Eton Mess For A Crowd

Sweet sunshine and strawberries!

Hey there!

I hope you are enjoying the sunshine! The first weekend of proper summer sun is here and it also happens to fall on my birthday so this weekend we had a little gathering with friends. Eton Mess, a showstopping dessert that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor was on the menu and at this time of year when Irish strawberries are at their best it’s the no fuss dessert you’ll want to have up your sleeve.

Eton Mess For A Crowd

Picture this: layers of crushed meringue folded through delicately whipped double cream, laced with the aromatic essence of vanilla bean paste and a dusting of icing sugar. To top it all off, simple sweet macerated Irish strawberries. The stuff of summer dreams!

Serves 6

Ingredients:

- 500g fresh Irish strawberries, hulled and halved

- 300ml double cream

- 3 tablespoons icing sugar

- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

- 6-8 store-bought meringue nests, roughly crushed

- Fresh mint leaves, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine the strawberries and 1 tablespoon of icing sugar. Set aside to macerate while you prepare the rest of the dessert.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk the double cream, remaining icing sugar, and vanilla bean paste until soft peaks form. Be careful not to overmix – you want a beautifully luscious texture with no graininess!

3. Gently fold the crushed meringue nests into the whipped cream mixture.

4. Now, it's time to assemble! Use a large serving platter and begin layering the Eton Mess. Start with a spoonful of the meringue and cream mixture, then add a layer of macerated strawberries and more crush meringue. Repeat this process, creating beautiful alternating layers in a large pile.

5. Finish off your Eton Mess with a final flourish of macerated strawberries on top.

6. To add a touch of freshness and vibrancy, garnish each serving with a few mint leaves.

7. Finally, grab a spoon and serve straight to the table.