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Easy British Eton Mess recipe with strawberries and meringue
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Easy British Eton Mess Recipe with Strawberries and Meringue

A simple British strawberry meringue dessert made with ripe strawberries, lightly sweetened whipped cream, and store-bought crisp meringues. Assemble it just before serving for the best mix of creamy, juicy, and crunchy textures.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds fresh strawberries hulled and sliced (680 g)
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar 12 g, optional, depending on strawberry sweetness
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice 5 mL, optional
  • 1 1/2 cups cold heavy whipping cream 360 mL
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar 15 g
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 5 mL
  • 3 cups store-bought crisp meringue cookies broken into bite-size pieces (about 3 ounces/85 g)

Instructions

  • Place about two-thirds of the sliced strawberries in a large bowl. Add the granulated sugar and lemon juice, if using, and gently stir. Lightly crush a few berries against the side of the bowl with a fork to create a little juice. Set aside while preparing the cream.
  • Pour the cold heavy cream into a chilled mixing bowl. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla. Beat with a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. The cream should hold its shape but still look smooth and spoonable; do not overbeat.
  • Reserve a small handful each of strawberries and meringue pieces for topping. Add the remaining strawberries and most of their juices to the whipped cream. Fold gently with a spatula just until streaked together.
  • Fold in about two-thirds of the broken meringue pieces. Keep the mixing light so some pieces remain crisp and some soften slightly in the cream.
  • Spoon the mixture into individual dessert glasses or a large serving bowl. Scatter the reserved strawberries and meringue over the top. Serve immediately for the best texture.