Eton Mess with Strawberries and Elderflower Cream – A seasonal twist on a classic, traditional Eton Mess with squidgy meringues, fresh strawberries and whipped elderflower cream.

For Summer Parties!

I have been saving this recipe for Eton Mess with Strawberries and Elderflower Cream for a week or two now, hoping that “Flaming June” would make her appearance, but sadly to date it’s been “Wet and Windy June”.  Eton Mess has to be one of my favourite summer desserts, and, once the meringues are made it’s a doddle to assemble. Eton Mess is a classic English dessert which was first mentioned in print in 1893, and is widely believed to originate from the famous public school, Eton College, hence its name. It’s thought that it was first served at an annual cricket match between Eton College and Harrow School, as part of a traditional cricket tea. The original recipe as served in the college “Sock-Shop” aka “Tuck Shop” during the 1930’s, was made with mashed bananas and ice cream, with meringue and strawberries being added a few years later.

And, there is a similar dessert known as the “Lancing Mess” which is made with bananas, meringues and cream that is associated with Lancing College in West Sussex. The word “mess” is used in British recipes frequently, and historically it means several ingredients that have been mixed together, rather than a derogatory term for something bad! There is a similar Scottish version, that I also love, called“Cranachan”, comprising cream, honey, toasted oats, raspberries and Scotch whisky, of course. Whatever mess you decide to make, one thing’s for sure, as we are in the midst of British soft fruit season, now is definitely the time to make one of these delicious, fruit-loaded desserts using fresh British fruit. So, today, I’m going with Eton Mess with Strawberries and Elderflower Cream.

The addition of elderflower cordial to the cream adds a lovely, floral and delightfully scented twist to this classic pudding, especially when using my homemade Old Fashioned English Elderflower Cordial in the recipe. I love serving my Eton Mess recipe with edible flowers, as it extends that floral element right through to the table and makes the dessert look regal with a certain rustic elegance. I also love the idea of serving this creamy, fruit loaded dessert in water glasses, or even wine glasses, and in the past I have also served them in tea cups (on saucers) for that quintessential English look. However you decide to serve this recipe for Eton Mess, it’s sure to be a winner at any summer parties, fetes or family gatherings. You can make the meringues a few days or a week ahead, and then assemble them an hour before serving, meaning you can sit down to enjoy the party yourself.

The recipe for Eton Mess with Strawberries and Elderflower Cream is shared below and so let me know if you make these dreamy, creamy desserts this summer, and what occasion it was for! Karen 

Eton Mess with Strawberries and Elderflower Cream

Print recipe

• Print with main photo
• Print text only

Serves	4 to 6
Prep time	30 minutes
Cook time	1 hour, 30 minutes
Total time	2 hours
Allergy	Egg
Dietary	Vegetarian
Meal type	Dessert
Misc	Child Friendly, Gourmet, Pre-preparable, Serve Cold
Occasion	Barbecue, Birthday Party, Casual Party, Easter, Formal Party, Valentines day
Region	British
By author	Karen Burns-Booth

Eton Mess with Strawberries and Elderflower Cream - A seasonal twist on a classic, traditional Eton Mess with squidgy meringues, fresh strawberries and whipped elderflower cream.

Ingredients

• 2 large free-range egg whites
• 130g caster sugar
• 450g strawberries (hulled, and roughly chopped)
• 450ml double cream or whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon elderflower cordial
• 2 tablespoons icing sugar
• strawberry halves (to garnish)
• fresh mint leaves and edible flowers (to garnish)

Note

Eton Mess with Strawberries and Elderflower Cream - A seasonal twist on a classic, traditional Eton Mess with squidgy meringues, fresh strawberries and whipped elderflower cream.

Directions

Step 1	Pre-heat oven to 120C/250F/Gas mark 1 and line a large baking sheet with non-stick baking paper.
Step 2	Whisk the egg whites in a clean bowl until they hold stiff peaks - you can check this if you like by holding the bowl upside down!
Step 3	Add the caster sugar gradually in 3 to 4 lots, whisking after each addition.
Step 4	When all the sugar has been added you should have a glossy meringue mixture with stiff peaks that holds its shape.
Step 5	*Spoon dollops of the meringue onto the prepared baking sheet and bake on the bottom shelf of the oven for one to one and a half hours until the meringues are dry, cooked and come away from the baking paper with ease. Leave to cool and store in an airtight container until needed. *You can also pipe some meringues in small star shapes, to add as a garnish to the the desserts on serving.
Step 6	Blitz half of the strawberries or crush them with a potato masher, to make a thick strawberry compote type sauce.
Step 7	In a large bowl, whisk the cream with the elderflower cordial and icing sugar until it is thick and has soft peaks. DO NOT over whisk, or you will end up with butter!
Step 8	Roughly crush three-quarters of the meringues and tip them in with the remaining chopped strawberries, mix together gently. Add the cream and again mix gently a not to make a big pink mess!
Step 9	Spoon the Eton Mess mixture into water or wine glasses, scatter over the remaining crushed meringues, and then spoon over the strawberry compote sauce.
Step 10	Decorate with strawberries, fresh mint leaves and edible flowers.

More STRAWBERRY and ELDERFLOWER Recipes:

Elderflower, Rose and Strawberry Sorbet

Rhubarb, Rose & Strawberry Syrup for

Cocktails and Cordials

Sensational Summer Strawberries!

Strawberry “Clafoutis” (Custard Bakes)

Elderflower and Strawberry Cordial/Syrup

Fresh Strawberry Curd (Recipe)

Strawberry Fair Yoghurt Cupcakes Recipe

Wolds Way Lavender and Strawberry Fruit Cup

 Devon Cream Tea with Strawberry Jam and Scones

Apple, Lemon and Elderflower Drizzle Cake

An Old Cottage Garden and

Pink Gooseberry & Elderflower Jam Recipe

Strawberry & Elderflower Cake and Tart Topping

Royal Elderflower & Lemon Curd Butterfly Cakes

Mini Strawberry Trifles

Low Calorie Vanilla Bean Scones for a

Wimbledon Strawberries & Cream Tea

Vanilla, Strawberry & Rose Victoria Sponge Cake

Strawberries and Cream Jubilee Cakes