Keep It Simple {Recipe: Easy Eton Mess for Two}

It's strawberry season and lately the strawberries I've been purchasing are so good! So, I wanted to make a simple dessert that highlighted the flavor of the strawberries and I wanted it to be lighter than strawberry shortcake. The first dessert to pop in my head to accomplish this is Eton Mess. This is a simple version of the classic British dessert to serve 2, but can easily be adjusted to serve more. 

Easy Eton Mess for Two

For Meringue Cookies:

1 egg white, at room temperature

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

1/3 cup superfine sugar (regular granulated sugar will work)

pinch of salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 225ºF.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. Place egg white in the bowl of a stand mixer* and beat egg white and cream of tartar on high until frothy. Slowly add sugar, about one tablespoon at a time, with the mixer running; add pinch of salt and vanilla. Continue to beat until glossy and stiff peaks are formed. Drop by tablespoonful onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes, then turn oven off. Without opening the oven door, leave in the oven for an additional hour. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks in a cool dry place or in the freezer for a couple of months. 

Yields 6-8 cookies. 

*Note: a regular mixer can be used, although it is just easier to add the sugar slowly using a stand mixer.

Because the meringue cookies will be crumbled, there is no need to make them look pretty. 

For Eton mess:

4-6 meringue cookies

1 pint strawberries

1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon superfine or regular granulated sugar, depending on sweetness of strawberries and taste.

1 container whipped topping, thawed*

Crumble or chop meringue cookies into small pieces; set aside. Chop strawberries, place in a medium mixing bowl and stir in sugar until dissolved.  In two dessert cups, layer ingredients starting with whipped topping, then meringue cookie crumbles, and top with strawberry mixture; repeat. 

2-4 Eton Mess desserts can be made, depending on size of desserts desired. 

*Not an ad, just a fan.

Note: I use Truwhip topping because it can be refrozen after thawing. Fresh whipping cream is traditionally used, but I find for just 2 servings the rest of the whipped cream goes to waste. With the frozen whipped topping, I can thaw it, use what I need, then refreeze. Also, a bit of vanilla ice cream layered in is a delicious addition to this dessert. If using, start with ice cream, then whipped topping, meringue crumbles, and top with prepared strawberries. 

Enjoy!