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

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

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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.

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

FAQs

What is the difference between pavlova and Eton Mess? ›

The difference is in the dish

The flavors and textures of the British Eton mess are nearly the same, but the presentation is dressed down. In contrast to the picture-perfect pavlova, the dégagé Eton mess is served in a bowl or small jar with a spoon rather than on a dessert plate with a fork.

Why is it called Eton Mess? ›

Eton mess is a traditional English dessert consisting of a mixture of strawberries or other berries, meringue, and whipped cream. First mentioned in print in 1893, it is commonly believed to originate from Eton College and is served at the annual cricket match against the pupils of Harrow School.

Can you whip cream in advance? ›

Storing and Making Whipped Cream Ahead of Time

You can make whipped cream up to four days in advance of when you plan to use it. Store it the refrigerator in a covered container. If the whipped cream starts to soften up, you can rewhip it into stiff peaks when you're ready to serve.

Where can I get an Eton Mess? ›

ASDA Raspberry Eton Mess - ASDA Groceries.

Why does pavlova flop? ›

Egg whites are cooked at 80 C so we know that the baking temperature has to be above 80 C. If the middle of your pav doesn't reach 80 C the marshmallow is not completely cooked & it will not be stable. Too much unstable marshmallow, the pav will collapse & it will weep.

What is the most complicated meringue? ›

Italian Meringue Recipe

This type of meringue is commonly known as the most challenging of the three to master, but with the right technique you can create delicious desserts topped with this fluffy Italian treat. Like most meringue recipes, Italian meringue starts with sugar, water and egg whites.

What is the girl equivalent to Eton? ›

Wycombe Abbey, Buckinghamshire

Wycombe Abbey is considered by many to be the girls' equivalent of Eton College, and it's one of the top-performing girls' schools in the country.

Why is Eton so special? ›

Eton has educated generations of British and foreign aristocracy, and for the first time, members of the British royal family in direct line of succession: the Prince of Wales and his brother the Duke of Sussex, in contrast to the royal tradition of male education at either naval college or Gordonstoun, or by tutors.

What does pop mean at Eton? ›

Pop. The body of senior prefects, more properly known as The Eton Society. Its likely origin comes from the fact that boys used to meet above Mrs Hatton's lollypop shop on the High Street, and 'popina' is Latin for a shop that sells food.

What happens if you whip whipping cream too long? ›

At this point, if you walk away from your mixer while it's still running, you run the risk of overbeating your cream. This is what whipped cream looks like if you let it mix for too long. It deflates and starts looking clumpy and curd-like in texture.

What cream is best for whipping? ›

The cream should contain enough fat, at least 30%. Single cream won't whip but whipping cream (36%) and double cream (48%) will. Thick cream and clotted cream don't need whipping, they have a different, heavier, smoother texture than whipped cream. Whipping cream will be lighter and fluffier than double cream.

How long will whipped cream stay stiff in the fridge? ›

Keep in the coldest part of your refrigerator for 5 to 7 days. If it becomes too soft, simply whip it again with a little extra powdered sugar or cold cream. You can also freeze homemade whipped topping for up to 2 months! Thaw slowly in the refrigerator and re-whip as needed.

What is the finest Eton mess? ›

Product Description. Baked strawberry and raspberry cheesecake on a biscuit base, with a baked sponge layer and topped with beetroot coloured baked meringue. A fruity strawberry and raspberry baked cheesecake on a crumbly digestive biscuit base, topped with a baked sponge layer and finished with fluffy meringue.

Where can I buy frozen Eton mess? ›

Specially Selected Eton Mess British Ice Cream 1 Litre | ALDI.

Does Eton still exist? ›

Location:Eton College: Eton is located in the United Kingdom, specifically in Windsor, Berkshire, near London. It is a well-known independent boys' boarding school that was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI.

What is the difference between the 3 types of meringue? ›

But not all meringues are the same. There are in fact three major types: French, Swiss, and Italian. The distinction depends on how the key ingredients — egg whites and sugar — are combined and whether any heat is involved in the process.

What's the difference between Pavlova and meringue? ›

What's the Difference Between Pavlova and Meringue? Pavlovas and meringues are both made of whipped egg white, but a Pavlova has a delicate crispy exterior with pillowy soft marshmallow inside, while meringue is dry and crisp all the way through.

Is pavlova Russian or Australian? ›

pavlova, meringue-based dessert of Australian and New Zealand origin that is commonly topped with whipped cream and fruit and served at holidays. New Zealanders and Australians compete for ownership of pavlova, which in both countries is an iconic national delicacy.

What does Eton mess taste like? ›

For me, that means strawberries and my all-time favourite pudding, Eton Mess. It's essentially a celebration of summer berries, all wrapped up in a luxurious vanilla cream and a crunchy and chewy meringue.

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