Eton mess is a classic British dessert that is incredibly easy to prepare - simply fruit, cream and meringue mixed together - but the result is so delicious. It's perfect for a party or easy anytime treat.
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I often find summer entertaining can feel relatively easy to mix and match various dishes, especially if you make use of the grill for things like burgers, lamb koftas and chicken souvlaki. Then sides can also be flexible and easy to take bits of what you like, such as elote-style corn and black bean salad, marinated grilled zucchini or grilled vegetable couscous salad.
Desserts, however, I have sometimes struggled on. But I have found what has worked best for me in recent years is to prepare ahead. Make ahead options like Finnish blueberry pie, mango panna cotta and strawberry mousse all take the stress away from the day you are entertaining.
This simple dessert is another great option where you can have all the components ready to simply combine and serve. And it's delicious, too.
A simple set of ingredients
One of the great things about Eton mess is it's so incredibly simple. It's basically just three components:
- Whipped cream
- Meringue
- Fresh fruit, usually berries.
Originally, the fruit was strawberries and/or bananas and it was combined with just cream or ice cream. However these days, meringue is considered a core component, giving a lovely mix of textures in the dessert.
Strawberries are generally considered the classic fruit, but you can also vary this, depending on what you have or prefer. I really like it with both strawberry and blueberry, as here, both to make a red white and blue dessert as well as for the mix of flavors. But I also really like mango passion fruit Eton mess for something a little different.
You can play around with the flavors a little to suit your taste and what you have, too. Blackberries and raspberries also work well or you can try other fruit combinations. You can flavor the cream, meringues or swap the cream for a dairy-free alternative.
Where does Eton mess get it's name?
Eton mess is named after Eton College, one of the oldest and most elite private schools in England. However the specifics of how the dessert came are a little more unclear.
As may be fitting, one of the more common stories is probably simply a legend. The story goes that a strawberry meringue dessert (or pavlova) was accidentally crushed at a school cricket match. Another variation claims a dog sat on the picnic basket with the meringue in it. Either way, the story goes that rather than waste it, the mixture was scooped up and served.
Whatever the true origin, it is apparently served annually at the school's cricket match against Harrow school and has been for over a century. Records show it was served at a royal garden party in the 1890s. And over the years, it has become a beloved dessert beyond it's elite origins, and for good reason.
Steps to make Eton mess
While incredibly simple, you will find some slight variations in how you make this. The main one is some choose to make more of a fruit sauce and layer this in with the other ingredients. While it may be a little prettier (and I do this more in my mango version), more traditionally, you simply mix everything together.
The slight additional steps I recommend are macerating the strawberries - this simply means leaving them to sit with some sugar which helps to draw out their natural flavor and sweetness. It also creates a slight sauce. I also like to sweeten the sugar slightly and add a touch of vanilla to make it that bit more flavorful. But it really is so simple with these few steps:
- Hull and chop the strawberries, sprinkle over the sugar, stir then leave to macerate.
- Break up the meringues into chunks - I prefer to snap by hand, so the pieces are relatively even, but if you find this tricky, you can use a rolling pin to help crush them.
- Whip the cream with a little powdered/icing sugar and vanilla.
- Fold the meringue and fruit into the cream mixture and transfer to serving dishes.
It's really that easy! I like to make it with homemade meringue cookies, but you can also use store bought meringues, such as meringue nests.
Can Eton Mess be prepared in advance?
While you can make this completely ahead of time, the meringue can tend to soften and "weep" and so the overall texture is not quite the same. I do find homemade meringues soften more quickly, too. It can still work to make a little ahead, but the better option is to instead just prepare the components.
Steps 1 - 3 of the above can be done ahead of time and then you simply store the meringue pieces at room temperature, and the fruit and cream in the fridge. Then, when ready to serve, combine everything and serve it up .
Eton mess is an incredibly easy and delicious dessert, that is perfect to enjoy in warmer weather. Light, creamy and with just enough sweetness, it will be a favorite in no time.
Try these other desserts perfect for summer:
- Summer pudding (another classic British dessert!)
