Description
Barefoot Contessa’s classic eton mess delights with layers of meringue, whipped cream, and fresh strawberries. Sweet British dessert combines crisp meringue shards, silky cream, and ruby-red berries that you’ll savor to the last spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 360ml (1½ cups) cold double cream (heavy cream)
- 200g (1 cup) caster sugar
- 2 packages (170g / 6 oz) fresh raspberries
- 3 bakery meringue shells (7.5 cm / 3-inch), broken into pieces
- 40g (3 tbsps) caster sugar
- 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tbsp framboise liqueur
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Raspberry Compote Creation: Gently crush raspberries with sugar and lemon juice in a sauté pan, releasing their natural essence and creating a vibrant base.
- Compote Reduction: Simmer the mixture over medium-high heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce transforms into a luscious, syrupy consistency. Incorporate framboise liqueur and whole raspberries, then chill completely.
- Whipped Cream Preparation: Utilize a stand mixer to whip heavy cream with vanilla extract and superfine sugar, achieving glossy, firm peaks that will provide a luxurious texture.
- Dessert Assembly: In clear serving glasses, artfully layer whipped cream, chilled raspberry compote, and delicate meringue fragments. Repeat the layering process 1-2 times to create a visually stunning presentation.
- Final Flourish: Garnish the dessert with a sprinkle of fresh raspberries and a crowning dollop of whipped cream. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to an hour to preserve the perfect temperature and textural harmony.
Notes
- Raspberry Ripeness Check: Select plump, deeply colored raspberries without soft spots or mold for the most intense flavor and best compote results.
- Temperature Matters: Ensure heavy cream is ice-cold before whipping to achieve maximum volume and stable peaks in the whipped cream.
- Liqueur Intensity Control: Add framboise gradually, tasting as you go to balance the raspberry compote’s sweetness without overpowering the delicate dessert.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare raspberry compote and whipped cream components up to 24 hours in advance, storing separately in the refrigerator for effortless assembly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 561
- Sugar: 72g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 25g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 120mg