Eton Mess
User Reviews
5
Eton Mess
Description
This Eton Mess recipe uses homemade or store-bought meringue cookies as a base, providing crisp yet airy sweetness. Instead of just macerating the berries, the berries are cooked with sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice to create a thickened, slightly tart berry sauce, which is then cooled. The remaining fresh berry slices are folded in for added texture and brightness.
Whipped cream is combined with powdered sugar and vanilla extract and beaten until stiff peaks form, lending a rich, airy body to the dessert. The final assembly mixes the cooled berry sauce, fresh berries, and crumbled meringue to create a harmonious blend of textures and flavors, from creamy to crisp, and sweet to tart.
Eton Mess is commonly served chilled and is a refreshing dessert that pairs well after rich or heavy meals. Preparing the meringues in advance and cooling the berry sauce ahead of time streamlines assembly. The choice to cook berries adds a deeper berry flavor perfect for less ripe fruit but can be skipped for traditional raw macerated berries.
Ingredients
- 1 batch meringue cookies click the link for the recipe (or you may substitute store-bought meringue cookies)
Berries¹
- 2 lbs strawberries hulled and quartered, divided
- 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
Whipped Cream
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare meringue cookies at least 3 hours in advance of beginning (I like to prepare mine a day in advance). Set aside.
Berries
- To prepare berry layer, combine 2 cups (about 300g) of quartered strawberries (please note this is not all of your berries, only 2 cups. Reserve the remaining berries, you'll need them shortly), sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice in a medium-sized saucepan.
- Stir until ingredients are well-combined. Turn stovetop heat to medium/medium-low and cook, stirring constantly, until berries release their juices.
- Continue to cook (still stirring constantly) until mixture begins to boil and slightly thickens.
- Remove from heat and stir in your remaining berry slices. Allow mixture to cool completely before using in Eton mess.
Whipped Cream
- Prepare whipped cream by combining cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl.
- Use an electric mixer to beat until thick, fluffy, and stiff peaks have been reached. If not using immediately, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Assembly
- Note: do not assemble Eton mess until you are ready to serve. Place your meringue cookies in a large ziploc bag and use your hands or a rolling pin to crush them into bite-sized or smaller pieces.
- Add approximately ⅔ of the meringue pieces (no need to measure, just an approximation is fine) into the whipped cream and use a spatula to fold together.
- Dollop a spoonful of the whipped cream/meringue mixture into the bottom of a (preferably chilled) trifle glass. Sprinkle a spoonful (I use about a Tablespoon) of the remaining crushed meringue over the whipped cream mixture. Top with a generous spoonful of the berry mixture. Repeat until trifle glass is full. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Cooking berries into a sauce brings out more flavor and works well if berries aren't fully ripe.
- Traditional Eton Mess uses simply macerated raw berries with sugar; cook berries option is optional.
- Prepare meringue cookies at least 3 hours, preferably a day, before assembly for best texture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings (this will vary depending on your serving glasses)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 297 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 297kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 24g | 8% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Cholesterol | 82mg | 27% |
| Sodium | 24mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 221mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 18g | 36% |
| Vitamin A | 888IU | 18% |
| Vitamin C | 68mg | 76% |
| Calcium | 57mg | 6% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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