- Rote Grütze (a simple and tasty German red berry compote/pudding)
- Grilled peaches with mascarpone
- Grilled pineapple ice cream
- Lime mascarpone cheesecake shooters
- Plus get plenty more ideas in the summer recipes archives.
Eton mess
Ingredients
- 8 oz strawberries
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 3 oz blueberries
- 1 oz meringues homemade or store bought
- 1 cup heavy cream double cream
- ½ tablespoon confectioner's sugar icing sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Wash, hull and roughly chop the strawberries into bite-sized pieces, then place in a bowl. Sprinkle over the sugar, toss to help the sugar dissolve then set aside to macerate as you prepare the other parts.
- Break the meringues into pieces of similar size to the chunks of strawberries.
- Add the confectioner's/icing sugar and vanilla extract to the cream and whisk until soft peaks form. The cream and prepared fruit can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for a few hours, and the meringue kept in a sealed container at room temperature.
- Combine the components when ready to serve. If you like, hold back a few pieces of strawberry and blueberries to decorate when serving. Then carefully fold the meringue and fruit into the cream mixture so everything is relatively well distributed.
- Transfer to serving glasses/dishes and top with the reserved strawberries and blueberries. Serve immediately for the meringue to be at it's best texture.
Notes
Nutrition
See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store.
This recipe was first shared in May 2015 and has been updated, primarily with new photos and additional information and tips.
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Katwyn says
What kind of meringues are used in this recipe? Are they available in stores and have a brand name, or does one need to make those first? I’ve never come across those in New England, but would love to make this recipe!
Caroline's Cooking says
So really any plain meringue will work - I make them but you can buy them as well. In the US, you may find them in the bakery section. On brands, I'm not sure there is a specific one but Trader Joes seems to have their own brand.
Anne Lawton says
I have never heard of this, but it looks like a great idea for dessert.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Anne, it's definitely one to try!
Shelby says
I can completely see why it would be a hit! I know I would love it. Anytime you add heavy cream to the picture it becomes a decadent delight!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, the cream definitely helps make it that bit more decadent, but actually for me the fruit and meringue are so good in there too.
Eileen Kelly says
Such a fresh dessert that is easy to prepare. Sure to be a hit at summer BBQ parties. I love the red, white and blue theme too.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, it really is!
Karen says
I have never had this before, and it does sound perfect for a post barbecue dessert! Definitely making this ASAP!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Karen, hope you enjoy, it's such a great, simple combination.
Jolene says
So interesting to learn the history behind the name, and it looks amazing!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks I agree - with this one it's an unconfirmed rumor, but a fun one. And it's delicious either way!
Carlee says
My aunts fell in love with Eton mess when they were visiting Ireland. I should make this for them! (Of course I'd love a taste too!)
Caroline's Cooking says
Making it for others sounds like a perfect excuse to have it yourself too 🙂
A_Boleyn says
The classic Eton mess with whipped cream is gorgeous and delicious but the yogurt (drained overnight) is really close especially if you add some vanilla sugar to the yogurt. 🙂
Lauren @ Sew You Think You Can Cook says
Yum. Light desserts with fruit are my favorite kind! I hope you had an enjoyable holiday weekend.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Lauren, yes I agree desserts with fruit are great.
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere says
Oh happy accident that gave us such a delicious dessert! Yours look wonderful!
Caroline's Cooking says
Very true, Sarah, and thanks!
Sarah says
This dessert always reminds me of my best friend, her mom was British and they had this all the time!
Caroline's Cooking says
How funny! Well, being so easy and tasty I can kind of understand!
susan // the wimpy vegetarian says
Eton mess is one of my all-time favorites. It's so easy and so good! Perfect for a crowd 🙂
Caroline's Cooking says
So true, Susan! Thanks for stopping by.
Bobbi from Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen says
I love the story (I had never heard of Eton Mess before now) and this dessert!!
Renee says
No matter how the name came about, I just love it. What a great jumble of creamy, fruity, and crunchy all in one dessert.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Renee, it is so simple but delicious!