Eton mess

Eton mess is a traditional English dessert that originated at Eton College in the 19th century. The dish is a mixture of whipped cream, meringue, and fruit, usually strawberries.

The earliest known recipe for Eton mess appeared in print in 1837, in a book called The English Cookery Book. The recipe was for a dish called "mess" which was made with cream, fruit, and meringue. It is unclear how the dish got its name, but it is likely that it was named after the college where it was created.

Eton mess became popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and recipes for the dish began appearing in cookbooks and magazines. The dish was served at high society events such as Wimbledon and Ascot, and it became a popular choice for afternoon tea.

Advice

When making an eton mess, it is important to use the freshest ingredients possible. Start with the freshest strawberries you can find and be sure to wash and hull them before use. Use a good quality meringue, or if you're feeling adventurous, make your own. If you choose to make your own, be sure to whip your egg whites to stiff peaks and bake the meringue until it is crisp. For a creamier texture, use heavy cream or double cream instead of plain yogurt. Finally, add some zing to your eton mess by adding a squeeze of lemon juice, some vanilla extract, or a sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg. Enjoy!

Jump to: Ingredient Breakdown Insights

Recipes

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Strawberry Eton Mess

  • strawberry
  • heavy cream
  • lime zest lime juice
  • confectioners sugar
  • vanilla meringue cooky
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Cranberry-Lemon Eton Mess

  • FOR ASSEMBLY
  • lemon curd
  • CRANBERRY JAM
  • ginger
  • cranberry
  • orange juice
  • sugar
  • MERINGUE
  • cornstarch
  • sugar
  • vanilla extract
  • tartar cream
  • salt
  • egg white
  • spice cookie crumb
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Brian's Eton Mess

  • cornish clotted cream
  • vanilla sugar
  • strawberry
  • vin santo dessert wine
  • scone
  • raspberry
  • strawberry
  • double cream
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Eton Mess

  • Rhubarb Compote
  • cocoa nib
  • bean
  • grand marnier
  • salt
  • rhubarb
  • sugar
  • PINK PEPPERCORN MERINGUE
  • pink peppercorn
  • sugar
  • bean
  • salt
  • cornstarch
  • egg white
  • CARDAMOM CREAM
  • sugar
  • cardamom
  • heavy cream

Ingredient Breakdown

 
sugar
strawberry
heavy cream
cornstarch
salt
egg white
confectioners sugar
meringue
raspberry
bean
lime zest lime juice
vanilla meringue cooky
whipping cream
lemon curd
ginger
cranberry
orange juice
vanilla extract
tartar cream
spice cookie crumb
cornish clotted cream
vanilla sugar
vin santo dessert wine
scone
double cream
cocoa nib
pink peppercorn
cardamom
grand marnier
rhubarb
vanilla bean
pistachio
white vinegar
mint

Insights