Strawberries, cream and crushed meringue folded together in minutes — Eton Mess is one of those puddings that looks impressive but takes almost no effort. It’s a brilliant one to make with the kids too, since there’s plenty of crushing, folding and licking of spoons along the way.
Puréeing a portion of the strawberries makes the dessert look prettier and brings out more of that fresh strawberry flavour, but if you’re short on time you can simply chop all the strawberries instead — it will still taste wonderful.
You may also enjoy: Fresh Strawberry Shortcake
Eton Mess
This recipe serves 4.
Ingredients
- 450g fresh strawberries, hulled
- 1 tablespoon icing sugar
- 1 tablespoon caster sugar (optional)
- 350ml cream
- 4 store-bought meringue nests
Method
1. Chop the strawberries into halves or quarters, depending on their size — you want bite-sized pieces.
2. Place about one-third of the berries and the icing sugar in a food processor or blender and process until just puréed (or mash them with a potato masher or fork).
3. Place the remaining strawberries in a bowl and sprinkle with the caster sugar, only if you think they need a little extra sweetness. Set aside to macerate while you whip the cream.
4. Whip the cream just until soft peaks form. Break the meringues into bite-sized pieces and fold them into the whipped cream, along with the chopped strawberries, reserving a few for decoration.
Gently fold in all but a few tablespoons of the purée, marbling it through the cream mixture.
Spoon into individual serving dishes, drizzle with the remaining purée and reserved strawberries, and serve immediately.
You may also enjoy: July 4th Cheesecake with Berries
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Eton Mess ahead of time?
Eton Mess is best assembled just before serving, as the meringue softens once it meets the cream and fruit. You can whip the cream, purée the strawberries and prep the chopped fruit a few hours ahead and keep them separately chilled, then fold everything together right before serving.
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Fresh strawberries give the best texture and flavour, but if fresh aren’t available you can use thawed frozen strawberries for the purée. Just drain off any excess liquid first so the mixture doesn’t turn watery.
Can I use other fruit instead of strawberries?
Yes — raspberries, mixed berries or a combination of both work really well in this recipe and can be swapped in using the same method.
Is there a dairy-free way to make this?
You can substitute a dairy-free whipping cream alternative and check that your meringue nests are suitable for your dietary needs, since ingredients vary by brand.
Have you tried this Eton Mess recipe? Let us know how it turned out in the comments below.
More recipes to try
- Fresh Strawberry Shortcake
- July 4th Cheesecake with Berries
- Browse more family-friendly dessert recipes on MyKidsTime
Fancy trying a few more no-fuss family desserts? Have a browse through our other quick recipes and save your favourites for next time.
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