Eton Mess with Strawberries and Elderflower Cream

A light and refreshing dessert featuring crushed meringue, fresh strawberries, and elderflower-infused cream. Perfect for ending a summery meal.

Prep Time

15 minutes

Total Time

45 minutes

Calories

425 kcal

Difficulty

Easy

Equipment

3 items

Cost

£1.40/serving

Season:

Meal Type:

Cuisine:

Mood:

Ingredients

Servings

2largeEgg whites(Room temperature)

£0.20

100gCaster sugar(Finely granulated)

£0.25

500gFresh strawberries(Hulled and halved or quartered)

£3.00

250mlDouble cream(Heavy cream)

£1.80

2tbspElderflower cordial(Or elderflower syrup)

£0.30

1tbspIcing sugar(For dusting the meringue)

£0.05

Total Cost

£5.60

£1.40 per serving

Instructions

1.
Preheat the oven to 100°C (212°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2.
In a clean, dry bowl, whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
3.
Gradually add the caster sugar, a tablespoon at a time, whisking well after each addition until the meringue is glossy and smooth.
4.
Spoon or pipe the meringue onto the prepared baking sheet into small nests or rough shapes.
5.
Bake for 60-90 minutes, or until the meringues are dry and crisp. Turn off the oven and let the meringues cool completely inside with the door slightly ajar.
6.
While the meringues are baking, prepare the strawberries. Hull and halve or quarter them depending on their size.
7.
In a separate bowl, whip the double cream until soft peaks form.
8.
Gently fold in the elderflower cordial until just combined. Be careful not to over-whip.
9.
To assemble the Eton Mess, lightly crush the meringues into smaller pieces.
10.
Layer the crushed meringues, strawberries, and elderflower cream in glasses or bowls.
11.
Dust with icing sugar and serve immediately.

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My Notes

Nutrition Information

Nutrition per serving (232g)

425 kcal / 1778 kJ

Carbs

37g

14% of RDA

Fat

30g

43% of RDA

Protein

2.5g

5% of RDA

Detailed Breakdown

Fibre

1.5 g

5% of RDA

Sugar

35 g

39% of RDA

Sodium

25 mg

1% of RDA

Saturated Fat

19 g

95% of RDA

Chef's Tips

Make sure the bowl and whisk are completely clean and dry before whisking the egg whites for best results.

Don't over-bake the meringues, they should be dry and crisp, but still slightly chewy in the middle.

Assemble the Eton Mess just before serving to prevent the meringues from becoming soggy.

For an extra touch, you can macerate the strawberries with a little sugar and balsamic vinegar for about 30 minutes before assembling the dessert. This will intensify their flavor.

Cooking Equipment

Baking sheet

Mixer

Large bowl

Wine Pairings

No wine pairing suggestions available for this recipe.

Complete the Meal

Main Course

Grilled Parsnip Spears with Honey-Thyme Glaze

Sweet and savory grilled parsnip spears, perfect as a light appetizer or side dish. The honey-thyme glaze adds a touch of elegance and complements the parsnips' natural sweetness.

35 minutes

4 servings