Strawberry vegan Eton Mess: a Berkshire summer treat
There’s something wonderfully irresistible about a classic Eton Mess. Sweet, crisp meringue, juicy strawberries and clouds of creamy goodness come together to create a dessert that was indeed invented at Eton college.
A strawberry vegan Eton Mess puts a plant-based twist on the traditional favourite, making it perfect for summer gatherings, afternoon treats or those moments when you want an impressive dessert with very little effort.
The best thing about Eton Mess is that it doesn’t need to look perfect. In fact, the more rustic and messy it looks, the better! Simply layer or gently fold together your ingredients, spoon everything into glasses or bowls, and finish with plenty of fresh strawberries.
A few very simple ingredients
To make this easy vegan dessert, you’ll need just a handful of ingredients. Fresh strawberries are the star of the show, so choose berries that are ripe, sweet and full of flavour.
You’ll also need vegan meringue, which are usually made using aquafaba — the liquid from chickpeas. They provide that wonderfully crisp, sweet texture associated with traditional Eton Mess.
For the creamy element, use your favourite vegan whipped cream. Coconut cream, soy-based whipping cream or another plant-based alternative can all work beautifully. A little vanilla extract adds extra flavour, while a touch of icing sugar can be added if your cream needs more sweetness.
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How to make vegan Eton Mess
Start by washing and preparing your strawberries. Slice most of them into bite-sized pieces, keeping a few whole or halved berries aside for decoration.
Next, gently crush the vegan meringues into irregular pieces. Don’t crumble them too finely — those larger chunks add a lovely contrast to the soft strawberries and creamy filling.
Whip your dairy-free cream until light and fluffy. If needed, add a little icing sugar and vanilla to taste.
Now comes the fun part. Gently fold together some of the strawberries, whipped cream and crushed meringue. You can also create individual layers in serving glasses for a prettier presentation.
Spoon the mixture into glasses or bowls, then top with the remaining strawberries and a few pieces of crunchy meringue. For an extra-special finish, add a small strawberry and a sprig of fresh mint.
The perfect summer dessert
This vegan Eton Mess is ideal for entertaining because it can be prepared with minimal fuss. You can prepare the strawberries and crush the meringue ahead of time, then assemble everything just before serving. This helps keep the meringue crisp and gives you that delicious combination of textures.
It’s also easy to customise. Try adding fresh raspberries or blueberries, a drizzle of strawberry sauce, or a little grated dairy-free chocolate for something different.
