Make the most of strawberry season with this mouthwatering Eton Mess recipe!

This classic English dessert combines fresh strawberries, crunchy meringue cookies, and creamy whipped cream.

It’s super quick, taking only 15 minutes to make using store-bought meringues. Perfect for hot summer days when these delightful berries are at their best!

Strawberry Eton Mess dessert in a glass, showcasing layers of meringues, whipped cream, and fresh strawberries on a vibrant blue background.

What is Eton Mess?

Eton Mess, a classic British dessert, is named after the prestigious Eton College in England. This dessert combines fresh strawberries, whipped cream, and meringues.

It’s typically served in glasses or a serving dish, either layered like a parfait or with all components mixed together.

No matter how you serve it, this summer dessert is perfect for any occasion. Whether enjoyed casually or served to impress your guests, it never disappoints!

If you have extra strawberries, try making some baked strawberry donuts, an avocado strawberry smoothie, or a refreshing frozen strawberry lemonade.

Why you’ll love this strawberry dessert

  • Easy and quick: this Eton Mess recipe takes just minutes to prepare, making it perfect for a last-minute dessert.
  • Seasonal delight: ideal for spring and summer when strawberries are at their peak.
  • No-bake: no need to turn on the oven, keeping your kitchen cool.
  • Make ahead: You can prepare each component in advance and assemble them just before serving.
  • Versatile: the recipe is easily customizable to your liking, so you can use different fruits, toppings, and even make it vegan!

Ingredients & substitutions

Ingredients used to make Eton Mess.

Here are some helpful notes about the key ingredients for this Eton Mess dessert:

  • Strawberries: look for plump, red berries with fresh green leaves. If fresh strawberries are not available, frozen strawberries or other fruits make excellent substitutes.
  • Cream: opt for heavy cream with at least 35% fat content for that perfect consistency. Remember to chill the cream, bowl, and whisk attachment before whipping. Avoid using canned whipped cream or cool whip. Coconut whipped cream is a great dairy-free alternative.
  • Sweetener: I used granulated sugar for the strawberries and powdered sugar for the whipped cream because it dissolves more easily. You can swap both sugars for honey or maple syrup if you prefer natural sweeteners.
  • Meringue cookies: store-bought meringues work wonderfully, and you can break them into various-sized pieces. Feel free to make your own meringue, but keep in mind that humid weather can make this challenging.

See the recipe card below for a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions.

How to make Eton Mess

Recipe variations

  • Fruits: While strawberries are traditional, experiment with different fruits like blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, or tropical fruits.
  • Healthier version: substitute half of the cream with low-fat Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
  • Make it vegan: use coconut cream and Aquafaba meringues, which are an egg-free alternative.
  • Chocolate version: add some chocolate chips or chocolate shavings to the whipped cream.
  • Toppings: top with crushed cookies or nuts.

Make-ahead tips

You can prepare each component in advance:

Whip the cream a couple of hours ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. I don’t recommend making it a day in advance, as it may lose its texture and deflate.

Make the strawberry sauce the day before for even better flavor.

Prepare or buy the meringue cookies a few days ahead and keep them at room temperature.

Assemble your strawberry delight just before serving to keep the meringue crisp. It takes only a couple of minutes to put together!

Frequently Asked Questions


Can I use Cool Whip instead of whipped cream?

While you can use Cool Whip, it won’t have the same light and fluffy texture as whipped cream.


Can I make this recipe vegan?

Yes, you can use whipped coconut cream instead of heavy cream and vegan meringue cookies instead of regular ones.


Can I make Eton Mess ahead of time and refrigerate it?

It’s best to assemble it just before serving to maintain the texture of the meringues. However, you can prepare the components in advance and store them separately. 

Two glasses of Eton Mess on a blue background with crushed meringues.

Have you tried this strawberry Eton Mess yet? Share your feedback, variations, or any questions you have in the comments below. We’re here to help!

How To Make It: Strawberry Eton Mess

(5 stars) 46 ratings
Enjoy the delightful flavors of Strawberry Eton Mess, featuring fresh strawberries, whipped cream, and store-bought meringue cookies. This scrumptious dessert is perfect for spring and summer gatherings or as a quick treat to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Ingredients

For the strawberry sauce:

  • 1 lb (450 g) fresh strawberries hulled
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • tablespoon lemon juice

For the whipped cream:

  • 1½ cup (350 ml) heavy cream or whipping cream chilled
  • tablespoon powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the meringue layer:

  • 2 oz. (56 g) store-bought meringue cookies crushed

Decoration (optional)

  • sliced strawberries
  • meringue pieces

Instructions

Strawberry sauce:

  • Place ⅓ (150 g) of the strawberries in a medium bowl along with the lemon juice and sugar. Mash them with a fork or puree them in a blender. Roughly chop the remaining strawberries and add them to the bowl. Stir well to combine.

Whipped cream:

  • Using an electric mixer with a whisk attachment, beat cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract on medium/high speed until soft peaks form.

Meringue layer:

  • Crumble the meringue cookies into pieces of various sizes, either with your hands or a rolling pin

Assemble:

  • Layer the Eton Mess in four glasses. Start with some spoonfuls of strawberry sauce, then add the whipped cream and crushed meringues. Repeat the layering until the glass is full.
  • Decorate with sliced strawberries and a few meringue pieces. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Meringues: I used 9 store-bought mini meringue shells. Feel free to make your own or use meringues of different sizes.
  • Whipping cream: make sure to chill the cream, bowl, and whisk attachment before whipping. Choose a cream with a fat content of at least 35%. If you are lactose intolerant or prefer to avoid dairy, use coconut whipped cream instead of regular cream.
  • Strawberries: if fresh strawberries are not available, you can use frozen ones or substitute them with another type of fruit.
  • Healthier version: for a lighter option, consider substituting half of the cream with low-fat Greek yogurt. 
  • Make it vegan: use whipped coconut cream instead of heavy cream and vegan meringue cookies instead of regular ones.
  • Make-ahead: prepare the whipped cream and strawberries a few hours ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use them.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 portion, Calories: 414 kcal, Carbohydrates: 32 g, Protein: 3 g, Fat: 31 g, Saturated Fat: 22 g, Cholesterol: 13 mg, Sodium: 1 mg, Sugar: 29 g
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