I FINALLY got around to making this wonderful dessert that I have seen plastered all over Instagram. I thought what better way to enjoy my all-time favorite meringue cookies in a ‘messy’ sort of way! When all was chilled and ready for devouring, my son says to me, “Oh it’s good…but kind of messy…” I simply smiled and said, “An Eton’s Mess” 😉
Eton Mess Recipe
Eton Mess is an all-time classic British dessert and an Eton Mess recipe must be included in any list of strawberry recipes. The dish was traditionally served at Eton College but how it came to have the name is not clear. One story is a Labrador dog sat on a picnic basket in the back of a car and squashed a strawberry and meringue dessert. The dessert is quick and easy to make and makes great use of ripe strawberries at the height of summer when they are plentiful. Frozen or canned strawberries don’t work.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp fine sugar
- Homemade meringue recipe
- 1 lb/ 450g fresh strawberries
- 1 tbsp confectioners/icing sugar
Preparation:
Method
- Place the whipping cream in a large mixing bowl, add the sugar and whip with an electric mixture until the cream is light and fluffy. Do not over whip – the success of the dish requires softly whipped cream.
- Break the meringue into large bite-size chucks and gently stir into the cream. Don’t worry if some of the meringue crumbles just add this too.
- Place half of the strawberries into another large mixing bowl and press gently with the back of a fork to break up the strawberries slightly and release some of the juice. Stir gently into the cream.
- Halve, then quarter the remaining strawberries.
- Place the cream mixture into a 7″ trifle or glass serving dish, top with the strawberry pieces, chill for 30 minutes in the refrigerator and sprinkle with the confectioners/icing sugar before serving. Alternately serve in individual size dessert bowl or glasses.
I love the idea of placing food and of course, beverages in a canning jar. There is something rustic, yet elegant way of serving food and beverage…and desserts in this manner. Please enjoy and much as we did!–gcc