For a fast, easy and super impressive dessert, look no further than eton mess! Get this crunchy meringue dessert on the table in just 5 minutes using store bought meringue nests, whipped cream and fresh strawberries.
In This Post You’ll Learn
Why We Love This
Eton mess is one of our favourite quick and easy dessert recipes! It’s delicious and looks spectacular with (almost) zero effort.
The decadent combo of crunchy meringue, sweet fruit and whipped cream is the best way to finish a meal – especially as a cheeky weeknight dessert or after a full Sunday chicken roast.
We usually make strawberry eton mess (see the full recipe below), but feel free to adapt the recipe with your fav fruit combinations or to use up leftover coulis, jams or spreads!
Related: Easy Pavlova / Meringue Roulade / Matchsticks
Topping Ideas
Get creative for a different eton mess dessert experience every time! Try different topping combinations to see which style you like best, or pair a sweet topping with a sour topping for the perfect flavour balance. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Fresh Fruit – Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, kiwifruit, mango and banana pair perfectly with whipped cream.
Fruit Powder – Ie dried and finely ground fruit as a colourful garnish. We used beetroot powder for a cute pop of colour without changing the flavour of the dish.
Berry Coulis – Check out our vanilla blancmange for an easy blackberry coulis recipe.
Spreads – Lemon curd, speculoos spread, Nutella, chocolate sauce or chocolate cream.
Healthy Toppings – Serve with fresh Greek yoghurt and granola for crunch.
Chocolate – Chocolate buttons, shaved chocolate, chocolate hagelslag sprinkles.
Other Sweet Treats – Top with your favourite lollies or candy, marshmallows, stewed fruit (apples, rhubarb or peaches would be amazing!). You could even top them with leftover apple crumble or persimmon pie.
What is Eton Mess?
Eton Mess is a classic British dessert traditionally made with meringue, whipped cream and fresh berries.
Most versions are made from scratch by whipping egg whites and caster sugar until glossy, then baking the mixture to make the meringue. For our super quick eton mess recipe, we use store bought meringue nests or meringue cookies to save on time and effort.
There are three easy ways to serve this delicious meringue dessert:
- Keep the meringue nests whole and serve on a plate topped with whipped cream and sliced fruit like we did. Crumble an extra meringue nest over the top as a crunchy garnish.
- Assemble the dessert as layers of crumbled white meringue and bright red strawberries in tall glass jars for a fancy visual effect.
- Place the crushed meringues, cream and fruit into a bowl and mix everything together!
What You’ll Need
- Meringue Nests – We love using store bought meringue nests to save time. They also hold the whipped cream and fruit toppings really well. If you have the time you can make your own mini pavlova nests in any size or shape you like!
- Cream – Make your own whipped cream with thickened cream / heavy cream, caster sugar (aka superfine sugar) and vanilla essence. It always tastes so much better when you make it yourself! If you’re really short on time though, sub with ice cream or canned whipped cream.
- Fruit – Fresh strawberries are the most iconic eton mess topping, but feel free to get creative or use your own fruit combinations. Keep reading for more ideas.
- Mint – Optional for extra flavour and as a beautiful garnish.
How to Make Eton Mess
First, gather your ingredients: See recipe card below for measurements.
- Pour the thickened cream / heavy cream into a medium mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer). Add the caster sugar and vanilla essence and whip on medium high for 2-3 mins until the cream becomes light and fluffy and holds its shape.
- Place your meringue nests on serving plates or bowls and top with whipped cream, strawberries, kiwifruit and fresh mint leaves.
- Garnish with extra crumbled meringue and/or sprinkle with icing sugar.
Wandercook’s Tips
- Reduce the Sweetness – Add a little Greek yoghurt or creme fraiche into the cream to temper the sweetness.
- Storage – Once assembled, it’s best to serve eton mess straight away so the meringue will stay nice and crunchy. Store any leftover ingredients separately in airtight containers. Whipped cream and fruit should be stored in the fridge, but store bought meringues can be stored on the bench or in the pantry.
FAQs
Like sticky date pudding, this is a classic British dessert. But there are several captivating origin stories! Was it first served at the Eton versus Winchester cricket match in 1796? Was it popularised by the Eton Tuck Shop (colloquially known as the Sock Shop) as a sweet treat made of strawberries or bananas with cream or ice cream? Or was it the accidental inspiration of an overly excited Labrador that sat on someone’s picnic and squashed a strawberry pavlova? Personally? We really hope it was that last one!
The main differences are in the origin stories and the presentation. While eton mess is English, pavlova is claimed by both Australia and New Zealand as a dessert created in honour of the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. In terms of presentation, eton mess is usually served as an individual dessert, while pavlova is made as a huge dessert to feed a crowd.
We don’t recommend assembling the dessert in advance as the meringue will become soft and basically disappear into the cream. You can prepare all the toppings in advance (a few hours before, or the night before) and store them separately until you’re ready to serve.
