Discover an English favorite with this incredible Eton Mess dessert. Fresh strawberries, meringue pieces and whipped cream are combined for a fabulous treat!
If you’re into this one, you’ll also love my Cherries in the Snow recipe, too!
Step-by-step photos and instructions are below, but you can jump right to the recipe card if you wish!
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A dessert for the whole family, this recipe is one you’ll make all summer long. Sliced berries, fresh whipped cream and vanilla meringues are where it’s at!
You can throw this together in just a few minutes, and be ready to enjoy after dinner.
Hot tip: Put your bowl in the freezer for maximum coldness when whipping the cream!
What is Eton Mess? Where did it originate?
None of this can actually be agreed upon by anyone, so take this with a grain of salt.
Legend has it that this British dessert comes from way back in the day. Eton College was having a cricket match with another school, and had a pavlova in a basket for an after match treat. Allegedly, a dog sat on the basket or someone dropped the basket.
Either way the dessert got squished! The boys ate it anyway, and the classic dessert we know as Eton Mess was born.
However. And yes, there is a “however”. Many people dismiss all of this legend, and simply call the dessert Strawberry Mess.
I just call it delicious.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Super easy to make. I use store bought meringue to make this fast!
- No bake. No heating up the kitchen! Layers of strawberries, meringue and whipped cream needs no cooking.
- Perfect for summer!
Other summer desserts to love
Try my Strawberry Turnovers, Fruit Pizza, No Bake Blueberry Cheesecake, or this crazy good Blueberry Fluff Salad!
I have included step-by-step photos and instructions, as well as tips and tricks in the post. If you’d rather skip all that, scoot right on down to the full recipe card located at the bottom of the post.
Kylee’s Notes
Hot tip: Put your bowl in the freezer for maximum coldness when whipping the heavy cream!
Can you make Eton Mess ahead?
Sort of. You can compile the ingredients, but don’t combine them until ready to eat. The meringue will get soggy. We want crispy meringue!
Homemade whipped cream can be made a few hours ahead but may separate if left too long. The cream cheese will help to stabilize it, but still wait til serving!
How do I store this?
The whipped cream in this dessert will start to separate, and the meringues will soften, so this dessert isn’t ideal for leftovers or storing in the refrigerator. You can freeze it and have a yummy frozen dessert for later, but the thawed version won’t have the integrity of a freshly made Eton Mess.
Substitutions/Additions
You can absolutely use other fruits for this, like raspberries or blueberries, but strawberries are the most traditional ingredient for this dessert.
Add a little vanilla extract to the whipped cream for an extra boost of flavor.
Maple syrup can be replaced with honey or agave.
Meringues. I used these meringues (affiliate link), but if you can’t find store bought meringues, you can easily make homemade meringues yourself.
Key Recipe Ingredients
The full list of ingredients and amounts is found in the printable recipe card below.
How to make this recipe
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This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Put the large bowl you will use for the cream into the freezer or refrigerator to cool for 5 minutes.
Place chopped strawberries into a bowl and add the sugar and lemon juice. Mix lightly, let sit for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In the meantime, take the mixing bowl out of the freezer and either use use an electric mixer, or a hand mixer to beat the cream cheese until completely smooth. This should take about about 1-2 minutes on high speed.
Slowly beat in the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar (aka icing sugar), and maple syrup and beat for several minutes or until stiff peaks have completely formed.
In small cups or bowls, spoon in a layer of whipped cream. Add on the strawberries, and a layer of crushed meringue. Repeat the process until you have filled the cup or bowl.
Devour.
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Strawberry Eton Mess (English Dessert)
Ingredients
- 4 cups strawberries (hulled and chopped)
- 1 ½ tablespoon white sugar
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 ½ cup heavy whipping cream (cold)
- 1 ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 cups store bought meringues (roughly crushed)
Directions
Get Prepped
- Chill the bowl you will use for whipping the cream in the freezer or refrigerator for 5 minutes. Hull and chop 4 cups strawberries, and measure out all ingredients.
Prepare the Strawberries
- Place the chopped strawberries into a bowl and add 1 ½ tablespoon white sugar and 3 tablespoons lemon juice. Mix lightly and let the mixture sit for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to allow the flavors to meld.
Whip the Cream
- Remove the chilled bowl from the freezer. Use an electric mixer or hand mixer to beat 8 ounces cream cheese (softened) until completely smooth. Slowly add in 1 ½ cup heavy whipping cream, 1 ¼ cup powdered sugar, and 1 ½ tablespoon maple syrup. Continue beating for several minutes or until stiff peaks form.
Assemble the Dessert
- In small cups or bowls, spoon a layer of the whipped cream mixture. Add a layer of the strawberry mixture, followed by a layer of crushed meringue. Repeat the process until the cup or bowl is filled.
Serve
- Enjoy immediately, or refrigerate for up to an hour before serving.
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Notes
Nutrition Facts
Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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