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    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    Mixed Berry Eton Mess

    Published: Sep 25, 2017 · Modified: Feb 28, 2023 by Katelyn Theofanis · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · #sponsoredpost · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Need an impromptu dinner party dessert? Look no further than a simple Eton Mess recipe. An easy dessert, the Eton Mess ingredients are composed of whipped cream, crumbled meringue cookies, and macerated berries. Ready in just 30 minutes! 

    A completed and garnished Eton mess serving in a glass.

    Although this Eton Mess recipe may appear fancy and lavish, the ingredients are humble, simple, and easy to put together. Layers of whipped cream (or Chantilly Cream), crumbled meringue cookies, and macerated fruit (typically strawberries); an Eton Mess is the complete package when it comes to dessert.

    Eton Mess is lovely for a dinner party. It comes together so quickly and easily but looks impressive. You can make it in individual glasses or as one large trifle. If making one large trifle, you will have to adjust the recipe to the size of your serving dish. 

    Jump to:
    • Why You Will Love This Dessert
    • What's Eton Mess?
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Eton Mess
    • Equipment
    • Tips for Success
    • Make-Ahead and Storing
    • Variations
    • Other Recipes You Will Love 
    • FAQ
    • Related Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Why You Will Love This Dessert

    • Simple - Three elements and thirty minutes of total time is all that is needed for this simple no-bake dessert.
    • Few Ingredients - A dessert comprised of macerated berries, whipped cream, and {premade} meringue cookies, this recipe requires few ingredients and little labor.
    • Easy - Eton Mess is quick to make, especially when using premade meringue cookies. The beauty of this cream dessert is that despite its ease in process, it looks impressive!
    • Great for Sharing - Whether built in a trifle dish or in individual jars, Eton mess dessert is a fantastic way to end a dinner party or special event meal.

    What's Eton Mess?

    Eton Mess is a traditional English dessert dating back to the late 1800s. Its creation is linked to Eaton College and is believed to have originated there. Hence, the name "Eaton." Although in more modern times "Eaton mess" has been used by members of the UK's parliament in relation to Brexit, traditionally, the Eton Mess consists of layers of strawberries, bananas, or other Summertime fruit; whipped cream; and meringue.

    Although the name "mess" may refer to the appearance of the dessert when plated, Eton Mess's ingredients exhibit elegance and beauty, if plated mindfully. Indeed, the balance of textures between the crunchy meringue cookies and the softly whipped cream is divine. We all know strawberries and whipped cream are a match made in heaven, but Eton Mess goes one step further with sweet, crunchy meringue cookie crumbs in every bite.

    Ingredients

    The ingredients you need for this recipe.
    • Fresh Berries - This recipe is for a mixed berry Eton Mess. Use any combination of berries that you would like. As pictured, I used strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries.
    • Lemon Juice - Freshly squeezed.
    • Granulated Sugar
    • Meringue Cookies - Store-bought or homemade.
    • Heavy Whipping Cream - Keep the cream cold for whipping.
    • Powdered Sugar - The powdered sugar is for the whipped cream. You can use granulated sugar in place of the powdered sugar, if desired.
    • Pure Vanilla Extract - Use the good stuff!

    How to Make Eton Mess

    Macerated berries in a blue bowl.

    1 - Macerate 1 pint of sliced berries with 2 tablespoon granulated sugar and the juice of one lemon. Stir and allow to sit for 20-30 minutes.

    2 - Make a batch of fresh whipped cream. I prefer Chantilly cream, so I proceed with the following:

    1. In a chilled bowl, using the whisk attachment on an electronic mixer, whisk 8oz heavy cream on high until soft peaks form.
    2. Add ¼ cup of sifted powdered sugar and a teaspoon pure vanilla extract. Whisk only until incorporated, do not over-whip.
    Crushed meringue cookies in a zip-top bag.

    3 - Crumble up a package of meringue cookies. You can make a homemade batch of course. Crumble meringues in one of the two methods:

    1. In a gallon zip-top bag: Crush by hand by placing the meringue cookies in a zip-top bag. Seal and press the cookies down with your hand until they crumble.
    2. In a food processor: Transfer cookies to a large food processor. Pulse until crumbled. *Be careful with this method to avoid making "meringue dust".

    4 - Now it is the fun part: assembly! In desired serving dishes, layer whipped cream, crumbled meringues, and macerated strawberries. Repeat until desired height is reached.

    Whipped cream and crushed meringues topped with berries in a glass.

    5 - Serve immediately.

    Equipment

    • Kitchen Aid Standing Mixer - A standing mixer is 100-percent worth the investment. I am partial to Kitchen Aid. My light blue mixer is my baby!
    • Black and Decker Handheld Mixer - I love this handheld mixer. It comes with five attachments and a case for storage. I have had it for years and it still works great!
    • Rubber Spatula - You will need a rubber spatula for stirring and scraping.
    • Disposable Pastry Bags - While not absolutely necessary for this recipe, the whipped cream is best applied with a disposable pastry bag.

