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's the difference between pavlova and Eton Mess? ›

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 the dessert called Eton Mess? ›

It has long been associated with Eton College, a public school in Berkshire England, where it is served in the annual cricket match against their rivals Harrow School, who serve their own version of the dessert called Harrow Mess.

Is Eton Mess named after the school? ›

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. Eton mess is occasionally served at Harrow School, where it is referred to as Harrow mess.

What is the pink Baileys Eton mess? ›

Bailey's Limited Edition Eton Mess blends irresistible original Irish Cream with flavours of juicy strawberries & raspberries, meringue & whipped cream to create smooth and creamy drink.

Can you eat Eton Mess the next day? ›

I recommend making this Eton Mess recipe just before you want to eat it. An hour is all it needs in the fridge, but if it is left too long, the meringues will go soft and blend into the cream. And you absolutely want to have pops of crisp meringue in each bite! Consuming it within 12 hours is best.

Why does pavlova flop? ›

Overbeaten egg whites: If you over-beat the egg whites, this can cause them to curdle and result in a pavlova that collapses after baking.

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.

Why do you put vinegar in pavlova? ›

The acid will actually help stabilise your whipped whites too. That's why we add cream of tartar to our pavlova recipes. If you use a little more vinegar in the meringue, you'll encourage a soft centre and a crisp shell.

Who first made Eton Mess? ›

Place of Origin

Queen Victoria attended a garden party the evening before Prince George was to wed Princess May of Teck. The year was 1893, and the event spawned the first written mention of a dish called “Eton Mess aux Fraises,” recorded by historian Arthur Beavan.

Do they still make Angel Delight? ›

Angel Delight is currently sold in four flavours: strawberry, butterscotch, chocolate and banana.

Why is Eton Mess popular? ›

The generally-accepted story is that the strawberry, meringue and cream pudding was dropped at an Eton v Harrow cricket match in the late 19th century. Rather than waste the food, it was simply scooped up off the floor and served, smashed to bits, in individual bowls.

What do you call someone from Eton? ›

Eto·​ni·​an ē-ˈtō-nē-ən. : a student or former student of Eton College. Etonian adjective.

What is the Eton Mess 1893? ›

Eton Mess is a classic British dessert, supposed to have originated in 1893 from Eton College as a dessert they served in cricket matches to opposing Harrow School.

Does Eton still exist? ›

Eton today is a larger school than it has been for much of its history. In 1678, there were 207 boys. In the late 18th century, there were about 300, while today, the total has risen to over 1,300.

What flavor is Baileys Eton mess? ›

Indulge in a delicious flavour mix of creamy meringue and summer berry flavours of strawberry, raspberry and blueberry. Baileys Eton Mess is best enjoyed over ice, poured over an Eton Mess, or a delicious Eton Mess Martini co*cktail for the ultimate summer indulgent taste of summer!

Does Eton Mess contain gluten? ›

Eton Mess is an English chilled dessert celebrating long summer days at garden parties, picnics and outdoor gatherings. This naturally gluten-free dessert is a combination of flavoured meringues crumbled together with fresh strawberries, coulis and whipped cream.

Can you use double cream as whipping cream? ›

Double cream is the thickest with around 48% fat content. It makes an ideal pouring cream, such as when serving with fruit, or it can be whipped and piped for decorating desserts. It can also be used to add richness and creaminess to savoury dishes.

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