you put ice cream in Eton Mess? ›

Just toss summer berries with a little sugar and a splash of St-Germain, crumble a few of your finest store-bought meringues, and layer the fruit and cookies with a generous amount of vanilla and strawberry ice cream.

What is the girl equivalent to Eton? ›

In The UK perhaps the closest equivalent to Eton for girls is the boarding school Cheltenham Ladies College established in 1954 in the English county of Gloucestershire town of Cheltenham.

What is the difference between Eton Mess and pavlova? ›

Both have a meringue base, whipped cream and some kind of fruit or sauce. It's really just how it's presented that is different. Eton Mess is a more relaxed version of a pavlova as you can use broken pieces of meringues. It is served in a glass so you can be more generous with whipped cream, sauces etc.

Has a girl ever gone to Eton? ›

Until now, there were just a select handful of 'Old Etoniennes' among its alumni: 16 women who attended the school for one term in 1983, as they underwent preparations for their Oxbridge entrance exams.

What was Queen Elizabeth's Favourite dessert? ›

Posted on www.today.com (Read original article here.) “This chocolate biscuit cake is Her Royal Majesty the Queen's favorite afternoon tea cake by far,” chef Darren McGrady, The Royal Chef and former personal chef to Queen Elizabeth II, told TODAY Food.

What is the most British lunch? ›

British lunch ideas the nation is famous for include beer-battered fish and chips, and a succulent roast beef with all the trimmings. A bacon and Stilton quiche or steak and cheese pasties are tasty treats, and for Britain on a plate, look no further than individual cottage pies!

What is the most popular British dessert? ›

So, the humble apple crumble clinched the top spot, pipping Vicky sponge to claim the title as the UK's favourite dessert. And who could blame Brits for being besotted by this classic British pud?

What are some fun facts about Eton Mess? ›

Eton mess was served in the 1930s in the school's "sock shop" (tuck shop), and was originally made with either strawberries or bananas mixed with ice-cream or cream. Meringue was a later addition. An Eton mess can be made with many other types of summer fruit, but strawberries are regarded as more traditional.

What religion is Eton? ›

preparing the boys for the difficult times and displaying the accessible nature of the Christian faith, as a place of refuge and forgiveness. Services in both College and Lower Chapels follow the practice of the Church of England, with a mix of morning prayer, evensong and choral communion.

Is Eton still all boys? ›

Welcome to Eton College, a boarding school for boys aged between 13 and 18.

What is the US equivalent to double cream? ›

The British use double cream in recipes the way we use heavy cream or whipping cream here in the US, but they also allow it to accompany dessert the way we might use ice cream.

What does Eton Mess taste like? ›

Eton Mess is a crunchy meringue layered with soft whipped cream and juicy strawberries. It tastes like clouds and it's super delicious to eat!

Can you use double cream instead of whipping cream? ›

You can use heavy cream and whipping cream interchangeably in cooking, keeping in mind that your choice may change the consistency of your dish. Heavy cream tends to create a thicker, creamier result than whipping cream.

Top Articles
Chocolate Pancake Roll - Easy Pancake Dessert Recipe for Kids - Twinkling Tina Cooks
Interest Profiler (IP) at O*NET Resource Center
Koopa Wrapper 1 Point 0
Frank Lloyd Wright, born 150 years ago, still fascinates
Lifebridge Healthstream
Math Playground Protractor
Tv Guide Bay Area No Cable
877-668-5260 | 18776685260 - Robocaller Warning!
Words From Cactusi
Day Octopus | Hawaii Marine Life
Myunlb
Rapv Springfield Ma
Skylar Vox Bra Size
FAQ: Pressure-Treated Wood
How to Store Boiled Sweets
Missing 2023 Showtimes Near Landmark Cinemas Peoria
Youravon Comcom
25Cc To Tbsp
Ms Rabbit 305
Joann Ally Employee Portal
Is The Yankees Game Postponed Tonight
Melissababy
R&S Auto Lockridge Iowa
11 Ways to Sell a Car on Craigslist - wikiHow
Cornedbeefapproved
Wonder Film Wiki
Royalfh Obituaries Home
Biografie - Geertjan Lassche
Criglist Miami
Stephanie Bowe Downey Ca
5 Star Rated Nail Salons Near Me
Salemhex ticket show3
The Posturepedic Difference | Sealy New Zealand
Laveen Modern Dentistry And Orthodontics Laveen Village Az
Davita Salary
Have you seen this child? Caroline Victoria Teague
Where Can I Cash A Huntington National Bank Check
Jr Miss Naturist Pageant
To Give A Guarantee Promise Figgerits
What Does Code 898 Mean On Irs Transcript
Publictributes
Cheetah Pitbull For Sale
Wrigley Rooftops Promo Code
The best bagels in NYC, according to a New Yorker
Worcester County Circuit Court
Brake Pads - The Best Front and Rear Brake Pads for Cars, Trucks & SUVs | AutoZone
Florida Lottery Powerball Double Play
Whitney Wisconsin 2022
Congruent Triangles Coloring Activity Dinosaur Answer Key
El Patron Menu Bardstown Ky
How To Connect To Rutgers Wifi
Laurel Hubbard’s Olympic dream dies under the world’s gaze
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Amb. Frankie Simonis

Last Updated:

Views: 6370

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Amb. Frankie Simonis

Birthday: 1998-02-19

Address: 64841 Delmar Isle, North Wiley, OR 74073

Phone: +17844167847676

Job: Forward IT Agent

Hobby: LARPing, Kitesurfing, Sewing, Digital arts, Sand art, Gardening, Dance

Introduction: My name is Amb. Frankie Simonis, I am a hilarious, enchanting, energetic, cooperative, innocent, cute, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.