    Tips for Success

    PIPE THE WHIPPED CREAM - For the cleanest assembly and appearance, pipe the whipped cream (or Chantilly cream) into the dish when layering. Transfer the cream to a disposable pastry bag, no need for a tip, and pipe into the desired dish.

    SIFT THE POWDERED SUGAR - Powdered sugar has the tendency to clump up. To avoid clumps of sugar in the whipped cream, sift the sugar with a sieve prior to adding it to the whipped heavy cream.

    RESERVE FRESH BERRIES FOR GARNISH - Don't forget about the garnish! I like to pipe cream on the top of each serving, sprinkle additional meringue cookie crumbs, and add a few fresh (not macerated) berries as garnish.

    USE A COLD BOWL - Before whipping the cream, place the mixing bowl and whisk in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes, or until cold.

    The top of one serving of Eton mess in a glass.

    Make-Ahead and Storing

    • MAKE-AHEAD - Ideally, wait to assemble this dessert until service. At most, prepare Eton Mess up to 2 hours before serving.
    • STORAGE - Store the whipped cream and macerated berries in the refrigerator when not in use. Assembled dessert(s) stay fresh for up to 2 hours in the refrigerator before they begin to soften and start to weep.

    Variations

    • Use all of one type of berry. For example, strawberry Eton Mess or raspberry Eton Mess.
    • Macerate the berries with lime juice instead of lemon.
    • To make keto Eton Mess: Substitute all sugar items with monk fruit sugar substitutes (powdered and granulated) and keto (sugar-free) premade or homemade meringue cookies. Prioritize raspberries and strawberries, which are lower in carbs and higher in fiber than other berries.

    Other Recipes You Will Love 

    • Strawberry Shortcake for Two
    • Strawberries and Cream Rice Krispie Treats
    • Strawberry Crumb Bars
    • What is the Difference between Chantilly and Whipped Cream?
    • Easy Chocolate Mousse with Cocoa Powder
    Two completed desserts served in glasses and garnished with berries.

    FAQ

    Can Eton Mess be made in advance?

    You can make this dessert up to 2 hours in advance. The longer it sits, however, the more the whipped cream will begin to deflate and separate. The meringue cookies will lose some of their crunchy texture as well. I suggest making Eton Mess as close to service as able for the best results.

    Can I use frozen berries in this recipe?

    Do not use frozen berries in this recipe.

    Related Recipes

    • A bowl of pastry cream with a spoon.
      How to Make Pastry Cream (Crème Patissière)
    • Individual Banana Pudding Cups
    • A small bowl filled with freshly piped Chantilly cream.
      What is the difference between Chantilly Cream and Whipped Cream?
    • Strawberry Cheesecake Fluff

    📖 Recipe

    A completed and garnished Eton mess serving in a glass.

    Mixed Berry Eton Mess

    Katelyn Theofanis
    Eton Mess is an easy dessert made from whipped cream, crumbled meringues, and macerated berries.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Passive Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 319 kcal

    Equipment

    • Standing Mixer
    • Rubber Spatula

    Ingredients
      

    Chantilly Cream

    • 8 oz heavy whipping cream cold
    • ¼ cup powdered sugar sifted
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

    Macerated Berries

    • 1 pint mixed berries sliced
    • 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
    • 1 lemon juiced

    Meringues

    • 6 oz meringue cookies crumbled

    Instructions
     

    For the Berries

    • Macerate 1 pint of sliced berries with 2 tablespoon granulated sugar and the juice of one lemon. Stir and allow to sit for 20-30 minutes.

    For the Chantilly Cream

    • In a chilled bowl, using the whisk attachment or on an electronic mixer, whisk 8oz heavy cream on high until soft peaks form.
    • Add sifted powdered sugar and a teaspoon pure vanilla extract. Whisk only until incorporated, do not over-whip.

    Assembly

    • In desired serving dishes, layer Chantilly cream, crumbled meringues, and macerated strawberries. Repeat until desired height is achieved.
    • Serve immediately.

    Notes

    • Lime juice can be used in place of the lemon. 
    • MAKE-AHEAD - Ideally, wait to assemble this dessert until service. At most, prepare Eton Mess up to 2 hours before serving.
    • STORAGE - Store the whipped cream and macerated berries in the refrigerator when not in use. Assembled dessert(s) stay fresh for up to 2 hours in the refrigerator before they begin to soften and start to weep.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 319kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 2gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 78mgSodium: 24mgPotassium: 145mgFiber: 4gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 894IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 54mgIron: 1mg
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    Hi, welcome to Sugary Logic! I'm Katelyn. I am an experienced chef and home cook publishing simple and easy recipes here on my food blog, Sugary Logic. Sugary Logic's recipes will save you time and allow you to create fast and easy meals as sophisticated as any restaurant meal.

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