Description
Ina Garten’s classic Eton mess combines fresh strawberries, whipped cream, and crisp meringue in a delightful British dessert. Sweet layers create a perfect balance of textures that will charm guests at any summer gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 (6 oz/170 g) packages fresh raspberries
- 1 cup (200 g) plus 3 tbsps sugar
- 1½ cups (360 ml) cold heavy cream
- 3 (3-inch) bakery meringue shells, broken in pieces
- 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tbsp framboise liqueur
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Raspberry Essence Preparation: Merge raspberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a sauté pan, gently crushing berries. Elevate heat to medium-high, allowing mixture to reach a vigorous boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes until syrup thickens dramatically.
- Flavor Infusion: Incorporate whole raspberries and framboise liqueur into the reduced sauce. Transfer to a chilled container and refrigerate, enabling flavors to harmonize and intensify.
- Cream Transformation: Utilize an electric mixer with whisk attachment, blending heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract. Whip at medium-high speed until achieving voluminous, firm peaks that maintain structural elegance.
- Dessert Composition: In clear glasses, artfully layer whipped cream, drizzle raspberry sauce, and scatter crumbled meringue pieces. Repeat layering technique, culminating with a vibrant raspberry sauce finale and a crowning cream flourish.
- Presentation: Serve immediately for optimal gustatory experience, or refrigerate briefly to maintain pristine texture and temperature before presenting this luxurious dessert.
Notes
- Raspberry Syrup Perfection: Crush berries gently to release natural sweetness and create a rich, concentrated flavor without losing texture.
- Cream Whipping Technique: Use cold heavy cream and chill the mixing bowl to achieve maximum volume and stable whipped peaks that hold their shape perfectly.
- Layering Strategy: Build dessert in clear glasses to showcase beautiful color contrasts and create visually stunning presentation that delights guests.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare components separately up to one hour before serving, allowing flavors to meld while maintaining optimal freshness and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 356
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 30 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg