Name: Best Eton Mess
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 2 cups heavy cream; 2 tablespoons white sugar, divided; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups fresh raspberries, divided; 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries, divided; 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar; 1 teaspoon rose water; 8 small plain meringue cookies

Best Eton Mess

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This is the best variation of Eton mess I have ever tasted! This recipe layers meringue with a creamy mixture of macerated strawberries and raspberries in dessert glasses for a delicious sweet treat.

Barbara Sauermann

Updated on June 12, 2024

strawberry-rhubarb eaton mess topped with whipped cream

Prep Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

20 mins

Servings:

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Eton mess might feel like a weird name, but this dessert is most certainly not a weird treat. The name is not for nothing either: Many believe Eton mess came from Eton College, and could be well over a century old. The best recipes follow tradition—and this one does just that.

Eton mess is a classic British dessert great on hot summer days when you want to whip up something simple. The classic recipe includes essentially three ingredients: berries, meringue cookies, and cream. All of these are easy to have on hand and can create a nice berry vanilla dessert in about 20 minutes.

Strawberries are the most traditional choice, but you can use any berries you like. Raspberries, which are great in the summer, are included in the recipe and help shake up the sweetness. Vanilla extract, balsamic vinegar, sugar, and a small amount of rose water, made by steeping rose petals in water, all finish the flavor.

This dessert is a great one to change and make your own: Add whipped cream at the end, use a different kind of meringue cookie, or switch out cookies altogether for chunks of vanilla cake.

Editorial contributions by Keaton Larson

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Ingredients

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Original recipe (1X) yields 8 servings

2 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons white sugar, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups fresh raspberries, divided
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries, divided
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon rose water (optional)
8 small plain meringue cookies

Directions

Beat cream in a chilled glass or metal bowl with an electric mixer until frothy. Add 1 tablespoon sugar and vanilla extract gradually, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form. Keep cream chilled in the refrigerator.
Combine 1/2 of the raspberries, 1/2 of the strawberries, remaining 1 tablespoon sugar, and balsamic vinegar in a bowl; mash berries with a fork and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
To serve, combine mashed fruit and cream in a bowl. Add the remaining strawberries, raspberries, and rose water; fold everything together.
Place your meringues in a bowl and break them up into a mix of small and big chunks for a variation in texture.
Layer meringues and cream mixture into dessert bowls or glasses and serve immediately.

Cook’s Note

For a different presentation, serve one meringue per person and spoon the berries and cream mixture into the hollow of each meringue.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

396	Calories
29g	Fat
32g	Carbs
4g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 396
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 29g	38%
Saturated Fat 16g	81%
Cholesterol 67mg	22%
Sodium 111mg	5%
Total Carbohydrate 32g	12%
Dietary Fiber 3g	12%
Total Sugars 19g
Protein 4g	8%
Vitamin C 34mg	38%
Calcium 61mg	5%
Iron 2mg	12%
Potassium 224mg	5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.