Try these amazing recipes next:
- Best Pavlova Recipe – “Awesome recipe. No fail. I made mine into a wreath shape and it was a hit”
- Blancmange with Blackberry Coulis – An easy vanilla pudding made without gelatine!
- 3 Ingredient Jam & Cream Matchsticks – This nostalgic treat is quick, easy and kid friendly!
- Sago Pudding with Coconut & Mango – An easy make-ahead dessert that looks incredible.
- Easy Cheat’s Vanilla Slice Recipe – A simplified take on a favourite bakery treat!
★ Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment and a star rating below!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 meringue nests plus extra crumbled meringue to garnish
- 300 ml thickened cream / heavy cream 10 floz
- 80 g caster sugar / superfine sugar 2.8 oz
- 2 tsp vanilla essence
- 1 handful strawberries sliced or diced
- 1-2 kiwi fruit peeled, halved and sliced
Optional garnishes:
- 1 handful fresh mint leaves
- 1 tsp icing sugar / powdered sugar
Instructions
For the whipped cream:
- Pour the cream into a medium to large mixing bowl (or the bowl of your KitchenAid) and add the caster sugar and vanilla essence. Whip on medium to high for 2-3 mins until the cream becomes light and fluffy. Optional: Fold through any fruit puree/coulis (if using) until evenly blended.300 ml thickened cream / heavy cream, 80 g caster sugar / superfine sugar, 2 tsp vanilla essence
To assemble the eton mess:
- Place your meringue nests on serving plates or bowls and top with whipped cream, strawberries and kiwifruit.4 meringue nests, 1 handful strawberries, 1-2 kiwi fruit, 1 handful fresh mint leaves
- Optional garnish with and fresh mint leaves, extra crumbled meringue and/or sprinkle with icing sugar.1 tsp icing sugar / powdered sugar
Recipe Notes
- Meringue Nests – We love using store bought meringue nests to save time. They also hold the whipped cream and fruit toppings really well. If you have the time you can make your own mini pavlova nests in any size or shape you like!
- Cream – Make your own whipped cream with thickened cream / heavy cream, caster sugar (aka superfine sugar) and vanilla essence. It always tastes so much better when you make it yourself! If you’re really short on time though, sub with ice cream or canned whipped cream.
- Fruit – Fresh strawberries are the most iconic eton mess topping, but feel free to get creative or use your own fruit combinations. Keep reading for more ideas.
- Mint – Optional for extra flavour and as a beautiful garnish.
- Reduce the Sweetness – Add a little Greek yoghurt or creme fraiche into the cream to temper the sweetness.
- Storage – Once assembled, it’s best to serve eton mess straight away so the meringue will stay nice and crunchy. Store any leftover ingredients separately in airtight containers. Whipped cream and fruit should be stored in the fridge, but store bought meringues can be stored on the bench or in the pantry.
- More Creative Topping Ideas:
- Fresh Fruit – Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, kiwifruit, mango and banana pair perfectly with whipped cream.
- Fruit Powder – Ie dried and finely ground fruit as a colourful garnish. We used beetroot powder for a cute pop of colour without changing the flavour of the dish.
- Berry Coulis – Check out our vanilla blancmange for an easy blackberry coulis recipe.
- Spreads – Lemon curd, speculoos spread, Nutella, chocolate sauce or chocolate cream.
- Healthy Toppings – Serve with fresh Greek yoghurt and granola for crunch.
- Chocolate – Chocolate buttons, shaved chocolate, chocolate hagelslag sprinkles.
- Other Sweet Treats – Top with your favourite lollies or candy, marshmallows, stewed fruit (apples, rhubarb or peaches would be amazing!). You could even top them with leftover apple crumble or persimmon pie.
Nutrition
10 Comments
Deanna
24/05/2017 at 9:09 pmThis sounds so divine!! YUM!
Wandercooks
31/07/2017 at 12:05 pmWho would think something so quick to prepare could end up looking so impressive! ????
Sarah
24/05/2017 at 8:33 pm5 minutes? Sold! These look beautiful and delicious! Perfect, in my book!
Wandercooks
31/07/2017 at 12:04 pmYep haha – totally should be illegal shouldn’t it! 😛
jacquee | i sugar coat it!
24/05/2017 at 8:23 pmI LOVE a good Eton Mess!! It’s our go-to dessert for impromptu guests and get-togethers. Your photos looks scrumptious!
Wandercooks
31/07/2017 at 12:04 pmHigh five to that! ????
Carlos At Spoonabilities
24/05/2017 at 6:54 pmThis dessert look SO beautiful and yummy!
Wandercooks
31/07/2017 at 12:03 pmThanks Carlos, hope you enjoy!
Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry
24/05/2017 at 6:41 pmEasy, delicious and such a treat that it’s made in less than 5 mins! Looks scrumptious
Wandercooks
31/07/2017 at 12:03 pmYup haha – exactly why we love this one!