What is Eton Mess?

Eton Mess is a traditional English dessert that is believed to have originated from Eton College. It is typically served at events like the annual cricket match against Harrow School. The dish is a delicious mix of strawberries, meringue, and whipped cream.

Ingredients

• 500g (about 1 pound) strawberries, hulled and chopped
• 2 tablespoons caster sugar (for strawberries, optional)
• 300ml (about 1 1/4 cups) double or heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon caster sugar (for cream, optional)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
• 250g (about 9 ounces) meringues (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions

1. Prepare the strawberries:

Place the hulled and chopped strawberries into a bowl with 2 tablespoons of caster sugar (if using). Toss together and let them sit for about 15 minutes or until the strawberries release some juice.

2. Prepare the whipped cream:

In a separate bowl, pour in the double or heavy cream. If desired, add 1 tablespoon of caster sugar and the vanilla extract. Whip the cream until it forms soft peaks.

3. Crumble the meringues:

Take the meringues and break them into bite-sized pieces. You want to have a variety of sizes for a nice mix of textures in your Eton Mess.

4. Combine the ingredients:

Take the whipped cream and gently fold in the crumbled meringues and most of the strawberries along with any juices that have been released (reserve some strawberries for garnishing). Gently fold everything together until well combined.

5. Serve:

Spoon the mixture into serving dishes and top each serving with the reserved strawberries. You can also add some extra crumbled meringues on top if you like.

Enjoy your Eton Mess immediately to maintain the contrast in textures between the crisp meringue and the soft cream and strawberries.

Variations

While strawberries are the most traditional fruit used in Eton Mess, you can substitute or add other berries such as raspberries or blueberries. Additionally, some recipes include a drizzle of fruit coulis or a splash of liqueur such as Grand Marnier.