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

Why do they call it 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.

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.

Is Eton Mess a dropped pavlova? ›

What is Eton Mess? Well, this crowdpleasing trio of strawberries, cream and meringue is said to have originated at Eton College in the late 19th century after a pavlova-style dessert was dropped (or, some say, an over-excited labrador knocked the pavlova over…).

Where can I get an Eton Mess? ›

ASDA Raspberry Eton Mess - ASDA Groceries.

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.

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 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 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 meringue holds the best? ›

Italian meringue has a soft and creamy texture that is considered the most stable of the three types. Because it holds its shape so well, you can typically find Italian meringue piped on desserts like baked Alaska or pastries.

Will carton egg whites whip into meringue? ›

Carton Egg Whites: The meringue might have to be whipped longer than it would with regular fresh whites. Also, have in mind that the meringue will seem to be a bit softer than usual, that's the nature of the carton egg white meringue, you may have to do a few trials before learning the perfect meringue consistency.

Why did pavlova weep? ›

You may be thinking why not just leave the pav in the oven for longer to ensure that the middle is cooked. Unfortunately there is one major problem associated with leaving the pav in the oven for too long - weeping pavs. Weeping can occur when the middle of the pav has dried out too much.

What is the liquid at the bottom of the pavlova? ›

If your meringue base is spreading or weeping it is likely that the egg whites were slightly over whisked before the sugar was added. Check the whites frequently when whisking them, particularly if using a powerful free standing mixer.

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.

Has a girl ever gone to Eton? ›

Until now, there were just a select handful of 'Old Etoniennes' among its alumni: 16 women who attended the school for one term in 1983, as they underwent preparations for their Oxbridge entrance exams.

Is Eton still all male? ›

At its heart sits an independent boys' boarding school which leads a dynamic range of educational activities and an expanding network of educational partnerships.

Do they still wear uniforms at Eton? ›

Eton has a unique uniform.

There is also a distinctive white neck tie. Although very traditional, the uniform has been modernised over time with each new headmaster, but still remains in the accepted style. Black top hats are often worn by Eton pupils, but are only usually worn for special events.

What are the allegations on Eton College? ›

In 2018, a former teacher and house master at Eton College was also reported to the police over alleged child abuse. The late Raef Payne was accused of swapping pictures of naked children with other men at parties. The school reported its former staff member to Thames Valley police.

References

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