Easy Eton Mess Recipe

Baking isn’t my favorite activity, but this British eton mess dessert is a dessert I know I can easily make (and don’t mind!). There’s nothing like a dessert recipe that requires absolutely no oven, has minimal prep, and still manages to look fancy! That’s all thanks to my store bought meringue cookie hack.

If you want to make this British eton mess totally homemade, you can start with these meringue cookies (all you need is egg whites, salt, sugar, and cream of tartar). After the eton mess is complete, serve it in individual portions or in a tray. It’s so perfect and delicious, especially in the summer months.

What is British Eton Mess?

If you’re ever traveling through the United Kingdom (UK) during the summer, you’ll be sure to stumble upon Eton mess. It’s a super simple, no-bake dessert made with fresh fruit, whipped cream and crushed meringue cookies.

The ingredients are all mixed up together (like a “mess”, hence the name) and placed in a cup. So, where did the word “eton” come from? The dessert is believed to have originated in “Eton College” in the UK. I’ve heard there was a dog that sat or ran over a pavlova at a cricket match, and squashed it into a “mess” — oops! Either way, it’s absolutely delicious (and no dogs will be sitting on desserts here!).

How to Make Easy Eton Mess

If you can crush cookies, slice strawberries, and make whipped cream, you’ll easily get this eton mess recipe made in no time. It’s that simple!

• Make the whipped cream: Using a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, beat the heavy whipping cream to stiff peaks. A hand mixer and a large bowl work well, too.
• Crush the cookies: Next, break the meringue cookies into pieces and fold them into the whipped cream.
• Slice the berries: Slice the strawberries and set half aside. Smash the other half and mix into the cream mixture.
• Assemble the eton mess: In individual cups or a large serving dish, spoon in the cream, cookie, and strawberry mixture. Top with the remaining chopped strawberries and a sprinkle of sugar. Bon appetit!

Tips for the Best British Eton Mess

Eton mess is a no-fuss kind of dessert. These simple tips will help you nail it just like a British chef!

• Don’t try to be perfect with the cookie crumbs: When breaking the meringue cookies, don’t waste any crumbs or try to make them similar in size. The cookies will break into uneven shapes and that’s totally fine.
• Use extra cold heavy cream and don’t over mix it: For the fluffiest whipped cream, opt for extra cold heavy whipping cream. If you need, stick it in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before whipping it. Also, be sure not to over mix the cream past stiff peaks or whip it on high speed, as it will turn to butter.
• Switch out the fruit: If its not strawberry season, feel free to use any berry or fruit you like best. Raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries work as great berry swaps. Otherwise, cherries, bananas, or even just strawberry sauce works well, too.

Can I Make Ahead & Store It?

I love it when I can make desserts ahead of time, but alas, eton mess is one of those that should be enjoyed right away. It’s also best to eat it all, as the delicate meringue cookies begin to dissolve and turn into mush if they sit for too long (more than 30 minutes). The crunch of the cookies is such an important part!

More Refreshing Desserts

• Panna Cotta Recipe – Italian custard with fruit puree
• Pavlova – A meringue base topped with cream and fresh berries
• Strawberry Jello Cake – Creamy cake topped with strawberries and jello
• Espresso Jello Shots – Milk and coffee jello parfaits

Recipe

Easy Eton Mess Recipe

Print Pin

Servings

5 servings

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin

This British eton mess is a dessert made from mixing crushed meringue cookies, strawberries, and whipped cream. It looks "messy", but that's exactly what makes it so inviting!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream very cold
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 cups store bought meringue cookies
• 3 cups strawberries

US Units – Metric

Instructions

• In a stand mixer, beat the heavy whipping cream until you get stiff peaks.
  
• Break the meringue cookies into bite-sized pieces. Add them directly to the whipped cream.
  
• Slice the strawberries into small pieces. Set half of them aside. Using a fork, mash the other half of the strawberries in a small bowl.
  
• Add the mashed strawberries to the cream. Stir to combine everything together.
  
• Spoon the eton mess into individual cups or into a large serving bowl. Top with the remaining strawberries and a sprinkle of sugar.
  

Nutrition Facts

Easy Eton Mess Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 240 Calories from Fat 189

% Daily Value*

Fat 21g32%

Saturated Fat 13g65%

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 5g

Cholesterol 65mg22%

Sodium 16mg1%

Potassium 187mg5%

Carbohydrates 13g4%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 11g12%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 850IU17%

Vitamin C 51mg62%

Calcium 52mg5%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.